Dove with Jupiter Dive Center, well not much to report the current was ripping so we never dropped on the wreck trek.
Overall experience:
I arrived early at 7:30am, analyzed, marked my tanks, and set them out by the dock for the crew to load. 8 am rolled around and the shop opened, went in to sign in. The crew then got the tanks all loaded up, and had no issues positioning me near the end so I can get off and on easier. Nor did they have any issues with me hanging out on the swim step during repositioning pre-drop. I never didn't have the boat in sight when I got to the surface, and never had a wait long for pick up.
Day 1:
Loggerhead/Lighthouse
Scarface
The Tunnels
We attempted to drop at the wrecks twice, but both times the current was ripping. The captain mentioned at Scarface that we drifted a total of a mile and a half. And since the group had all levels of divers, are descents were scattered as well resulting in the group being spread out like paratroopers on D-day. I rarely saw anyone, and all my ascents were solo DSMB ascents. One of which was rather interesting as the line get between my reg hose, in my defense I don't shoot many DSMBs in the caves.
Reef life wise, I was pleasantly surprised. My measure of a healthy reef these days is baby fish, and the reef had plenty. Along with schools of larger fish like grunts and amber jacks. A few of the goliaths but none as large or as numerous as the desired location would have. And of course a smattering of turtles and sharks (mostly little ones).
Day 2:
Loggerhead/Lighthouse
Scarface
Same deal went out of the wrecks and it was ripping so back to the reefs. This time the group did a better job getting down and we stayed mostly together for the first dive. I got separated on the second dive, when I went in the lee of the reef to adjust my weights due to a trim issues. Due to the increasing sea state, and the low likelihood of getting to the wreck trek I decided to stay ashore on day 3, no idea if they decided to go out or not.
Observations:
I feel like drift diving is effectively solo dive, as such I setup for solo diving, and ended up mostly solo diving. Even when I stayed with the group there was never anyone close enough to be useful in an emergency. As such I went in setup to dive solo.
That being said I am finally happy with my pony sidemount setup, I rigged up a simple loop bungee and he kept my AL40 nice and tight to my side. I also used a silicone snorkel keep around the valve to keep the regulator in place.
I was moderately happy with my GoPro setup, the double bolt snaps kept it secured during descents and ascents. Though when I went vertical it liked to flip up. The big disadvantage is that it cluttered up my chest. I thought I lost the double ender for my DSMB when I went to clean it up after the dive. Turned out that it got clipped on my camera, I found it that evening in the hotel.
Finally I would bring 36% next time for all my dives. I normally only stock 32%, but since they only did 45 minute surface intervals, 32% cut my dives a little short on day 2 compared to day 1 where I was diving 36%.
Quick and dirty video edit from the Tunnels
Overall experience:
I arrived early at 7:30am, analyzed, marked my tanks, and set them out by the dock for the crew to load. 8 am rolled around and the shop opened, went in to sign in. The crew then got the tanks all loaded up, and had no issues positioning me near the end so I can get off and on easier. Nor did they have any issues with me hanging out on the swim step during repositioning pre-drop. I never didn't have the boat in sight when I got to the surface, and never had a wait long for pick up.
Day 1:
Loggerhead/Lighthouse
Scarface
The Tunnels
We attempted to drop at the wrecks twice, but both times the current was ripping. The captain mentioned at Scarface that we drifted a total of a mile and a half. And since the group had all levels of divers, are descents were scattered as well resulting in the group being spread out like paratroopers on D-day. I rarely saw anyone, and all my ascents were solo DSMB ascents. One of which was rather interesting as the line get between my reg hose, in my defense I don't shoot many DSMBs in the caves.
Reef life wise, I was pleasantly surprised. My measure of a healthy reef these days is baby fish, and the reef had plenty. Along with schools of larger fish like grunts and amber jacks. A few of the goliaths but none as large or as numerous as the desired location would have. And of course a smattering of turtles and sharks (mostly little ones).
Day 2:
Loggerhead/Lighthouse
Scarface
Same deal went out of the wrecks and it was ripping so back to the reefs. This time the group did a better job getting down and we stayed mostly together for the first dive. I got separated on the second dive, when I went in the lee of the reef to adjust my weights due to a trim issues. Due to the increasing sea state, and the low likelihood of getting to the wreck trek I decided to stay ashore on day 3, no idea if they decided to go out or not.
Observations:
I feel like drift diving is effectively solo dive, as such I setup for solo diving, and ended up mostly solo diving. Even when I stayed with the group there was never anyone close enough to be useful in an emergency. As such I went in setup to dive solo.
That being said I am finally happy with my pony sidemount setup, I rigged up a simple loop bungee and he kept my AL40 nice and tight to my side. I also used a silicone snorkel keep around the valve to keep the regulator in place.
I was moderately happy with my GoPro setup, the double bolt snaps kept it secured during descents and ascents. Though when I went vertical it liked to flip up. The big disadvantage is that it cluttered up my chest. I thought I lost the double ender for my DSMB when I went to clean it up after the dive. Turned out that it got clipped on my camera, I found it that evening in the hotel.
Finally I would bring 36% next time for all my dives. I normally only stock 32%, but since they only did 45 minute surface intervals, 32% cut my dives a little short on day 2 compared to day 1 where I was diving 36%.
Quick and dirty video edit from the Tunnels