We took the Outlaw out of Bel Mar on 7/17 to the Algol.
The weather and seas were perfect for diving. The temp off the coast was high 70s with a slight breeze. Seas where light chop.
For anyone who has not been on the Outlaw. This is an older boat. She shows her age quite a bit. It is a single level deck with a VERY narrow cabin. If the weather gets rough or wet it gets quite crowed on the ride out and back as all the divers jam together to stay dry. This, however, leaves quite a bit of space along the sides of the boat for tanks, gear, etc. Given the two, Ill take more deck space
I can always put on my dry suit to stay warm and dry.
We got out of the harbor about an hour late due to the Mate having car trouble. As Wes (the Mate) stated its a sad day when all the divers have arrived and are on board before any of the crew. This was an unfortunate situation
but in the interest of fair reporting, facts are facts.
We pulled out and followed the Venture III out to the parking lot. We originally planned on diving the Stolt
but it seems the Venture is a faster boat and to the swift goes the spoils. There was another boat tied off on the Coney Island
so it looked like another dive on the Algol.
Wes drops over and we watch him drop down. After he sets the hook we can see him on the line on the way up.... The visibility is awesome! Wes climbs back on board and gives the brief:
The sand is at 130 (140 in the cargo holds and wash out near the haul), bottom temp is low 50s, the hook is set at the high point at the stern of the ship. Watch out for the current, it is ripping at both the surface and the wreck
Suit-up
over the side
and down to the sand at 128... Visibility is about 30 ft. There is quite a current, but I wouldnt say ripping
My buddy is at the railing so I dont have much time before I need to go back up to him. I just want to take a quick look with the hopes of catching a lobster unaware. I swim along the haul for about 3 min and dont see anything. Up I go back to the railing at 100. A Big OK sign with my buddy and we swim off along the side of the ship. We have both dove the Algol before so we are somewhat familiar with the lay out. We cruise along the railing poking our heads in holes and sight seeing. After a bit, Larry signals its time to hunt. So using all our stealth and cunning, we sneak up on a clump of Muscles and wrestle them into the goodie bag. We stuff the bag and then Larry gives the signal that hes running low on gas. DAMN! I really need to get him on a diet and excercise routine. Up we go
50 for 2
30 for 2
15 for 3
a quick swim under the boat to the ladder and we are out.
Surface interval: Change over the tanks. The Mate takes a headcount. Everyone is up and accounted for. I wolf down my crackers and juice (Im happy to report that they stayed down) and then took my usual service interval nap laying in the sun on the bow of the boat! Does it get any better than this?
Second dive: Drop over the side with Larry and Frank. We meet at 15. A quick bubble check and then drop down to the deck of the wreck. This time we spend the whole time site seeing. Looking into rooms
we do a couple of fun swim throughs. I REALLY need to get the skills and training to start doing penetrations. I felt like I was at the prom again. I could look and play a bit
but until I figure out how to do it safely Im not supposed to penetrate. I guess Ill be signing up for the wreck course soon. Up we come 50, 30 15 again. This time there is a bunch of us on the line doing our hangs. Maybe a john line is in my future too
in the end, I hung to the bottom of the group and did an extra 5 min on the line so I could stay below them and do my 15 hang without all the traffic.
Up on the boat. Strip down
. Have a snack and watch the boat crew struggle with the anchor for about 45 min. What a drag. Wes has to drop down for a 3rd dive to figure out what the anchor is hung up on (he is having a bad day, first the car problems and now this). Finally we are free
Muscles in a nice red wine sauce for dinner!
The Boat Crew did an excellent job. They were true dive professionals. We were assisted into and out of the water. Attention was always on safety. Which makes up for the boat itself, which has seen better days. The divers on the boat were mostly experienced Jersey divers which is nice. I consider myself a rookie still and it is nice to dive with people who know what they are doing and are always willing to give advice on technique, gear, or whatever.
And the quote of the day NICE DIVE
:mad1:
