The Mighty Lexy FEBRUARY 2006 Dive Reports Thread

[divinman]

Date: 02/18/2006
Dive Location: La Jolla Shores/ Secret Gardens to the North Wall
Buddy(ies): Sean
Time: 08:26am
Bottom Time: 67 minutes
Max Depth: 107ft
Vis: Solid 15 to 20 ft
Wave height: 0-2
Temp at depth: 57f
Surface Temp: 54f
Gas mix: Air

Date: 02/18/2006
Dive Location: La Jolla Shores/ Main Wall
Buddy (ies): Sean
Time: 11:26a
Surface Interval: 1 Hr 52 minutes
Bottom Time: 62 minutes
Max Depth: 81ft
Vis: 15-20. Amazing in the shallows
Wave height: 0-3ft
Temp at depth: 52F
Surface Temp: 57F
Gas mix: Air

Gallery:http://www.scubapost.net/forums/Scorpionfish/021806/

Comments:

Sean and I met at the Shores this morning, along with 100 other divers. It was raining as I drove across the 52 but it cleared near the 5 and was only a cold gloomy morning at the beach. At least it wasn't raining. Sean and I geared up, discussed our plan and headed out in front of the lifeguard tower. The "waves" were laughable and easily passed. We kicked out to just past the orange buoy and then made our descent into the clear and crisp water. Meeting at the bottom we did a final check and headed west and down the draw to the Secret Gardens. Squid egg patched litter the bottom in patches. At one point we found the largest ocean whitefish feeding on a patch. I am so used to seeing the small whitefish hiding in the wall that I didn't realize they get as large as we found. These were at least a foot long and fat and tall. Pretty cool. We hooked the left at explored the gardens, finding nudibranchs, shrimp, tiny baby rockfish and an octopus. From there we headed north and up the slope to the north wall. Tons of life out here as usual, including the millions of brittle stars, more octopus, nudibranchs, scorpionfish and sculpin. Lobster watched us pass as sheephead cruised the wall while blacksmith and baitfish spiraled above the rim. A barking sea lion even paid us a call as we worked our way north. At our turn pressure we moved up over the edge and headed back southeast to the beach. Visibility in the shallows was amazing and I paused at 20 feet to watch the light dance on the sand. Eventually surfacing in front of the tower in 6ft of water. Still no surf to speak of so the walk out was easy. Sun was out in force and all was good with the world.

Fast forward two hours and we find conditions still spectacular. Cheryl arrived and convinced Sean that a little water in the drysuit should not keep him from enjoying the nice conditions of the day. We geared up and again swam out to the orange buoy and beyond. Dropping in at 28ft we slowly worked our way southwest. We spent 15 minutes in the detritus field above the canyon edge. Nudibranchs abound here and we saw Papilosa, D. Picta, Spanish Shawls, Three lined aeolids, Frondosus, and more. As we continued west and south we reached the main wall and followed it along to the point and then back across the sand where the bubble snail population seems to have exploded. An easy swim back in the dancing sunbeams and we surfaced near the bathrooms. Walking back up the beach, I couldn't help but grin. If only all the dives here were like today. But then again, would we appreciate them as much if that were the case?

Terry S.

 

[da squeeze]

Date: 2/18/06
Dive Location: Oil Rigs Eureka, Ellen and Elly
Buddy(ies): Todd and Kyle from Calfornia Diving Company
Time: 8:00, 9:45, 11:30
Bottom Time: :38, :39, :37
Max Depth: 78, 95, 54 fsw
Vis: 100+
Wave height: 0-1 ft
Surge: nil
Temp at depth: 57 F
Gas mix: 21%

The second and third dives were at rigs Ellen and Elly, the two connected by the overhead catwalk. Ellen is the drilling rig, and has more internal structure than Elly. The vis was not quite as dramatic as Eureka, but at the first platform at 40 ft we could easily see the second platform. We descended toward the second platform down to about 90 ft, then thought the better of the depth being the second dive of the three. We slowly ascended swimming around the inside. The plant/fishlife was pretty similar to Eureka, but the structure was quite different. The first platform has a number of horizontal holes in the cross members, measuring maybe a couple feet in diameter. We also saw some interesting venting out of one of the pipes at about 50 ft., not something you'd want to get too close to.

