Had 2 landmark dives with Peter & Lynne today.
Dive 1: Operation Carthaginian ...
We were given the heading to find the Carthaginian from Puamana park (Thank you Halemano and KrisB) Despite a few "blunders" (that I need to work out the wrinkles on for future scooter dives) and equipment losses (Peters poor strobe now at home somewhere between Puamana park and the Carthaginian - if you see it let him know) it turned out to be a sucessful dive. I was in doubles, Peter carried an extra 80cf stage and Lynne ... well she can do a 90 minute dive on a spare air
We scootered for 16 minutes on a heading of 210* from Puamana park (we left from the South end of the parking lot). Because the wreck is "deepish" we stayed at about 40fsw for the trip out. Just when I was starting to think we'd missed it I see this dark "blob" in the distance and within a minute it had resolved into a clear view of the Carthaginian shipwreck. Atlantis Submarine company sank it here 2 years ago, and it's become a nice dive site.
Dive 2: Shark Pit
After returning to shore we decided to let the scooters have a rest (they worked hard on that first dive) and we headed off to Shark Pit. Nice dive that begins with a shallow surface swim of a couple hundred yards.
Living up to it's name, we were treated to 4 white tips today all 3-5ft.
But the real treat of the dive (besides Peter and Lynne being there) came before we even submerged. I heard a snorkler behind me, turning to make sure I didn't run into him I was taken aback to see it was a Monk seal not 4 feet away from me at the surface (we were only in about 3 ft of water at most) He came to check us out, then dove down into the "pit" where we watched him play for nearly 20 minutes. At the surface were 2 spearfishermen who were watching him play as well, though I'm not sure how happy they were when he swam up and stole a fish off their stringer for his dinner.
All in all it was another beautiful day diving on Maui and all I can do is thank God for allowing us as divers to enjoy the beauty and amazing sights that we get to witness first hand.
Aloha, Tim
Dive 1: Operation Carthaginian ...
We were given the heading to find the Carthaginian from Puamana park (Thank you Halemano and KrisB) Despite a few "blunders" (that I need to work out the wrinkles on for future scooter dives) and equipment losses (Peters poor strobe now at home somewhere between Puamana park and the Carthaginian - if you see it let him know) it turned out to be a sucessful dive. I was in doubles, Peter carried an extra 80cf stage and Lynne ... well she can do a 90 minute dive on a spare air
Dive 2: Shark Pit
After returning to shore we decided to let the scooters have a rest (they worked hard on that first dive) and we headed off to Shark Pit. Nice dive that begins with a shallow surface swim of a couple hundred yards.
Living up to it's name, we were treated to 4 white tips today all 3-5ft.
But the real treat of the dive (besides Peter and Lynne being there) came before we even submerged. I heard a snorkler behind me, turning to make sure I didn't run into him I was taken aback to see it was a Monk seal not 4 feet away from me at the surface (we were only in about 3 ft of water at most) He came to check us out, then dove down into the "pit" where we watched him play for nearly 20 minutes. At the surface were 2 spearfishermen who were watching him play as well, though I'm not sure how happy they were when he swam up and stole a fish off their stringer for his dinner.
All in all it was another beautiful day diving on Maui and all I can do is thank God for allowing us as divers to enjoy the beauty and amazing sights that we get to witness first hand.
Aloha, Tim
