Channel Islands Diving - Aboard the Vision

[humanFish]

Hey,

Just signed up for a weekend of diving the Northern Channel Islands on the Vision in April. Anyone else going? I've never been diving there before as my only California SCUBA experience has been in Monterey and Carmel. Any special things to consider or critters to look for? Anybody been on the Vision before? I hear it's a nice boat. I'll be diving dry...

 

[Taxgeek]

Been on the Truth, not the Vision. Cool things to know: bow gate! Loooove the bow gate. Also, at least on the truth, people bring those big rubbermade tubs (the ones about cooler size?) to store their camera gear in under the benches in the salon. Bring a hanger for your wetsuit, they have drying rooms.

Critters? Nudis galore, bring your macro lense! Hopefully you'll get to dive San Miguel and Santa Rosa, which have great pinnacles, current, and life everywhere. I haven't dove up your way, so don't know how to compare though.

 

[Frank O]

I've been on the Vision a couple of times, most recently last year on a one-trip to the Humble SM-1 and Gosford wrecks in the Santa Barbara Channel. It's a spacious boat that people seem to like well. I'd add nitrox capability, but life isn't perfect. As Taxgeek says, the N. Channel Islands are good for macro.

Taxgeek, about that tub ... I have several of what Rubbermaid calls an "Action Packer" -- made of stiff plastic, gray top, black body, red handles that snap around to hold the top on securely, strong enough to sit on while putting on your exposure suit. I have a couple of sizes of them -- the larger size I use mostly in the garage to store gear in, the smaller size is just about right for my housed dSLR and strobes. I can keep a little water in the bottom to keep the camera rig from drying out (and salt crystallizing on it) until I get home -- and then I just fill up the whole thing with water for a complete rinse. Very handy! The Orchard Supply Hardwares around here carry them now and then as a seasonal item.

 

[scottfiji]

I really love the northern channel islands, I've been to santa cruz twice and anacapa 3 times. I just went to santa cruz yesterday, I took a lot of photos and videos, you can access them here, that will give you an idea what marine life to look out for!
http://www.scubapost.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1665

Scott

 

[Empty V]

There are urchins everywhere, I was completing some skills at anacappa and santa cruz island and accidentally hti the heel of mt booty against a nasty black spiny urchin, the worst bee sting ever!

 

[humanFish]

Thanks for all the great posts and information. Unfortunately I had to pull out of this trip, but I hope to reschedule sometime soon.

Thanks a lot for the information and have fun diving.

-humanfish

 

[RonLykins]

I have been on Truth Aquatics sister boats, Vision and Conception, many times (12 or more, stopped counting) but never in April. Basically the terrain and sites vary depending on where the captain can get to with the boat (this is completely up to the weather and wind gods). I have really enjoyed the diving, lots of nudis, kelp bass, kelp, stars, scallops, sea lions, etc. etc. Not too different than Monterey/Carmel diving except that you can count on the water being just slightly warmer (about 10 degrees) bring a good wetsuit and/or dry suit, 5 dives a day or more always make me cold. The vis depends on how much the water has been stired up by storms. I think you will like the boats, I sure do. The bunks are cramped, I always bring my own sleeping bag, light blanket, large and small towel and pillow. I try to get one in the middle of the boat, if the seas get rough you will be affected by the seas much less at the center of the fulcrum. The food is good and plentiful but basic. I always bring a couple bottles of wine for the nights there is no night dive (highly recommend the night dive- easy to just stay dry an warm on the boat but well worth the effort usually). Some guys bring a cooler of beer, cigars, whiskey or what ever they enjoy at the end of a long dive day. The boats move around alot trying to get you the diving conditions you are looking for. If you were unhappy with the dive site, let he captain and crew know in a nice way that you would like to move to try something else. Don't let them just park the boat and keep an open gate where you don't want to dive.

I would echo the advise to bring a big plastic tub for your bc, flashlight, gear etc. which you can put in the center above the tanks. It helps to get to the dock early so you can have a good choise of where to put your tank and gear, not a big deal though I have held the boat up being the very last one on and had to store my gear along the side toward the bow and it did not detract from my experience.

My #1 recommendation though would be to bring your own coffee cup. I bring a stainless steel insulated cup with a screw on top. They provide plastic coffee cups which you are supposed to write your name of the bottom but they all look the same and make any beverage in them taste like diesel fuel. Trust me on this, you will be the envy of everyone on the boat if you bring an insulated cup.

Most of all relax, enjoy, protect the marine eviroment, and be safe.

Ron