the USCG DUANE and MOLASSES REEF, wednesday, 2/26/14, pics,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[reefman]

last diving day before the weather goes downhill and I go out of town. warm sunny skies(79F), light winds and calm seas greeted us early this morning(winds and seas picked up on the way back in, as predicted), most excellent conditions!! 1ST dive: the USCG DUANE, buoy D3(stern), blue water, viz 70-80 FT, negligible current, water temp 77F @ 60-105FT. what a great wreck especially with no current, like a swimming pool(except for all the friggin fishing line/weights/lures)! due to our 36 EAN mix on our second cylinder(31 mix on the first) and time constraints we elected to dive the nearest reef instead of a double on the duane. 2ND dive: MOLASSES buoy M9(eagle ray alley, northstar, loguns run), blue viz 50-60FT(improving as we completed the dive), minimal current, 78-79F @ 25-40FT. once again 2 reef sharks(reliable sightings recently), but no schooling snappers/groupers. not as active as yesterday but enjoyable. captures from TIMG,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

pics 1-5 MO
pics 6-15 DUANE

reefman
key largo

 

[drrich2]

Envious of the viz. & lack of current diving the Duane. My one dive there, last September, I wasn't so fortunate, but I still enjoyed it.

Richard.

 

[Doc Harry]

I've hit the Duane a few times with zero current, it certainly is a completely different dive than when it's dark and ripping.

Really nice pics, thanks for sharing. Good to see a real shark.

 

[timg]

I've hit the Duane a few times with zero current, it certainly is a completely different dive than when it's dark and ripping.

Really nice pics, thanks for sharing. Good to see a real shark.

Thank you Doc. We have been seeing these sharks frequently the last couple months. Nice to watch them grow and we are hoping the long-liner does not get them.

 

[drrich2]

Quick tip for people considering a Key Largo trip and hitting wrecks like the Spiegel Grove, Duane and Bibb.

Bring some gloves. I didn't, dove the S.G. and Duane, and I don't think I cut my hands, but those mooring lines had barnacles on them, and I could see where someone could get cut.

I didn't notice any stinging injuries, though. Historically I'd been concerned about fire coral on mooring lines; barnacles weren't even on my radar till then.

Richard.

 

[CajunDiva]

That's a very good observation Richard. When diving these wrecks, one must stay on the line during descent and ascent due to the normal currents. I have been the victim of fire coral more than once when I didn't wear gloves. Since then I'm absolutely anal about putting on my gloves for those dives!

 

[scubastingray]

Reefman, my envy of you grows with every thread you post. You dive my favorite sites on a near daily basis. That's pretty awesome.

 

[reefman]

Reefman, my envy of you grows with every thread you post. You dive my favorite sites on a near daily basis. That's pretty awesome.

timg(who does the lionshare of the work, editing photos: over 800 yesterday!) and I appreciate the comments. living here isn't utopia, but damn close especially if you enjoy scuba diving/snorkeling/fishing etc. overall we've had, with a few exceptions, a terrific winter season on and below the water this year,,


reefman
key largo

 

[reefman]

Quick tip for people considering a Key Largo trip and hitting wrecks like the Spiegel Grove, Duane and Bibb.

Bring some gloves. I didn't, dove the S.G. and Duane, and I don't think I cut my hands, but those mooring lines had barnacles on them, and I could see where someone could get cut.

I didn't notice any stinging injuries, though. Historically I'd been concerned about fire coral on mooring lines; barnacles weren't even on my radar till then.




great point(also add fishing hooks/lures). photo of our mooring line and my boat during the ascent from timg yesterday on the DUANE buoy D3(stern),,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,


reefman
key largo

 

[scubastingray]

timg(who does the lionshare of the work, editing photos: over 800 yesterday!) and I appreciate the comments. living here isn't utopia, but damn close especially if you enjoy scuba diving/snorkeling/fishing etc. overall we've had, with a few exceptions, a terrific winter season on and below the water this year,,


reefman
key largo

I was down around new years and only got a day of diving as most of the days had 6 footers which were too much for our 24ft boat. We had brought it down in the past and had no issues with the waves, but in non summer months i'll probably use a dive op from now on.