ODA Retrieval @ OML: 6Jun10

[Divebum Don]

ODA headed out for Long Point, PV, last Sunday. With good surface and sun conditions predicted to try and finish the last net recovery and get some traps from there. 4 divers waited on board for the signal from the first 2 man team @ the OML Platform about; workable (safe) Vizz, prevailing current @ depth, position onsite and anchor tackle clear, and overall working conditions. As well as shoot some “before” video of the site. Unfortunately 2 feet of vizz is not doable for the remaining jobs planned for today…!@#$%^&*(;~(

We then made way over to the edge of the abundant kelp at about 40’ deep, where during the previous weekend ODA divers (from shore) Al Laubenstein and Ted Sharshan moved and left marked a derelict lobster trap (door open). We made short order of diving, lifting, and retrieving the trap on board the ” R/V Cleartwater”, and quickly removed the few juvenile Brittle Stars from it. About 6’ of vizz along the kelp @ 40’. Not a great dive day, but we don’t ask that much… ;~)

We’ll try it again next week. Thanks to our new volunteer divers, Ted (we’ll get you wet next time, promise) from the Catalina Conservancy, and Billy from the Santa Monica Bay Keepers.. Billy makes a great new addition U/W, good to dive with you!

 

[FrankPro1]

Charlie and I ran into that Lobster Trap "just as you said we might" last week when we made our Point to Cove dive. Glad to know you guy's are out there making it safer for the critters. If you ever need another volunteer dive or Veggie Chef , let me know

 

[Divebum Don]

Ocean Defenders Alliance volunteer divers gave another Sunday to do some good work ;~) Vizz was barely better than last week (6Jun10) at the OML Platform. 4’ feet O’vizz is workable, it goes to near zero anyway when the cuttin’ starts. We were short handed with 1 no-show diver, and 1 diver was suffering from King Neptune’s Revenge.

Only 2 Teams jumped (sorry no Vids) The first team’s report from the bottom via our new O.T.S. U/W Comms System (Thanks OTS, and Steve at Ocean Adventures, Venice) was that we had workable vizz and the anchor tackle was clear. The second team gave team one plenty of time to make their “silt out” mess before descending. In the fridged temps, both teams made short order of cutting away large sections of potential Ghost Nets. These seine (insane) nets were then left behind for the second dives of final removal and bundling.

After a traditional interval for any 90’ foot air dives, both teams jumped in for a finish cut, and bundle dive. Team one got a huge bundle, but lost the “anchor up” line, they made a blue water ascent with their “treasure” in hand, good work guys! Team two cut and bundled a large section also and secured it for recovery on the “Clearwater's” anchor tackle. Wind and weather came up, we were glad to get our ‘drift divers’ back on board :~) Most of the net is now gone with a little left to go get from the sand. We rescued a dungeoness crab hopelessly tangled at depth, and a couple Juvenile Octos from the nets at the surface.

Very glad to get new volunteer diver Ted Sharshan on board, and thanks to all you donors who make this work feasible.

ODA