Dive Report: Bull Point, RI (1-21-07)

[RIOceanographer]

Tampico_Ed and I hit Bull Point yesterday. My regulator decided to buy the farm right before the dive (free flow), so I had to make an emergency run to Ocean State Scuba. Luckily they gave me a free loaner while they took my reg in for service. My tank has a DIN fitting, and none of their available rental gear was DIN so one of the instructors there, Matt, actually gave me his own personal reg to use! Big kudos to Matt at OSS for saving my dive!

Vis was around 10ft, water temp was about 43F, but the kicker was the air temp which was 28F with a pretty strong breeze from the north. Sea conditions were fine but the wind chill made taking the hood and gloves off after the dive a bit painful. I guess we finally found winter.

Marine life was pretty scarce, as expected this time of year. Mostly inverts and the occasional cunner. I am sure Ed will follow up with pictures

 

[ThatsSomeBadHatHarry]

Excellent work, gentlemen. 43 degrees. Ridiculous. Matt gave me his personal air source hose for my AOW when my reg was getting fixed. Good guy.

 

[RIOceanographer]

Dave!!! How's it going?

Oh, and if you haven't been diving out there yet, I am not speaking to you!

 

[ThatsSomeBadHatHarry]

Dave!!! How's it going?

Oh, and if you haven't been diving out there yet, I am not speaking to you!

I'm glad I talked to you today instead of yesterday, then!
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=174989

 

[Tampico_ED]

Hi Rio,

When you called me to go diving, I almost passed out. The diving was great after all the little inconvenients we finally got into the water.

I came across an entangle crab, could not help because I did not have my knife. My dive buddy was to far. Sad!

Well indeed not to much critters but in exchange there were a lot of colorful sponges and anemones.

I hope you enjoy the pictures...

 

[RIOceanographer]

Ed,
If the third picture down is what you were asking me about after the dive, it is is a frilled anemone. It is the same species as the anemone in the second picture down, but with its tentacles retracted.

 

[ScubaSarus]

Are the anemones coming back ?

 

[Gilldiver]

Any sightings of Lionfish? They should have died off at about 60F. They are the last thing I would want to get established up here.

 

[RIOceanographer]

Are the anemones coming back ?

A few of them have returned, but it is still nothing like it was.

 

[RIOceanographer]

Any sightings of Lionfish? They should have died off at about 60F. They are the last thing I would want to get established up here.

It is safe to say they are gone until the next batch of juveniles is swept in by the currents next summer. Our winters are just too cold for them to become permanently established here.