Attempts 3, GSB 0

[MaxBottomtime]

After finding four giant sea bass on the Landing Craft last week we couldn't wait to try again with a wide angle setup. We went out after work on Tuesday, but the strong winds and ripping current made us turn around once we got there. On Saturday the wind and swells kept us on land. We had a memorial service to go to today, so we snuck in a quick dive this morning before the wind came up. No GSBs were spotted but the dive was interesting.
We dropped into dirty water and were greeted at 23 feet by a thermocline that dropped the temperature from 71F at the surface to 53F rather quickly. My lips were numb for the next 61 minutes. Visibility was poor for the first half of the dive, but as high tide arrived we suddenly could see thirty feet vertically and about fifteen feet horizontally.
Fish and crabs kept us busy while we waited for the GSBs that never came. At one point the fish made a beeline for us. I though for sure we were going to see some big fish now. Unfortunately, it was just a free diver scaring the fish away.

 

[FrankPro1]

Love the diverse splash of colors in #4. #7 beckons you in for a swim through. Still trying to reassemble the wreck in my mind, making it into this:


Not many recognizable features left. Did Merry come back with any keepers?

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Some of the guys from the California Wreck Divers pulled the deck off to remove the engines. There are smaller pieces out on the sand. About all that's recognizable are the ramp hoist, a manhole cover and one of the docking bits. The engine mounts are there, now serving as Garibaldi nests. I found a total of five current nests on the small wreck, but only one has a few eggs in it.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

It is believed that this is the same LCM3 owned by Al Kidman while he was salvaging the Dominator. He also converted the Avalon into a salvage barge, as well as several mine sweepers, including the Spirit of America. He was known to sink them after he was done with them to avoid paying slip fees. He would also tie up to other's docks rather than renting his own. He sunk boats in Redondo and Los Angeles Harbors, then dived on them if he needed parts. He left town owing close to $400,000 in fines for abandoning the wrecks in the harbors.

 

[Merry]

Not all that exciting, but here's what I saved from the dive, Frank.


A cooperative Megaloma worm

I always enjoy these feisty sheepcrabs.

Cuthona divae seems to prefer a surgy spot and yellow bryozoan to lay its eggs.

 

[Merry]

This is a terrific diagram. Very helpful, and it makes the wreck much more meaningful. Cool!

 

[MaxBottomtime]

More LCM stuff...

Ian's video

 

[FrankPro1]

@ Merry: Awesome Cuthona divae shot. Excellent detail on the Megaloma worm, very crisp!

He was known to sink them after he was done with them to avoid paying slip fees. He would also tie up to other's docks rather than renting his own. He sunk boats in Redondo and Los Angeles Harbors, then dived on them if he needed parts. He left town owing close to $400,000 in fines for abandoning the wrecks in the harbors.[/QUOTE]

Sound's like quite the character. Do we owe him gratitude for "misplacing" the Haggerty's crane as well?

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I heard that the crane was on the landing craft when it fell off. The landing craft then sank nearby.

 

[keithbt]

Ive heard of GSB being on the our coast but usually 150 lbs is the largest i hear of...What size are these...I love diving with the curios ones..large and so casual...but always at Catalina.. cant wait to see some pics when u get some...do you have any from the past.