Boat: MV Sea Sea Searcher II
Weather: Good
Seas: Less than 2 feet
Friday evening before departure local heavy rain was had on shore. This passed before departure. We had a total of 16 divers, this is the maximum total on this boat, including two Team Leaders. Bunk selection and paperwork was done and we departed. The Sea Searcher is a relatively fast boat with a comfortable ride. A little chat and light snack and off to bed.
Saturday: 1st dive at about 7:15AM on West Bank. 2nd dive done after a two hour SI. same site. A little cloudy. Viz was 100+. Note: we had current of varying intensity and direction on each dive made. All the usual Caribbean Reef characters common to the Flower Gardens were present on every dive. Numerous turtles and sharks were seen. No Whale Sharks or Mantas.
Boat moved to East Bank. 3rd and 4th dives: Viz: 100+. Interesting current conditions...surface curent running one direction with it's own temperature, Mid water column a different temperature, and on the bottom, a different temp with the current running in the oposite direction from the surface. All the same beautiful creatures around, including some very large 'cuda's and a few sharks. 5th dive was a very interesting night dive with great viz and a plethora of night creatures. Same conditions as day dives. Earlier in the day we attempted to do a rig dive but were unable to hook up due to opposing wind and current conditions.
During the night we moved from East Bank to Stetson Bank. We made three dives at Stetson. Viz was excellent for Stetson...100+. We had current on all three dives
...totally manageable. Of course, Stetson is rocks, hills and limestone foundation, unlike the coral at the Flower Gardens. As such, the marine life is more visible. Again we saw turtles, sharks, all the reef characters. Schools of very large red snapper and the largest mid water column school of Vermillion Snapper I've ever seen! Absolutely looked like baitfish.
During the 2nd dive at Stetson, the wind jumped up due to a passing thunderstorm. Re-entry was a little bumpy and everyone had a chance to exercise their ladder skills. However, during the Surface Interval the wind subsided and the third and last dive of the trip was just as great as all the preceding.
I would have to give this operation and overall A+!!. Excellent dive briefings before each dive based on in water observations; attention to diver safety...by dive masters and captains alike. It was not necessary to pick up a single diver in the zodiac on the entire trip. Bottom time, maximum depth and remaining air were closely monitored and charted for each diver on each individual dive. Redundant air on checks were made on each diver by crew prior to each giant stride entry.
Cudos to Al, the cook...his great personality, great food and parade of snacks cannot go unmentioned!! This is truly an adventure dive! The same number of dives on a tropical reef comparable to a week in the Caribbean at about 1/4 or 1/3 the cost.
My wife and I and some friends are booked to go again on September 17 & 18. As with any Flower Garden trip...we've got our fingers crossed!! What a trip this time out!!
Regards to all the others on the boat!!
