Any Florida Conch divers interested...

[SeaJay]

In attending our first Deep South Divers dive?

If nobody's extended an invitation yet, then allow me...

Dive is actually Sat, 11/15. Taking off from Hinesville, GA... About an hour north of Jacksonville, FL. We'll be diving offshore at Gray's Reef.

We've got a condo that we're all renting for the weekend - right there at the marina where the boat is. We're arriving Friday night, probably doing a meet-n-greet, watch a movie and chow some pizza.

Then we'll crash and get up and be on the boat at 7am. We have a second boat availalble to us for overflow. There's plenty of seats.

We'll be returning from the dive (breakfast and lunch are served on the boat) in the mid-afternoon, cleaning up, and then having a cookout that night at the condo.

Everyone and anyone is invited for the dive, the Saturday night cookout, or even to stay in the condo, if you like.

There's a thread about it in the Deep South Divers forum here on Scubaboard. C'mon up, y'all...

 

[Walter]

I wish I could go just to see you up and on the boat by 7 AM.

Thanks for the invitation, it was thoughtful.

 

[SeaJay]

Hahahahaaaaa!!! Boat diving's the only time you'll see me up at that time... Unless I've not been to bed yet.

 

[_Kurt_]

You are a gentleman. I appreciate the offer, and will consider it, but I doubt if I can make it.
Kurt=-)

 

[pdoege]

Hey Seajay -

I can't find any info on "Gray's Reef". I am assuming this is an artificial reef of some sort?

Peter

 

[SeaJay]

Okay, here's some information for you:

http://www.deepsouthdivers.org/grays.html

That will help you to see what's out here and offers a "microeducational" look at the reef. In short, no, it's not artificial... It's one of the largest living organism in the US, is one of only seven National Marine Sanctuaries in the United States, and is accessible by about a 30 minute boat ride. I have a show available for download at http://www.deepsouthdivers.org/gareefs.html that's specifically about the offshore reef program here, and it talks quite a bit about Gray's Reef.

But for a moment consider this on a "macroeducational" scale... Step back for a moment and consider what you've discovered by professing little knowledge about Gray's Reef:

1. You aren't alone; in fact, what you're expressing is very typical. Not many people know about Gray's Reef.

2. The place is rarely dived.

3. Natural reefs have made many headlines; specifically, their decline. Gray's is not in a state of decline. In fact, it's thriving, and part of the reason is because nobody knows about it, and therefore isn't in the process of damaging it.

4. Florida is one of the most popular dive locations in the world... Yet just a couple of hours away lies a reef which is basically unaffected by man... What an opportunity to dive...

Look at the "big picture" here... Gray's Reef is only one of hundreds of secrets that we have in these waters. People dive NC... People dive FL... People dive the Keys... They're missing this huge swath of ocean which we have access to.

You should see some of the stuff out there.

It's very exciting. Come dive and explore and discover with us.

More videos taken in the local waters can be found here.

 

[Genesis]

Water temp, depth, etc?

 

[SeaJay]

Are here:

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.phtml?$station=41008

That's an actual NOAA buoy located near the reef.

Depth here is generally 50' up to 10 or 12 miles offshore, and 100' at 15 to 20 miles offshore. Gray's Reef - which has significant bottom relief - is about 17 nm offshore. Here's a map: http://www.graysreef.nos.noaa.gov/location.html

In other words... It's rec depths. I believe you'll find the top of the reef in most cases between 45 and 60 feet, with a bottom of 70 or 80 feet.

Thinkin' about bringing that beautiful boat up here, Gen?

You know, we're going next weekend... And I've got a condo for us all to stay in... $100 for the trip and $20 a night to stay in the condo...

You are invited.

Heck, I haven't even mentioned the unmarked civil warships that I know of near Tybee... Complete with cannon and other artifacts...

 

[Genesis]

the fuel cost would be murderous to bring her around

But I might be able to get over there.... will look into it.

 

[SeaJay]

That'd be terrific!

I need to get over to your place soon, too.