San Diego Dives - Videos

Some want more DIR dive reports. Here's my contribution. Three recreational dives from this past Saturday. Three of the divers completed Fundies earlier this year.

-----------------

This past Saturday, Blackwood, ligersandtions, xstephenx, jenth, and I got on the Yellow Boat for a day of recreational diving off Pt Loma in San Diego. We arrived at the Shelter Island boat ramp around 8am, and soon began loading gear. It's a small boat, and the plan was to get enough gear on for two dives, after which we'd come back to swap out spent cylinders for new ones. Plan was to take three scooters (what we could basically fit) and switch scooter teams for the various dives.

-First Dive: High Seas
Our first goal was a dive on the High Seas. Laid down in 1945 as a Yard Patrol craft (YP-621) and later converted to a Purse Seine fishing boat, she sank in 1970 while carrying a full load of tuna. She sits in about 105'. A wood boat, time hasn't been particularly kind to her structure. None of us had been here before. Marc, Stephen, and I teamed up for this dive, and somehow we got the bring the scooters. It's a relatively small wreck (ship was originally 128' in length), so we just used the scooters for the descent/ascent, and otherwise had them clipped off. Stephen led, Marc shot video and some stills (which he'll hopefully post soon), and I just enjoyed the show. Some nice schools of fish (mostly various species of perch) hung about the strewn about structure. After 30 minutes, up we went.

-Second Dive: Ancient Sea Cliffs (Train Wheels)
I'd heard great reports from others who had visited the Ancient Sea Cliffs (basically the prehistoric coastline a mile off the Pt Loma lighthouse), but I'd never been (neither had anyone else on our charter). Danny has numbers for many sites along the ASCs, and he chose to drop us on Train Wheels. The cliffs here run from about 65' down to 105'. Jen, Nicole, and I splashed and then scootered down the anchor line to the top of the wall, then over to the base of the cliffs. Visibility was outstanding (~40'). The structure here is wild. In some places, the cliffs are quite shear; everywhere odd little protrusions dot the landscape. All the rocks are covered in strawberry anemones. The whole place just jumps with color. Not a ton of fish life (less than on the wrecks we dived this day), but there are nudis everywhere. We count about a dozen species (sadly, they're really too small for the CSI camera). After scootering back toward the anchor line, we come upon the entrance to a small cavern. We soon discover the reason for this site's name: two sets of railroad train wheels sit inside. After a brief swim to the back, we turn around and head out. 35 minutes on the bottom and soon enough it's time to head up. One of my top three dives this year. Truly outstanding.

[vimeo]16878287[/vimeo]

-Third Dive: PC-815
After returning to the marina to swap out some gear, we were soon once again off Pt Loma. Final dive was to be on the PC-815, a WWII submarine chaser launched in 1943 and sunk (in a collision with the destroyer USS Laffey) in 1945 (notably, she was first commanded by L. Ron Hubbard). The wreck was discovered in the early 1980s in about 90', at which time it was determined she still carried live munitions (upwards of 800 pounds). The US Navy detonated these, causing a larger than expected blast (measured at 2.8 on the Richter scale by Caltech). The wreckage is now spread over a fairly large area. Jen, Marc, and I grabbed the scooters and headed in for dive three. Since the site is so large, with good distance between various pieces of wreckage, Jen ran line. Marc and I had been to this wreck last year, but it was Jen's first time. She did a great job leading us about, while I shot a bit off video. It's a fun dive as you try to piece together what exactly it is you're looking at. We did 35 minutes on the bottom, then up the anchor line.

[vimeo]16877225[/vimeo]

As always, (Captain) Danny dropped perfect anchors on all three dives, putting us right on top of where we wanted to be. He was great with having hot soup ready for us after the first dive, and accommodating some special food requests for after the second dive.

It was a wonderful day out on the water. Thanks to Marc, Nicole, Stephen, and Jen for such a fun outing!

----------------------

For anyone interested in some other (relatively) recent SoCal DIR trip reports (posted in other subforums), here you go (most with videos and/or photos):

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/358882-farnsworth-trip-report-short-video.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/358219-casino-point-oct-31st.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/358104-utd-adventures-catalina-ship-rock-los-angeles-ca.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/358125-ace-i-wreck.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/357996-chris-marc-dive-ub88.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/357229-epic-conditions-catalina-10-23-a.html

Catalina Weekend - Belated Trip Report - Valiant Video

Farnsworth Bank - DIR Charter - Trip Report

Videos: San Diego Dives - Cape Charles & Hogan

Spectre (7/31) - Trip Report

Rainer:

Marc shot video and some stills (which he'll hopefully post soon)

Click to expand...

Camera is still sitting on my coffee table. Maybe I'll give it a shot tonight. The stills look kinda crappy, some of the video may be usable.

Rainer:

I'd heard great reports from others who had visited the Ancient Sea Cliffs

Click to expand...

Seriously one of the prettiest dives I've done in southern California. It's like a shallower, bigger, more interesting Ship Rock (with perhaps less fish life, but more nudies).

Great report and videos. Thanks for sharing.

? ... in the last video, the diver running the reel has a tiny light head. Do you know the brand and model? It looked like it has a nice, tight and bright beam.

Henrik

HenrikBP:

Great report and videos. Thanks for sharing.

Click to expand...

Thanks!

HenrikBP:

? ... in the last video, the diver running the reel has a tiny light head. Do you know the brand and model? It looked like it has a nice, tight and bright beam.

