Hmmm.... How to write this trip report. The trick with operating a dive boat is managing expectations, both the customers and ours. We got surprised...., so did the customers.

The weather, the weather was awesome for all 5 days, in fact, it was too calm to dive the sites in the order we wanted. The wind didn't blow till day 5, and then it was only 5 knots. Some had an issue with current, but I didn't notice any. Water temps are a little warm (very warm, 88 degrees at the bottom) and visibility ranged from 30-100 feet. 22 divers and photographers joined us for the Nauticam Demo Days trip. We had CP from Nauticam, Ryan from Reef Photo, Paul from Light and Motion, and Jack from Optical Ocean hosting this trip to the Dry Tortugas and Vandenberg. They brought along cameras to use, cameras to try out, new stuff that isn't out yet, and the coolest video lights I've ever seen from Light and Motion. They brought 100-125 chargers, too. we don't have that many outlets on the boat. It got a little ummmm... touchy, especially when folks unplugged Mel's computer to charge their computer. Thankfully, the week got better.

We started out our trip on Cooper's Reef. We had a goliath grouper, American Red snapper, and it was macro photography bonus time as we made 2 dives in fair vis and warm water. We moved off to Texas Rock for the afternoon/night. Texas Rock had all of their usual denizens, including goliaths and blacks and reds etc, but the visibility wasn't anything to write home about, maybe 40 feet.

Wednesday morning we visited the fort for a tour and I had a chance to meet the new site manager. What a breath of fresh air in comparison to some of the site managers that have been there in the past. She was pleasant, personable, and wanted to be there. The divers had a nice tour of the fort and then it was off for more diving. We dove the bat cave next, and the vis was around 100 feet. Some of the photographs taken of the cave itself were awesome, and some incredible macro shots were also taken. The afternoon dives and night dives were done at G-spot, again with awesome vis. CP and Ryan had fun scootering and shooting video.

Thursday was spent at Billy's Ridge and Alex's Mountains. Vis was fine in the morning, but closed up a little in the afternoon. Cindy and Bruce found the world's smallest nudibranchs, and Bruce took a photo of Cindy's Nauticam housing being cleaned by a juvie angelfish. Very cool. I went lionfish hunting, but have learned that my spear needs sharpening. There are some very sore loinfish in the North Reserve, but no dead ones.

Friday we spent at the wreck of the Avanti and at Keeney's Wall. The first dive was clear, with some fine wide angle shots taken. Friday afternoon was murky, maybe 30-50 feet, but it's such a great dive the vis didn't matter.

Saturday we spent on the Vandenberg. Current was hooked up, and most didn't take their cameras. The dive was good, but not spectacular.

We will repeat next year, along with the lessons learned from having this many photographers. I won't say that they won't surprise us, but they'll have a harder time. :)