My group of 4 from CHUM club in Houston hit town for a weekend of diving. We had three great offshore dives Friday and I'll report on them later. Today we went out with Dr Dive with Capt. Jim and Eric (Oriskany Divemaster). I'll add a few pics later if any are worthwhile.
I must admit when we saw the boat yesterday we were concerned it would be cramped and no respite from the sun. We couldn't see it was a walkaround console and had plenty of comy bow space. We had plenty of space and I liked the method of each diver storing their items in their bucket, kept little things from sprawling across the boat.
We had 2-3 foot seas on the way out and caught air a few times but there was never any doubt about going. On site were 3 or 4 other boats, mild current, and about 70' viz. Water temp was in upper 60's at depth. 3 of us had been here several times so we took the virgin to the deck so he could be deflowered. After a brief photo op we ascended to the bridge and control rooms where banded butterfly had taken over a few control panel boxes. The time on the deck had taken it's toll on our ndl and air so we spiraled up to the top then over to our ascent line.
Surface interval was spent laughing at some people in a private boat try for 30 minutes to tie into a buoy, with a guy in no suit probably freezing his safety sausage off. Seas had calmed down to slow 1 footers with an occasional lazy two.
Second dive we descended to 110' (our tie-in was at 106') and entered the tower. That dive was spent exploring the couple of rooms on each level before proceeding up the stair, till we exited at a level below the top. Even though we were experienced, Eric was always hanging around keeping an eye out, a couple of times I'd pass by a opening and he'd be looking in and we'd exchange ok signals. I went into deco after exiting while waiting for the other buddy team to exit (damn my suunto) so enjoyed an extra 5 minutes hang time.
It was a great day on the water, the ride back in smooth and fast, but once again I was lax with the spf and got lobstered.
Eric, it was a joy to go out with you and great conversation, I'll look you up next time I'm in the area.
I must admit when we saw the boat yesterday we were concerned it would be cramped and no respite from the sun. We couldn't see it was a walkaround console and had plenty of comy bow space. We had plenty of space and I liked the method of each diver storing their items in their bucket, kept little things from sprawling across the boat.
We had 2-3 foot seas on the way out and caught air a few times but there was never any doubt about going. On site were 3 or 4 other boats, mild current, and about 70' viz. Water temp was in upper 60's at depth. 3 of us had been here several times so we took the virgin to the deck so he could be deflowered. After a brief photo op we ascended to the bridge and control rooms where banded butterfly had taken over a few control panel boxes. The time on the deck had taken it's toll on our ndl and air so we spiraled up to the top then over to our ascent line.
Surface interval was spent laughing at some people in a private boat try for 30 minutes to tie into a buoy, with a guy in no suit probably freezing his safety sausage off. Seas had calmed down to slow 1 footers with an occasional lazy two.
Second dive we descended to 110' (our tie-in was at 106') and entered the tower. That dive was spent exploring the couple of rooms on each level before proceeding up the stair, till we exited at a level below the top. Even though we were experienced, Eric was always hanging around keeping an eye out, a couple of times I'd pass by a opening and he'd be looking in and we'd exchange ok signals. I went into deco after exiting while waiting for the other buddy team to exit (damn my suunto) so enjoyed an extra 5 minutes hang time.
It was a great day on the water, the ride back in smooth and fast, but once again I was lax with the spf and got lobstered.
Eric, it was a joy to go out with you and great conversation, I'll look you up next time I'm in the area.
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