The Ocean Gods were only teasing us yesterday

[MaxBottomtime]

We headed back out to the Redondo artificial reef and landing craft for a chance to get wide angle images in the remarkable visibility. The swells were down from yesterday and winds were light, but the visibility was back to normal. We had about half the vis we had yesterday.
We still had a great time. There were Pyrosoma atlanticum floating around the reef, and Merry made a new friend on the landing craft.

Redondo Beach Artificial Reef

It looks like a sea cucumber just finished his seafood platter.

The landing craft

Merry looks for a good spot to photograph her new dive buddy

Not everyone wants to be friends

He tried to follow Merry home, but had trouble climbing the chain. He did try, though.

 

[Craig Hoover]

I have searched for information on the artificial reefs off Redondo. Here is what ChartGuide California, 8th edition by Ed Winlund has to say about the area.

"Redondo Reef in 72 feet, placed in 1962, has 1000 tons of quarry rock in 4 piles, in 1975 adding 100-ft barge & 350 tons concrete pipe, & in 1976 adding 400 tons of concrete piling & slabs, over 200 x 600 ft."

I believe that this book is out of print. There is much good information, especially about lesser known areas in Central California.

I have not yet found any other reliable sources of information about this reef aside from Max and Merry's posts.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

California Department of Fish & Game, Marine Region, A Guide to the Artificial Reefs of Southern California
The coordinates are all bad, but there are usually boats in the area to "borrow" numbers from after they leave.

 

[FrankPro1]

Did the Sheep crab really try to climb up the chain? If so, that's awesome. I know Merry had the same effect on you Its hard to resist the allure of a smart, compassionate, underwater photographer. Especially one of the opposite sex!

Really great shots Phil. Dig the third shot on the Landing craft. That wreck is bursting with life! The 12th photo on the Landing craft with Merry looking at the Sheep crab is also really nice. These shots have a really wide FOV. What lens are you using?!

Alas, today I was dry again due to helping out with a family members recovery from intensive surgery. Work / Grandma nursing duties will keep me busy to at least Thursday, but conditions are forecast to hold till then. Fingers crossed.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I think the sheepcrab was actually walking across the chain, but the swells were lifting it off the bottom and it hung on each time. After we were about ten feet off the bottom we saw the crab walk in a circle as if he missed Merry.
I used a Nikon 16-24mm lens set at 16mm today hoping to get some great shots of the inside section of the wreck, but the reduced vis ruined all but one of them. The great vis of Saturday was very unexpected. I wish I had switched days of macro/wide angle.

 

[FrankPro1]

I wonder what the history of the vessel is. Ca Wreck divers lists it as unknown. Maybe Patrick Smith has some info.

LCM3 Higgins Landing Craft with landing door open

Diagram of LCM3