100days-a-year
Contributor
Dove a couple days ago on a wreck in 120'ish NE of Jax.Vis was 50' to 100' temp was 74.
Entered the water and noted it was very blue and no particulates at the surface.Headed down the rope as we had anchored T-boning the wreck with the anchor maybe 50' in front,as I head down I am swarmed by jacks,cudas,runners.I get to about 60' and the distinct shape of an eagle ray appears below me,it is about 8' across wingtips.Vis is now about 80' and starts to silt up to about 50' the ray swims off.Reach the bottom and immediately see several grouper and scamp,get dinner and see a stingray about 10' across swins by with 10 attendent cobia from #20 to #50 along with several remora.Swim around the wreck which is about 200' long and entrirely delapidated,it is a late 1800s early 1900s steam powered vessel as yet unidentified.I see a brass ring shining on a boiler tube about 2" in diameter which becomes a display item.Survey the wreck which is about 2' bigger in profile than before thanx to sand washing away.Deck is visible along with boilers,capstans etc... Call the dive and start the ascent noting all kinds of tropicals and of course a zillion lionfish.At 80' I look upthe rope to see the boat and a 12' to 15' manta is doing donuts around my bubbles,he gets close enough to spook himself on the rope and bails after 3-4 circles.The jacks and cudas do another peekaboo and I am out.Nice day.
Entered the water and noted it was very blue and no particulates at the surface.Headed down the rope as we had anchored T-boning the wreck with the anchor maybe 50' in front,as I head down I am swarmed by jacks,cudas,runners.I get to about 60' and the distinct shape of an eagle ray appears below me,it is about 8' across wingtips.Vis is now about 80' and starts to silt up to about 50' the ray swims off.Reach the bottom and immediately see several grouper and scamp,get dinner and see a stingray about 10' across swins by with 10 attendent cobia from #20 to #50 along with several remora.Swim around the wreck which is about 200' long and entrirely delapidated,it is a late 1800s early 1900s steam powered vessel as yet unidentified.I see a brass ring shining on a boiler tube about 2" in diameter which becomes a display item.Survey the wreck which is about 2' bigger in profile than before thanx to sand washing away.Deck is visible along with boilers,capstans etc... Call the dive and start the ascent noting all kinds of tropicals and of course a zillion lionfish.At 80' I look upthe rope to see the boat and a 12' to 15' manta is doing donuts around my bubbles,he gets close enough to spook himself on the rope and bails after 3-4 circles.The jacks and cudas do another peekaboo and I am out.Nice day.
