Snuck in a dive off Deerfield Beach this morning. There was a bit of wind, but the entry was do-able (even tho that darned fin strap gave way during the entry - hmmm - must need more duct tape...). The patch reef picks up only 30-50 yards from shore, and this is a fun and simple dive. But with the wind that south FL has seen this spring, there is a lot of lost reef (lost to sand) as well as some new areas uncovered by shifting sands.
Working north toward the pier, I was scouring a rubble patch, clearing fishing line, picking up lead, harassing triggerfish, etc. when I spotted a hypodermic syringe with the needle still attached. Bummer. At this spot, it wasn't likely to cause swimmers or waders any problems, but its small, and the surge and current can be strong, so I gave it a double burial (once beneath rubble, then covered with a larger rock). This is my first UW syringe, tho I've come across others during beach clean-ups.
Funny how your mind can wander when considering the course of events that led to that item ending up in that spot. Trash bag split? Bad day for a diabetic? Crack on a catamaran? Allergic reaction during a training dive? (Just where would you keep your "kit" if you took it UW?)
Well, on the way in I crossed a bit of line with a hook and lead weight that was so crusted over with coral - including fire coral - that I had to smile at the futuristic impression of hypodermic coral growth that will someday cement my discovery to the reefline. But in the meantime, I had to shake my head that no matter how often you dive a spot, there's always another "first" just around that coral head.
Oh yeah, the stats: 72 minutes on air; 18' max depth; 1600 psi (on an AL 80); viz = 15-30'; water temp = 76; no babbling; no cellphones; several mackeral; 4 purple eels; a pod of juvenile drums. Mexican lunch still pending.
Working north toward the pier, I was scouring a rubble patch, clearing fishing line, picking up lead, harassing triggerfish, etc. when I spotted a hypodermic syringe with the needle still attached. Bummer. At this spot, it wasn't likely to cause swimmers or waders any problems, but its small, and the surge and current can be strong, so I gave it a double burial (once beneath rubble, then covered with a larger rock). This is my first UW syringe, tho I've come across others during beach clean-ups.
Funny how your mind can wander when considering the course of events that led to that item ending up in that spot. Trash bag split? Bad day for a diabetic? Crack on a catamaran? Allergic reaction during a training dive? (Just where would you keep your "kit" if you took it UW?)
Well, on the way in I crossed a bit of line with a hook and lead weight that was so crusted over with coral - including fire coral - that I had to smile at the futuristic impression of hypodermic coral growth that will someday cement my discovery to the reefline. But in the meantime, I had to shake my head that no matter how often you dive a spot, there's always another "first" just around that coral head.
Oh yeah, the stats: 72 minutes on air; 18' max depth; 1600 psi (on an AL 80); viz = 15-30'; water temp = 76; no babbling; no cellphones; several mackeral; 4 purple eels; a pod of juvenile drums. Mexican lunch still pending.
