We took the DIR Express South to the Doc De Milly. 35 minutes travel time over 20 minutes faster than the Depreciation. The back up scooter was still at Brownies getting worked on so Henry had to swim it. Jody and David power scootered the whole wreck while we swam it for photos.
On the drop, three Caribbean Reef Sharks were circling down below. This was a first on this wreck. They noticed us and kept at minimum safe distance (visual range). I could not get close enough for a shot. The Goliath Groupers ducked into their holes in the wreck as we approached.
On the West side of the stern there were three Eagle rays at 100ft holding steady in the current. I scootered under them and shot up against the sun. I love the image that came out of it. After leaving Henry, I quickly headed back for him.
Down in the sand I caught Jody and David heading over the cargo hold. We tagged up several times on the dive. I towed Henry up to the bow and ducked down to the wide gash up front. I played hide and seek with the Goliath that hangs out in there. I finally caught him smiling.
From the bow we headed out to the east side of the wreck. There was debris and three large open rectangles that were opened up for water to flow thru. They look like they could be cargo containers with a few sides open? They are 75ft off the wreck and we were out of the lee of the current. It was a struggle to tow Henry back to the wreck.
Jody and David thumbed the dive at 25 minutes. Henry and I had plenty of gas left so we added 5 minutes to the bottom time. As time approached, Henry prepped his lift bag and reel at the top of the wreck. He stuff the liftbag in his waistband and secured the reel to a chest d ring. We ascended to 70ft, switched to deco gas and I signaled for him to shoot the bag. I did not understand the signal for "broken", put your hands together like your going to break spaghetti into two and toss it into the pot. I could see there was a problem, most likely a reel jam so I deployed my lift bag. During the explanation we lost control of our buoyancy by 10ft. This was an major error on my part. Once the broken bag was tucked away and mine deployed we went into a normal deco.
I was running the deco and Henry was following along. I signaled at 20ft for 8 minutes deco. Henry replied with "8" so I knew he got it. We had planned 150ft for 25 minutes. Most of the dive was spent on the deck at 140ft so I didn't see any need to expand the deco. But I was curious what Henry would do if I over stayed the stop?
I overstayed for 5 minutes and there was no question of the deco time. Henry thought I was adding the time on due to the extended bottom time. During the debrief we discussed asking questions when the plan is not being followed. I've been debating the stop watch vs. bottom timer deco question in my head and I believe that the stopwatch is better. I'll save that dissertation for another blog post.
Next dive was the Almirante. Henry wanted some time driving the boat so Jody, David, and I teamed up. The wreck was beautiful and the visibility exceptional. We landed at the stern, I prepped my camera and scootered around to the starboard side.
I ran head on into a school of horse-eye jacks. They pulled up hard to get out of the way of the big black object scootering right at them. Running down the side I noticed want makes this wreck so different. Usually the cargo hold plates fall out away from the wreck when it comes apart. The starboard side of then wreck has been push in and flattened like God stopped the wreck like an Aluminium can?
While deep in thought, I almost missed the three Eagle Rays flying over our heads. I turned down the prop pitch to full power and started a pursuit with my camera! Out of the corner of my eye I saw a white flash? I had cut into the middle of the squad and the 4th ray turned 90 degrees and headed up to the bow. The other three made two quick flaps of their wings and were out of sight immediately. I knew that following them with a Gavin was at their discretion. They have much more power. Picking up the 4th ray it circled back over the wreck and then left us behind with the same quick flap of the wings.
At the bow I dropped down to look the hull metal. The explosion that sunk the Almirante peeled the hull plates back like a banana. They used to use big explosions to sink reefs wit ha a big show. The problem was they destroyed the wrecks of the quick flood of water caused them to sink at wrong angles. Now there are much slower and precise about completely flooding the ship and putting her down upright without the 4th of July show.
At the bow I stopped to admire the impression growth of deepwater sea fans on the winch. It is a good 7 ft tall and thick. I'm glad no anchors have cut thru it. It is beautiful.
We headed back towards the stern. I saw a swim thru big enough to scooter thru. Inside I waved David over to the skylights to frame him. He came in and followed up thru.
Outside I stopped and turned to get the exiting diver shot. Jody was looking away, but David made a good pose. I think I need to send this one to George for the Gavin Scooter Website.
I grabbed a few photo of Creole Wrasse and Chub at the stern. David thumbed the dive 2 minutes ahead of schedule. After a long debate, David declared himself innocent of the early thumb! Never tell a German his is wrong!
