Dive Trip Report to: West Palm Beach
Purpose: TO DIVE THE CAVE (also know as Hole In The Wall)
Dive #1: Wednesday, 07-Jul, Morning Dive. My Dive #217
A. Dive Boat / Location: Unmentioned! / The CAVE
B. Conditions:
Visibility: 50 ft
Seas: 1 - 2 Ft
Water Temp: 84 / 85
Skies: Sunny Clear Blue Skies (CNB to the East)
Air Temp: 90's
C. Dive Information:
Depth & Time:
Me: Genesis Nitrox Dive Computer - 139 ft for 26 min
, Me: Analog - 137 ft
, Me: Cochran - 132 ft for 26
Air consumption: Me: 3500 - 1400 lb (120 cu ft)
Current: Riping Along - Very Strong to the North!
Description: Well, this trip was two months in the planning! We were dropped off away to the south, had to go down fast and follow the leader to the cave. The current was very strong! This was a very strenous dive - we had to keep with our dive partners, look out for narking out, look out for deco problems, watch our computers for bottom time, kick like hell to the east to keep on the reef line at 100'. After a few minutes, our leader found the cave and hung up the bouy line. I was one of the last ones in. We entered at 135 - 140', could see the exit to the right and a real big cavern inside. Well, there was company there to great us - two 200 lb Jew Fish! They kept there distance on the back wall, but we didn't dare go to the back wall the see the Plaque! I hope I got some pictures of them! Our bottom time was running out, we exited and started up! My computer read 1 minute for most of the ascent! On the way up, the leader found one big Nurse Shark under a ledge! I was about 30' above it and from there it looked big! It was a challange! Thanks Capt! Sorry about any problems that occurred on the boat!! This is NOT a recommended dive - it does stress the body and maximum depth limits and bottom time!
Dive #2: Wednesday, 07-Jul, Morning Dive. My Dive #218
A. Dive Boat / Location: Unmentioned! / Jolly Jack
B. Conditions:
Visibility: 39 ft
Seas: 1 - 2 Ft
Water Temp: 84 / 85
Skies: Sunny Clear Blue Skies (CNB to the East)
Air Temp: 90's
C. Dive Information:
Depth & Time:
Me: Genesis Nitrox Dive Computer - 85 ft for 29 min
, Me: Analog - 83 ft
, Me: Cochran - 81 ft for 29
Air consumption: Me: 3200 - 1400 lb (120 cu ft)
Current: Riping Along - Very Strong to the North!
Description: This was a fast drift dive! We saw lots of stuff, lots of colors (not like the dead coral in the Keys). This dive almost reminds ya of Juno Ledges - there is some ledge releif. While heading down (head and camers first) to get a fish picture under a ledge, a 6 ft nurse shark decided to come out from under the ledge - I didn't know she was there!! She turned to go back, but couldn't, I turned to get the hell out of there but was slow - it was exciting!!! Towards the end of the dive, Tom and I decided to give Eva a had with the dive ball - it was dragging her away from the reef! Well, we were put in our place - both of us trying to hold onto the ball and the bottom at the same time! The current was toom much and pulled off our grip from the bottom! We were headed for the grass lands, so we ended the dive!
Well, when we boared the boat, the Capt had a wonderful lunch awaiting!
Dive #3: Wednesday, 07-Jul, After Lunch Dive. My Dive #219
A. Dive Boat / Location: Unmentioned! / PlayPen
B. Conditions:
Visibility: 30 ft
Seas: 1 - 2 Ft
Water Temp: 84 / 85
Skies: Sunny Clear Blue Skies (CNB to the East)
Air Temp: 90's
C. Dive Information:
Depth & Time:
Me: Genesis Nitrox Dive Computer - 63' for 36 min
, Me: Analog - 62 ft
, Me: Cochran - 60 ft for 36 min
Air consumption: Me: 3500 - ?? lb (80 cu ft)
Current: Riping Along - Very Strong to the North!
Description: Well we entered on some grass, drifted to a barge loaded with rock! We continued to some more rubble! There was not a whole lot of fish or colors! It was just a fun drift dive!