May 25, 2008 - The "Captain Dan"

Hello everyone!

Well the fast-paced action of the week continued today with the Video Dude taking a trip aboard Dixie Divers' "Lady Go Diver" heading out to the "Captain Dan" along with Dive Diva Heather and Charlie. Captain Nick gets us out to the wreck site and Divemaster Fernando jumps in to tie off to the wreck. He comes up to report a stiff current for the first 40fsw or so, then calmer waters down to the wreck.

It turns out that in the short time it took us to drop in and float over to the wreck ball, the current has kicked up a bit more and it takes all our effort to get to the bottom of the line. After we're down on the wreck, we tour around a bit, then I find a nice spot inside the wreck to get out of the current for a while. I passed a little time playing with a Tri-color Damselfish and peeking out the windows at Heather and Charlie. We do get to see a few good-sized Barracuda swimming around as well, and then Heather gives the signal she is going up. Charlie decides to follow and I decide to do likewise even though I have some time and enough air left.

Good thing too because the current REALLY kicked up while we were down and we were flying like sheets in the wind all the way up to our safety stops. The current would be real strong for a few seconds, then slack a bit, then kick up again. This cycle repeated over and over throughout our ascent, and really made our safety stops an adventure for sure. I am convinced my arms are at least 3 or 4 inches longer!

When we pop up to the surface, Captain Nick positions the boat so we can drift right into the ladders and the fun begins trying to remove fins on a bouncing ladder. Eventually we all get back on board (and try to catch our collective breaths) when we hear that Captain Nick has decided due to deteriorating sea conditions he is canceling our second dive. I don't think anyone was very unhappy about it at this point!

Another adventure dive in Paradise!

The Video Dude