Wil
Contributor
Another fantastic diving day (night). We departed out of Vinings Landing Marine Center at 1630 Staurday and headed up to the Monroe. The Monroe was a passenger liner that sank after a collision in 1914. She rests about 17nm off Watchapreague in 90ft of water. I enjoy diving this wreck because it's not dove that often and has an amazing amount to offer. The wreck has deteriotated alot sink its sinking but has great opportunities to spearfish, explore, or grab Lobsters.
Onboard Freedom were "the Joe's"; Joe D from Dive Quarters, Jo-Jo from Dive Quarters, and Joe R sometimes from Dive Quarters. We made the 68nm run from Little Creek Inlet in just over 2 hours. Seas were low but choppy and kept our travel speed down. Once we'd cleared the Chesapeake Bay we increased speed but were met by a forecasted wind shift about half way up the coast - more chop. Still 68nm in 2 hours and 15 minutes ain't bad.
Joe D and I made the tie in and set down a wreck reel line for the other pair during their dive. We covered the bow area and surrounding debris field. We bagged a few Lobsters on our first pass and strung 12 Flounder as well. Visibility was better than 40ft eventhough the daylight was fading. We experienced minimal current and temps on the bottom at 47deg. The warm 74deg water above the thermocline (33ft) was welcome during our safety stop.
Our second dive was focused solely on Lobsters. By the time the second divers emerged from the dark we knew the bugs would be on the prowl. Joe and I swept over the wreck putting the females w/eggs back (they were huge) and discarding the smaller bugs. We bagged another 2 dozen bugs on that dive. Just what we needed for tonight's dinner party at Joe's.
Freedom's hardtop and LED lighting were big hit. Switching from LED White to Red was great for getting ready for the dive and the hardtop kept the rain off us during a light rain shower at the end of the dive.
We pulled the hook and started home around 0200. It was slow going on account of the limited visibility (overcast and DARK) so what took 2 hours earlier in the evening took another 2 heading home. We set the autolpilot and took turns standing the wheel watch while the other pair slept. We pulled into Vinings at 0600, unloaded the gear, cleaned the boat, and dressed out the fish in 2 hours...in the rain.
The look at the marina from the early morning fishermen preparing to leave was priceless. At first they couldn't believe we were heading back in or were fishing at night. Then they saw the dive tanks and knew we were crazy for being "out there at night". "Why on earth would we go out at night?" They asked. Then we showed them the cooler full on Lobsters...I reminded them that rods & reels don't work on bugs
Another great day diving on Freedom!
Safe Diving,
Wil
Onboard Freedom were "the Joe's"; Joe D from Dive Quarters, Jo-Jo from Dive Quarters, and Joe R sometimes from Dive Quarters. We made the 68nm run from Little Creek Inlet in just over 2 hours. Seas were low but choppy and kept our travel speed down. Once we'd cleared the Chesapeake Bay we increased speed but were met by a forecasted wind shift about half way up the coast - more chop. Still 68nm in 2 hours and 15 minutes ain't bad.
Joe D and I made the tie in and set down a wreck reel line for the other pair during their dive. We covered the bow area and surrounding debris field. We bagged a few Lobsters on our first pass and strung 12 Flounder as well. Visibility was better than 40ft eventhough the daylight was fading. We experienced minimal current and temps on the bottom at 47deg. The warm 74deg water above the thermocline (33ft) was welcome during our safety stop.
Our second dive was focused solely on Lobsters. By the time the second divers emerged from the dark we knew the bugs would be on the prowl. Joe and I swept over the wreck putting the females w/eggs back (they were huge) and discarding the smaller bugs. We bagged another 2 dozen bugs on that dive. Just what we needed for tonight's dinner party at Joe's.
Freedom's hardtop and LED lighting were big hit. Switching from LED White to Red was great for getting ready for the dive and the hardtop kept the rain off us during a light rain shower at the end of the dive.
We pulled the hook and started home around 0200. It was slow going on account of the limited visibility (overcast and DARK) so what took 2 hours earlier in the evening took another 2 heading home. We set the autolpilot and took turns standing the wheel watch while the other pair slept. We pulled into Vinings at 0600, unloaded the gear, cleaned the boat, and dressed out the fish in 2 hours...in the rain.
The look at the marina from the early morning fishermen preparing to leave was priceless. At first they couldn't believe we were heading back in or were fishing at night. Then they saw the dive tanks and knew we were crazy for being "out there at night". "Why on earth would we go out at night?" They asked. Then we showed them the cooler full on Lobsters...I reminded them that rods & reels don't work on bugs
Another great day diving on Freedom!
Safe Diving,
Wil
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