Went out with Bay Breeze Dive Center on 7/22/09 in Gulf Breeze, FL. Capt. Dave piloted their in-house 6 pack (26 footer?) and Kent Stone was DM for the morning.
A few tense moments passed as we found out (after our hour drive) that the alternator
went up on the boat we were scheduled for. Kudos to Kent was able to shuffle some folks around
and got us off the dock just after 8, almost on schedule. On the trip were my wife and 17 year old with my my 9 year old watching bubbles, plus a father and son.
Our first stop (after getting petrol across the bay) was the USS Massachussettes.
Conditions were on the poor side, with viz around 20' and a bit of current and surge
pushing us around. Min temp was 78 but we were right on the thermocline so moving
in and out of warm/cold throughout the dive with the accompanying "haze". Max depth
of 29' and 29 minutes was more than enough at the Mass. on this day. Here's a few pics:
Gives you an idea of the visibility - part of the USS Massachussettes wreck
My wife and her giant snail
One of numerous large jellies in the area
The "Friends of the USS Mass." plaque
From here we headed to the coal barges. Much better than the Mass today - 78 at depth, 55' and 46 minutes BT,
viz was 30 to 40 for the most part, no current. A pretty cool site to dive, with lots of
overhang and a decent variety of fish plus huge schools of baitfish/silversides. A few pics from the barges
Cowfish (specific variety?)
??? - help
Gulf toadfish - an ugly cousin of Cozumel's splendid toadfish :shocked2:
Juvenile spotted drum and a yellowline arrow crab (I think)
Spotfin butterfly "hiding" in the gorgonians
One of two octopus seen on the barges
Huge schools of baitfish/silverside-like fish were all over the barges.
The rest of the pics are in my gallery -
ScubaBoard Gallery - sladerer Gallery
Headed to the Oriskany tomorrow, hopefully with good conditions for more pics.
A few tense moments passed as we found out (after our hour drive) that the alternator
went up on the boat we were scheduled for. Kudos to Kent was able to shuffle some folks around
and got us off the dock just after 8, almost on schedule. On the trip were my wife and 17 year old with my my 9 year old watching bubbles, plus a father and son.
Our first stop (after getting petrol across the bay) was the USS Massachussettes.
Conditions were on the poor side, with viz around 20' and a bit of current and surge
pushing us around. Min temp was 78 but we were right on the thermocline so moving
in and out of warm/cold throughout the dive with the accompanying "haze". Max depth
of 29' and 29 minutes was more than enough at the Mass. on this day. Here's a few pics:
Gives you an idea of the visibility - part of the USS Massachussettes wreck
My wife and her giant snail
One of numerous large jellies in the area
The "Friends of the USS Mass." plaque
From here we headed to the coal barges. Much better than the Mass today - 78 at depth, 55' and 46 minutes BT,
viz was 30 to 40 for the most part, no current. A pretty cool site to dive, with lots of
overhang and a decent variety of fish plus huge schools of baitfish/silversides. A few pics from the barges
Cowfish (specific variety?)
??? - help
Gulf toadfish - an ugly cousin of Cozumel's splendid toadfish :shocked2:
Juvenile spotted drum and a yellowline arrow crab (I think)
Spotfin butterfly "hiding" in the gorgonians
One of two octopus seen on the barges
Huge schools of baitfish/silverside-like fish were all over the barges.
The rest of the pics are in my gallery -
ScubaBoard Gallery - sladerer Gallery
Headed to the Oriskany tomorrow, hopefully with good conditions for more pics.
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