Trip Report: BlackBeard’s Cruises 24-30 May

[Nuts4koi]

I did a trip with Blackbeards the week before T.C. It was a trip to move Diadema (spiny sea urchins) back onto reefs where the had died out. Bruce Purdy was aboard for this trip and supervised the capture and placement of the urchins. No one was forced to do this or to clean the coral heads prior to transplanting the urchins. There wasn't anyone on board that didn't help out. It was great to Bruce on board as he has exceptional knowledge about the reefs in the Bahamas in general and the Diadema in particular. On my trip, I was on the Sea Explorer with Capt. Tom. The whole crew was outstanding and extremely helpful. The only downside to the trip was the weather. We had fairly heavy winds and rain, but it never interfered with the diving or the fun. I agree with what T.C. said. If you go once you'll be hooked. I know I definitely want to go back.

 

[Tanked]

Yes. I was traveling alone but they required buddy diving and it was easy to get buddied up... and I enjoyed diving with the buddies.

Cool thanks Doc.
I emailed them a couple days ago. Hopefully I get a reply soon.

 

[emoreira]

When diving with sharks within the liveaboard, are you required to be completely covered ? I mean, full wetsuit, boots, gloves and hood ? Or just what you need for the water temp ?

 

[drbill]

I don't remember any specific requirements re: exposure suits, etc... only ones regarding how we were to act or interact

 

[T.C.]

When diving with sharks within the liveaboard, are you required to be completely covered ? I mean, full wetsuit, boots, gloves and hood ? Or just what you need for the water temp ?

There were no exposure suit requirements during the entire trip. You could have dove with just a swimsuit if you wanted. But, being in the water for 3-5 hours a day, you will probably get chilled. I would recommend exposure protection for your trip, which will also protect you from fire corals. I don't think a wetsuit will do much if a shark wanted to graze on your forearm. Why do you ask?

The Shark Dive was guided. One DM (Megan) went in first, and everyone followed her. The dive is on the Austin Smith wreck, so you all go to the starboard bow, and line up on the rail. Forward of the rail is the "no-go" zone. When everyone is in place, Breezy swam down the chumsicle on a long rope, and wrestled it into place on the opposite side of the hull. You then watch the ensuing melee. If you want a closer view, you can drift up a about ten feet, and the sharks will come in closer on their way to and from the bait. You never drift forward of the rail.

When the chumsicle is gone, Breezy swims in front and signals everyone to this, and you can go look for shark teeth, which you're allowed to take home. You can then finish up your dive on the wreck and reef.

 

[emoreira]

There were no exposure suit requirements during the entire trip. You could have dove with just a swimsuit if you wanted. But, being in the water for 3-5 hours a day, you will probably get chilled. I would recommend exposure protection for your trip, which will also protect you from fire corals. I don't think a wetsuit will do much if a shark wanted to graze on your forearm. Why do you ask?

The Shark Dive was guided. One DM (Megan) went in first, and everyone followed her. The dive is on the Austin Smith wreck, so you all go to the starboard bow, and line up on the rail. Forward of the rail is the "no-go" zone. When everyone is in place, Breezy swam down the chumsicle on a long rope, and wrestled it into place on the opposite side of the hull. You then watch the ensuing melee. If you want a closer view, you can drift up a about ten feet, and the sharks will come in closer on their way to and from the bait. You never drift forward of the rail.

When the chumsicle is gone, Breezy swims in front and signals everyone to this, and you can go look for shark teeth, which you're allowed to take home. You can then finish up your dive on the wreck and reef.

I was told that the dive with sharks, the diver should be completely covered to avoid showing white skin, that could be confused with food.

 

[T.C.]

I was told that the dive with sharks, the diver should be completely covered to avoid showing white skin, that could be confused with food.

Uh...that doesn't make any sense at all to me.

I don't think whoever told you that understands how sharks find food.

 

[Midge907]

Nice report, one of the best ones I've ever read. One of these day I may try this trip out. Was surprised that a live aboard dive master only gets in the water a few times, unless she is doing training. Not a big deal, just surprising.

 

[drrich2]

I don't think whoever told you that understands how sharks find food.

I imagine they use more than one sense. Just how visually oriented they are I don't know, but be mindful that on a shark feed dive, the shark is aware that a number of competitors are present, and the perceived urgency to go after food fast may be higher than if a shark is alone. I don't know whether this is an issue in the real world, but a caucasian's hand at the end of a black wetsuit clad arm could look somewhat like a piece of white fish meat being held out. Then again, not all shark feeds are done the same; a chumsicle approach vs. hand-feeding pieces of meat, for example.

I, too, have wondered how advisable it is to be extensively covered up.

Richard.

 

[T.C.]

I don't think that there was a big risk of my hand being mistaken for a fish.


This was taken a day before the shark dive, and I didn't change anything for that dive. Because my hands lack the smell and movement of a fish, as well as their proximity to what a shark would perceive as another large fish, I personally doubt there is much risk of me losing a hand on this dive.