Sunday, July 12, 1998 Dive Rampage in West Palm Beach

Dive Trip Report to :West Palm Bach

Dive #1: 12-July-98, Sunday Afternoon, My Dive # 136
A. Dive Location: Mitzpa and the Corridor
B. Conditions:
Visibility: 70'
Seas: 1'
Water Temp: 84 on the top / 69 thermo on the bottom / Covering: Used a 3 mm shortie with a lycra suite under it!
Skies: Clear Skies, no wind!
Air Temp: 80-90
C. Dive Information:
Depth & Time: Genesis Nitrox Dive Computer: 87' for 25 min, 72 deg F. / My Analog: 85',/ Dive Partner Cochran Dive Computer (UGH): 81' for 25 min, 69 deg F
Air consumption: Me 3700 to 1400 lbs, 120 Cu Ft / Dive Partner: 3400 - 800 lbs, 80 Cu Ft / CL: Dive Partner: 3100 - 900 lbs, 80 Cu Ft
Current: Mild
Description: We descended at the bow of the Mitzpa, swam up to the top super sturcture and around the deck. The vis was great, the water cold (cold thermo) and there were lots and lots of large schools of fish. After 5 minutes, we met at the stern and swam E, with the current to the Landing Craft wreck. As I had a 120 cu ft tank, both dive partners took my hand so I could put out the most energy swimming across the current to the next wreck - great use of extra air. We swam down the outside right side of the ship, throught several large schools of yellow and silver fish (thousand's of them). Near the stern, we hopped over the side-rail to the inside and saw several large (50 lb) grouper on the very bottom in the ship's bilges. I looked in the stern cabin for the talked about 3-500 lb Jewfish - but didn't see it! We contined the drift over the rock pile towards the next wreck. At this time both dive partners were at 1000 lbs and we started up, decompressed for 3 min at 15 ft then surfaced. This was a really great dvie, good vis, lots of fish, and we got to see 80% of the drift (missed the last ship).

Dive #2: 12-July-98, Sunday Afternoon, My Dive # 137
A. Dive Location: Drift dive of Bath & Tennis
B. Conditions:
Visibility: 30'
Seas: 1'
Water Temp: 84 on the top / 69 thermo on the bottom / Covering: Used a 3 mm shortie with a lycra suite under it!
Skies: Clear Skies, no wind!
Air Temp: 80-90
C. Dive Information:
Depth & Time: Genesis: 50' for 39 min., Analog: 51'., Dive Partner Cochran Dive Computer (UGH): 47' for 39 min., Analog 51'
Air consumption: Me 2900 to 700 lbs, 80 Cu Ft, Dive Partner: 3200 - 800 lbs, 80 Cu Ft
Current: Mild
Description: This was a slow drift dive where we had to swim about 45 degrees off the drift to stay on the reef. There were lots and lots and lots of bugs - 2-4 pounds. The divemaster pulled several at a time out from under the reef's! My Dive Partner spotted a small green moray, the divemaster went up to pet it - but backed off (That's a first). The moray was not giving good vibes. A little later we saw a 3' stingray, which backed off when approached. Seveal others saw a much bigger green moray - I missed it. Again there were some cold thermals on the bottom (high 60 - low 70), lots and lots and lots of small fish (1 footers). The drift with the 45 degree crab did take some enegry and some air. All in all, it was another really great WPB dive.

I'd like to put in a plug for Terry W. Myers of Depthfinders Diive Center, 1225 Tamami Trail, Port Charolotte, Fl, (941)-766-7565. On entering the water from the boat, my dive partner lost the weight belt - it dropped right to the bottom. I started to signal to Capt Bob that we needed to get back on board and had told a person on the board that we needed a 16 lb weight belt. Looking down, I saw Terry swimming to the surface with the dropped weight belt. I went down, picked up the belt, helped my dive partner put the belt on and continued with the dive. This is a first! The RAMPAGE has always been very safety oriented and the dive people on board very friendly and courteous. This time, a fellow diver, a dive instructror went out of his way to pick up the 16 lb dive belt and return it to us. This saved the dive for us. We were able to continue the dive with the rest of the group. Terry diserves a great thanks for helping a fellow diver. The RAMPAGE seems to draw this type of people - friendly and safe. Capt Bob and Terry, we salute you and thank you for saving this great dive for us (and the weight belt).

Last Updated: 10-July-2002

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