Elly is the pumping rig, and has the least internal structure. The first platform at about 40 ft has just a few cross members. We did at least a couple laps around the outer edge, finally giving in to the cold water and ending the dive.
.

thats funny, i used to work out there and now i finally kinda know someone that has dove there

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Date: 2-18-06
Location: Old Marineland
Buddy: Rickster
Time: 8:40 & 10:45 AM
Bottom Time: 41min & 37min
Max Depth: 36 & 37fsw
Vis: 25 & 20ft
Wave Height: 1 to 2ft.
Temp. at Depth:53 deg.
Comments: Entered from the cove both times, swam out pass the point then decended. Headed about 40 to 50 deg. & hit the reef. I let Rick do the leading since he's been there many more times then I have. We saw alot of marine life, a bunch of Octopi hiding in little cervices & under ledges. I spotted a horned shark in a fish swim through. We seen only 2 lobsters in one hole but couldn't get them. All in all it was a great day of diving, I really enjoyed diving with rick. Rick we have to do it again soon. Sorry we missed you Maxbottomtime maybe next time. It was a great day to dive also, sunshine blue skies. BTW MaxB there was another group there looking for the platform & didn't find it.

Happy Diving
John

I was on the boat offshore from the cove. We saw you and Rick exiting. I'm convinced the platform was moved by the high surf we had there in December and January. If surge can right the Spigel Grove in Florida, it can surely toss our little platform around. I found more teak from the deck and one of the large nets that was on it before. BTW, the reef you were on has only about 10% of the life that the other one does. Next time you dive there, enter at the other point or make the long swim about 120 degrees from the cove. It's definately worth it.

 

[headhunter]

I'm convinced the platform was moved by the high surf we had there in December and January. If surge can right the Spigel Grove in Florida, it can surely toss our little platform around. I found more teak from the deck and one of the large nets that was on it before.

I was thinking about this last night and figured the same thing.

Since it's such a small structure and was at a relatively shallow depth, it could have either moved or maybe all of that sand that used to be on the beach has buried it.

These are the only logical conclusions since you probably would have snagged the metal structure by now when sweeping the bottom with your line.

Maybe it got pushed into the area to the "left" as you enter at the pebble beach. I didn't see how the waves were coming in, but I'm picturing it zig-zagging in that direction as the waves pushed it toward the beach and then the receding water pushed it away from the beach.

Just a thought (or two).

Christian

 

[Skull]

Date: 2/18/06
Dive Location: HMCS Yukon- Dove off my boat
Buddy(ies): Doc, Tyler,and Rob
Time: 8:00am
Bottom Time: 20:20 min
Max Depth: 92'
Vis: 10-15'
Wave height: choppy/rolling
Temp at depth: 54-57 F
Surface Temp:57 beautiful degrees F partly cloudy w/ off shore breeze
Tide information: tide lifting
Gas mix:21%
Comments:Just meet Tyler and his friend Rob for the first time, two really exceptional divers and all around great guys. Tyler responded to my post concerning my lost anchor. Both came equiped, prepaired and determined to help. Really refeshing to be around solid people. Loaded up my boat with all of the gear and headed out of Mission Bay. Surf was reasonable with a moderate wind chop, however the load on my outboard was noticable as my Merc 150 worked pretty hard to achieve a decent plane. Then again it is a work horse and we had a mission to complete. Hit the dive site and tied onto two inflatibles with divers already in the water. I tended while Tyler, Rob and Doc dove the site. Ten minutes into the dive a lift bag pops up next to the lead inflatible, attached is some really nice rope and a anchor w/ weight belt attached ... just not mine! Apparently the Yukon is a vortex for boat anchors... a few minutes later pops up another lift bag. This time my anchor is attached. Great job guys...apparently they couldn't free the rope since the surge fouled the line inside the Yukon. After securing the anchor and lifting gear I dove the site behind Doc. Descending the buoy line I passed Rob who was in the middle of his deco stop and passed Tyler along with 20 other divers off of the Lois Ann.
I have to say it was a perfect day for diving the vis was good, there were plenty of fish schooling around the wreak @ ~ 70' very light surge and plenty to see today. Just a really great day ...tried out my new DC -Suunto Cobra and a new mask...got a little sick climbing back up ladder...had a camoflaged recovery though I'm sure Rob noticed my plight.

