|
We set out with bottles of helium,
nitrox, trimix, and lots of oxygen to
explore previously undived areas surrounding
the Flower Gardens. Our first stop was an
artificial reef about 20 miles north of the
East bank at High Island -310. 310 is a
cutoff platform that tops out in 86 feet of
water the conductor plate, providing a “top”
to the platform. The sand is at 215 feet,
with a 20 foot layer of muck above it. 2
divers braved the muck layer to touch the
sand (face first), everyone else stayed
above the muck. The reef was covered with
spiny oysters, and surrounded by schools of
red snapper, ling, greater AJ, and all of
the game fish normally seen on rigs. Vis was
a little green and maybe 60 feet for the top
40 feet, then the current shifted and opened
the vis to 100 feet below that. There was a
halocline at 100 feet, and a thermocline at
125 feet (79) and 160 feet (73). Surface
temp was 83, surface current was mild to
moderate. On the way to the East Bank we
talked to the Fling on the radio on their
way to HI-389 for a dive. They had been
playing with the whaleshark all morning, but
left to go on a rig dive. The report on the
whaleshark was anywhere from 25 to 45 feet
long, and kept coming back to rub on the
divers. More about this tomorrow. Our dives
on the East bank took place on buoy number 1
and were to a max depth of 170 feet for both
the afternoon and night dives. The current
picked up a little bit, and was moderate,
temps were 84, seas were basically flat, and
visibility was around 100 feet. The plan
had been to dive Bright Bank on Tuesday
morning. The potential for whalesharks,
however, prompted me to call for a vote. 5
to 2 with 3 abstentions, we headed off to
the West bank for a little whaleshark
hunting. The first dive was on buoy number
2, max depth 140 feet, and, during the
safety stop, not 1 but 2 whalesharks were
spotted by the deck crew, one about 25 feet
long, one about 45 feet long, explaining the
discrepancy of the sightings on the Fling.
The divers all got to hang out with the
whalesharks during their deco stops, and
thought it was cool enough to stay for
another dive, so we did. Current was
non-existent, temps 83, seas flat, vis over
100 feet. It was really one of those perfect
days in the Flower Gardens. We did our night
dive on Stetson bank. Conditions remained
perfect for diving, and critters spotted
included sharks. And more sharks. Lots of
nameless unidentified generic sharks were
spotted. As well as lobster, and the usual
reef fish that Stetson is so well known for.
Wednesday morning we dove again at Stetson.
The max depth was 182 feet, and there is a
surprising amount of dive gear down there,
including masks, snorkels, lead, and other
good stuff. Aside from that, more sharks,
rays, divers, and the regular Stetson stuff.
Conditions were perfect for Stetson, with no
current, 84 degree water, flat seas, and
lots to look at. Everyone had a good time. Captain Frank
M/V Spree
Freeport, Texas |
