I thought I'd chime in on this since I dive Catalina so frequently and have certainly experienced a few situations like yours.
The strong currents that develop out here are often related to the tide changes, especially during major vertical fluctuations associated with new and full moon. Of course there are other currents as well as Rick and Dave have mentioned above, and strong surface currents can kick up due to the effect of strong winds. The changes are often very sudden here, and may involve a complete 180 degree reversal of current direction. The dissected shoreline of the island (points and inlands along with the orientation relative to prevailing currents which tend to be NW to SE) also creates local eddies and other irregularities which can make interpreting current a bit difficult at times.
Of course any time the kelp is totally submerged, one can assume one of several things including (a) the fact that there is a strong current pulling it down and horizontal, parallel to the bottom (a sign the crew should be able to see) or (b) a strong El Nino condition in which the surface canopy has died off due to thermal stress.
I've had two experiences out here where I've had to do what you did (fortunately with much more gas in my tanks, but once I had drained my primary tank). The difference between my incidents and yours is primarily related to the captain and crew of the dive boat (King Neptune) I dive with.
First, the fact your tank was filled to 1,700 psi is a major crew-related error... unless they acknowledged in the briefing that there was a compressor or other problem and the tanks were not full.
Second, the fact that they did not have a current line already deployed amazes me. It takes relatively little time to do so, and our dive boat almost always has one... if not two... current lines out in anticipation of this.
Third, if the crew was observant, they should have been aware of the strong current and anticipating potential problems. It does not sound like they were from what you have said.
Based strictly on your account (which I have no reason to doubt, but am surprised any SoCal liveaboard boat would be so ill-prepared and unattentive), I would never board that boat again.
In some cases where I've encountered these strong currents, they were primarily a bit offshore. By staying close to the kelp and associated reef, the current may be slower and broken up a bit, allowing you to swim in the direction of the boat with much less effort then start your open water "crossing" from up current.
The improper fill on your tanks was certainly a big factor here, as was the lack of apparent crew anticipation and readiness. Sorry you had a bad experience. I'd be curious as to the identity of the boat if you're willing to PM me.
The strong currents that develop out here are often related to the tide changes, especially during major vertical fluctuations associated with new and full moon. Of course there are other currents as well as Rick and Dave have mentioned above, and strong surface currents can kick up due to the effect of strong winds. The changes are often very sudden here, and may involve a complete 180 degree reversal of current direction. The dissected shoreline of the island (points and inlands along with the orientation relative to prevailing currents which tend to be NW to SE) also creates local eddies and other irregularities which can make interpreting current a bit difficult at times.
Of course any time the kelp is totally submerged, one can assume one of several things including (a) the fact that there is a strong current pulling it down and horizontal, parallel to the bottom (a sign the crew should be able to see) or (b) a strong El Nino condition in which the surface canopy has died off due to thermal stress.
I've had two experiences out here where I've had to do what you did (fortunately with much more gas in my tanks, but once I had drained my primary tank). The difference between my incidents and yours is primarily related to the captain and crew of the dive boat (King Neptune) I dive with.
First, the fact your tank was filled to 1,700 psi is a major crew-related error... unless they acknowledged in the briefing that there was a compressor or other problem and the tanks were not full.
Second, the fact that they did not have a current line already deployed amazes me. It takes relatively little time to do so, and our dive boat almost always has one... if not two... current lines out in anticipation of this.
Third, if the crew was observant, they should have been aware of the strong current and anticipating potential problems. It does not sound like they were from what you have said.
Based strictly on your account (which I have no reason to doubt, but am surprised any SoCal liveaboard boat would be so ill-prepared and unattentive), I would never board that boat again.
In some cases where I've encountered these strong currents, they were primarily a bit offshore. By staying close to the kelp and associated reef, the current may be slower and broken up a bit, allowing you to swim in the direction of the boat with much less effort then start your open water "crossing" from up current.
The improper fill on your tanks was certainly a big factor here, as was the lack of apparent crew anticipation and readiness. Sorry you had a bad experience. I'd be curious as to the identity of the boat if you're willing to PM me.
This is not a flame on spearfisherman because I have many friends that like to spearfish and obey the laws.