Again thanks for all of your help...

paul

 

[Rickster]

Date: 2-18-06
Location: Old Marineland
Buddy: Rickster
Time: 8:40 & 10:45 AM
Bottom Time: 41min & 37min
Max Depth: 36 & 37fsw
Vis: 25 & 20ft
Wave Height: 1 to 2ft.
Temp. at Depth:53 deg.
Comments: Entered from the cove both times, swam out pass the point then decended. Headed about 40 to 50 deg. & hit the reef. I let Rick do the leading since he's been there many more times then I have. We saw alot of marine life, a bunch of Octopi hiding in little cervices & under ledges. I spotted a horned shark in a fish swim through. We seen only 2 lobsters in one hole but couldn't get them. All in all it was a great day of diving, I really enjoyed diving with rick. Rick we have to do it again soon. Sorry we missed you Maxbottomtime maybe next time. It was a great day to dive also, sunshine blue skies. BTW MaxB there was another group there looking for the platform & didn't find it.

Happy Diving
John

Thanks for the great dives, John. We will do it again, for sure. I told you MaxBottomtime is usually around. Next time we will go over to the right. I have been there once and it was awesome.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Date: February 19, 2006
Dive Location: Marineland
Buddy(ies): DiveVets group
Time: 9:21
Bottom Time: 1:14
Max Depth: 64'
Vis: 20'
Wave height: 0-1'
Temp at depth: 54F
Comments: As we neared the point we saw a large Gray whale swimming by just a couple hundred yards offshore. We had an uneventful entry, which is always nice. After swimming out as a group to the edge of the reef, we chose sides and dropped down. I found my first of close to a dozen Hopkin's Rose nudibranches on the first rock I saw. The vis was good and the surface was flat, so I made a very slow swim toward the cove. Along the way, I saw the usual critters including several octopus, nudis, a school of Sargo and even a Garibaldi. They are actually uncommon on the main reef. The sand was stirred up in the cove, so I stood up when I got to seven feet and easily walked out. We debriefed in the parking lot, which took 3 1/2 hours. It was such a nice day, nobody wanted to leave.

 

[wetrat]

Wow! Those pictures are excellent Phil!

 

[riguerin]

Date: 2/19/06
Dive Location: North Crescent Bay, Laguna
Buddy(ies): Brandon Guerin
Time: 12:20pm
Bottom Time: 72 min
Max Depth: 40 fsw
Vis: 15-25+ ft
Wave height: 0-1 ft
Surge: 0-1 ft
Temp at depth: 57 F
Surface Temp: N/A
Tide information: High ; +2.7 ft
Gas mix: 21%

Comments: We finally got some fresh snow in the local mountains. However, the coastal weather looked great this morning as did the ocean conditions. We didn't really get that much rain, so run-off didn't appear to be much of a problem. So, Brandon and I decided to forgo the long, prez-weekend, lift lines in favor of a local dive.

We headed up to North Crescent. The conditions were awesome as we finned out. We dropped down in approx 20 fsw, where we encountered around 25+ ft of vis and negligible surge. We poked around the cracks and crevices as we worked our way west. We tagged teamed a couple bugs; both of which ended up measuring short. Along the way, we also encountered some large sheep crab, cabezon and scorpionfish , kelp bass, and tons of little painted greenlings. The vis deteriorated significantly on the backside of the reef, where we reached depths of 40 fsw. We made the turn when Brandon hit 1700 psi. The return trip was similar to the outbound leg, with much improved vis on the easterly facing ledges. Along the way, we stopped to catch another bug. We finally got him after about 5 minutes ... another short. We saw another giant sheep crab just before we made the turn north into the sandy flats. Here, we encountered a several little soles in the sand, ranging from just a few inches to almost a foot in length. Overall, it was a very fun dive. This was a nice milestone for Brandon; first dive over 60 min. He surfaced with approx 500 psi, using an HP80. Way to go, little buddy ! :yelclap:

 

[Rickster]

...... This was a nice milestone for Brandon; first dive over 60 min. He surfaced with approx 500 psi, using an HP80. Way to go, little buddy ! :yelclap:

Hooray, Brandon!

:monkeydan :fruit: :bang: :wave-smil :yl2jump: :jump013: artytime

Great job!