40 Fathom Grotto

[syntaxerrorsix]

I saw the platform at ~24 ft, a 60 ft one but when I was there a couple were being built. One had a bullseye painted on it so students could practice shooting Lift bags with a clear opening up top. I did some swimming around the baot at 130. Looked for the motorcylce but we couldn't find. I don't think there was a line going to it like I thought there was.

Ah, yes the bullseye platform is in. The other training group lost a reel on it half way up.

It was a bad weekend for reels apparently.

 

[adm3745]

When I was there I saw someone (first time running a line) let out around 30 ft from the 60 ft platform then got tangled, and dropped the reel.Not the best reaction. I helped out and got 90 ft of brand new #24 line out of it. If anyone is interested Theres probably a brand new dive rite safety reel at around ~120 ft with 60 ft of line on it below the 60 ft platform.

That place really doesn't like reels I suppose

 

[Colliam7]

Ah, yes the bullseye platform is in. The other training group lost a reel on it half way up. It was a bad weekend for reels apparently.

That it was! We didn't find the reel our students dropped yesterday, we looked around the bulls-eye today> Nor did we get to the area in which your guy lost his. But, we have one more day to try.

As for conditions: I had't been there since last January (2009), when the viz was REALLY bad - essentially iced tea, due to the tannins. Visibility is definitely improving, and the grotto folks remain committed to getting it to 'duckweed' standards.

The lift is being re-geared, to improve the speed. So, it is the stairs for the moment. For those of us who rememer the old stairs, these are SO-O-O much better, you hardly notice.

I had been concerned that the bad viz, which caused it to 'close for renovation' for much of 2009, was a permanent condition. Now, I think it is moving back on the right direction. Obviously, as this weekend's crowds demonstrated (and the growthy of the 'commercial diving' dock indicate, the commercial diving training side is becoming more and more prominent, which is to be expected. But, I think it still remains a great spot for technical training.


I really enjoy diving the Grotto.

 

[K Mejean]

The bike is at 50'. Its on the northwest side of the dive site.

 

[adm3745]

That would be a really good reason for why I couldn't find it

 

[K Mejean]

I thought it was odd placement but there is quite a bit to see in that place. They told me last time I was there that the boat was going to be cleaned and dropped in the deep section so the commercial school could do hull inspections on it.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

That it was! We didn't find the reel our students dropped yesterday, we looked around the bulls-eye today> Nor did we get to the area in which your guy lost his. But, we have one more day to try.

As for conditions: I had't been there since last January (2009), when the viz was REALLY bad - essentially iced tea, due to the tannins. Visibility is definitely improving, and the grotto folks remain committed to getting it to 'duckweed' standards.

The lift is being re-geared, to improve the speed. So, it is the stairs for the moment. For those of us who rememer the old stairs, these are SO-O-O much better, you hardly notice.

I had been concerned that the bad viz, which caused it to 'close for renovation' for much of 2009, was a permanent condition. Now, I think it is moving back on the right direction. Obviously, as this weekend's crowds demonstrated (and the growthy of the 'commercial diving' dock indicate, the commercial diving training side is becoming more and more prominent, which is to be expected. But, I think it still remains a great spot for technical training.


I really enjoy diving the Grotto.

I scored our student's DR reel, it managed to drop between two pieces of metal debris about 6" wide, the lantern handle snagged on a piece of chain link fence in the hole.

We are due back in mid April and will keep an eye out for your reel if it isn't recovered by then.

I'm almost glad I never experienced the "old" stairs. Even the new ones are one heck of a climb

 

[Colliam7]

I scored our student's DR reel, it managed to drop between two pieces of metal debris about 6" wide, the lantern handle snagged on a piece of chain link fence in the hole.

And, two of us did a 'recreational' deco dive right after we finished up Dive 12 for the tec students and - lo and behold - found the lost reel, right next to the bullseye, where we thought it had dropped. Of course, we had already searched that area once before, without success. The bonus - we also found a mask that one student dropped on a platform on the last dive.

I'm almost glad I never experienced the "old" stairs. Even the new ones are one heck of a climb

The old ones: a) were steeper; b) had inconsistent rises between steps; c) had no platforms to break up the continuous climb; d) were narrow and a bit rickety in places. After the additional 'reel search' dive, carrying my 130s up I had to stop and rest several times before reaching the tables - have not had that happen before. But, I was tired after 3 days, and I am not as young as I was when I climbed the 'old' steps.

 

[adm3745]

Anyone ever get bent from pushing up those stairs?

 

[K Mejean]

Anyone ever get bent from pushing up those stairs?

Good question. I would be interested in knowing that too. I know they got the better of me the last time I was up there. It will be nice if they ever get the elevator working.