Click to expand...

Jen has an older Sartek 10W. Loves the small light head.

Rainer:

Jen has an older Sartek 10W. Loves the small light head.

Click to expand...

Thanks - I'll take a look at those.

Henrik

Blackwood:

Camera is still sitting on my coffee table. Maybe I'll give it a shot tonight. The stills look kinda crappy, some of the video may be usable.

Click to expand...

You need a strobe or two!

Hopefully some of the video came out. I should have given you my reflector; totally forgot.

Thank you so much for setting this charter up, Chris! We'd had this planned for months before the charter (must be why my weekends are booked up so far in advance ). The charter the previous weekend had some of the most challenging conditions and dives that I'd done up to that point. My confidence had been shaken a bit, but I knew this charter would have four of my favorite buddies, all of whom are strong, fun divers. I expected the conditions to be challenging, but still fun.

We were pleasantly surprised with beautiful weather, fantastic visibility, and rather minimal current (really, only noticeable on ascents/descents....except for the second dive, but I failed to notice it due to the scooter!). On top of that, we had one of the most competent captains around (nailed it every time), delicious food, and tons of fun with friends.

For the first dive, Jen and I teamed up and kicked. I ran line....not that it was needed because the vis was so great, but it was good practice....and we explored the wreck and life on the wreck for 30 minutes. I'm pretty sure neither of us was ready to begin the ascent when our time was up, but it was time to go.

For the second dive, Chris, Jen, and I teamed up and grabbed the scooter. Captain Danny said the specific site was called "Train Wheels". We all thought he meant "training wheels" or something to that effect....so when we eventually came across the train wheels, we understood (well, I actually thought they looked like ginormous dumbells....suitable for a giant!). This site was amazing....full of (invertebrate) life. Anyone else notice that SD gets way more of the white nudis than LA does??

Unfortunately, I was gas-limited on this dive as I needed to keep enough to transfill for the third dive. As I was nearing my ascent pressure while we were exploring the area right around the anchor line, I signalled that it was time to begin the ascent. I'm absolutely positive that none of us wanted to leave at the end of the dive....and we even discussed how great of a dive it was and how we wouldn't mind doing another dive there afterwards. Alas, we've settled for returning and doing a handful of dives at the various sites among the Ancient Sea Cliffs.

After a quick stop at the marina to transfill / swap cylinders and put new batteries in the scooter, it was time to head out to the PC-815. Stephen and I teamed up to kick this dive. I had planned to lay line on this dive so we could explore the various rubble piles. Unfortunately, when I reached for my reel, it was no longer there. I must have clipped it incorrectly and had it fall off on the giant stride

We explored the main rubble pile for 35 minutes and found numerous cabezons, the biggest sheephead in all of southern California (I know, I've seen them all ), and the massive head of a lingcod who had shoved himself under the wreck....among other marine life, of course. It was a beautiful dive, but I have to admit, I'm curious how much we missed out by sticking in just the one area. Guess I'll have to make a return trip


Thanks again, Chris, for setting this charter up! And thanks to all who were part of the charter....we'll have to actually dive together next time, Marc! Can't wait for the next SD adventure

It's days like these that I LOVE living in Southern California!! Great diving and great conditions topside...in November! And great buddies in the water and topside...I really couldn't ask for more...

New sites and new boats always make me a little nervous (especially since I don't have too many dives with doubles...and always worry about climbing back onto the boat!). This charter was my first on the Yellow boat...I have to say, Danny's one of the best captains ever. Perfectly placed anchor on every single dive. These dives were definitely some nice payoff dives...everything went just as planned – even our ascents were spot on!

Rainer:

Since the site is so large, with good distance between various pieces of wreckage, Jen ran line. Marc and I had been to this wreck last year, but it was Jen's first time. She did a great job leading us about, while I shot a bit off video. It's a fun dive as you try to piece together what exactly it is you're looking at. We did 35 minutes on the bottom, then up the anchor line.

Click to expand...

I'm glad you shot video on this one...so I could enjoy the wreck after the dive. Between the scooter, reel and team of three, I was a bit task loaded! Were there really that many fish on the wreck?!

HenrikBP:

? ... in the last video, the diver running the reel has a tiny light head. Do you know the brand and model? It looked like it has a nice, tight and bright beam.

Click to expand...

As Chris mentioned, it's a 10w Sartek. I love it and it's been perfect for all of my diving needs. A great, cheap(er) HID, if you can get your hands on it. That said, everyone I dive with has a 21w HID...and I do find that sometimes I'm looking at where their beam is pointed and not mine. At some point, I do want to get a brighter can light....

ligersandtions:

For the first dive, Jen and I teamed up and kicked. I ran line....not that it was needed because the vis was so great, but it was good practice....and we explored the wreck and life on the wreck for 30 minutes. I'm pretty sure neither of us was ready to begin the ascent when our time was up, but it was time to go.

Click to expand...

You forgot to mention the jellyfish we saw at our 10' stop!!

LOL. I love how friggin light my scooter was in Nicole's battery in the nose (on the PC815). At the end there when I signal "level up," it does just that. Too funny.

I thought it was pretty funny.

Blackwood:

LOL. I love how friggin light my scooter was in Nicole's battery in the nose (on the PC815). At the end there when I signal "level up," it does just that. Too funny.

Click to expand...