Eric Sedletzky
Contributor
Good day folks,
We have a slew of purple urchin removal dives coming up on Sundays at Stillwater Cove in Sonoma County starting October 27th and through to the end of the year.
10/27
11/3
11/10
11/17
11/24
11/1
11/8
11/15
12/22
12/29
All these tentative dives are weather dependent.
I am always there at 8:00 AM to set up.
If you are new, please let me know. For first timers I like them to be there at 8:00 to fill out a waiver form and to be briefed. We like things to go as smoothly as possible, so it’s important that you’re well briefed before the dive day with protocols, gear requirements, etc.
We can start here with a conversation about what you need and how to use everything.
Things you will need:
CA fishing license.
All your own scuba gear.
Make sure everything is in working order.
If you rented gear make sure you’re familiar with it and nothing is missing. Make sure it fits well. The site is remote and there are no dive shops in the area. Some of us have tools and some emergency O-rings, etc. but It’s best to be 100% self sufficient.
Bring two tanks.
You will need game collection bags.
We use the large green Trident game bags with the metal hinged hoop.
You need at least one but two is better. Some of us have three that we can fill on one dive.
You will also need a 50# lift bag to float the full bags to the surface. You will need stainless steel double ender bolt snaps for EACH item listed above. You will need a cheap hand help gardening rake to rake urchins into your bag. Put a wrist lanyard on the handle so you don’t lose it. make sure you have good kevlar dive gloves. We also use a 3/8” yellow poly line to tow the floating bags into shore. The line comes in a 50’ pack and is available at Home Depot. It comes with the tool to make end loops. I looped a stainless ring at each end so I could clip it off to the lift bag and I hold the other end. I swim in underwater towing the bags because it’s much more efficient and easier than dragging them in surface swimming.
All bags will get weighed and logged then all the by-catch will get sorted out and returned to the ocean. We will take care of all the containers and the transport of the urchins.
We’re also always looking for shore support.
I have several functions that need to be done.
I need a person to log divers in and out of the water that is attentive and will not be distracted.
I need weighers and sorters. I also need a media person that can take my iPhone and go around and capture footage of the day for our Instagram page. I would also love to have a person that can assist people filling out release forms and also hand out air fill vouchers to divers when they are done diving for each tank used to collect urchins. SeaTrees.org has funded us for free air fills so that is a huge bonus.
A lot of times I am still in the water so it’s difficult for me to get to everything.
I also need someone that can work the water line and assist divers getting in and out of the water, and to pull bags out of the surf zone and drag them up to the scale.
This would require wearing wetsuit bottoms and booties if possible. The water is cold, 53 degrees right now.
We also now have a complete O2 set up for safety.
There is always a lot of activity and it gets exciting!
If you are reading this because of a link, become a member here and you can post. It’s quick and easy, just choose a user name and register.
It’s open to any questions and discussion.
Let’s start a thread!
Cheers!
Eric Sedletzky
PURP
We have a slew of purple urchin removal dives coming up on Sundays at Stillwater Cove in Sonoma County starting October 27th and through to the end of the year.
10/27
11/3
11/10
11/17
11/24
11/1
11/8
11/15
12/22
12/29
All these tentative dives are weather dependent.
I am always there at 8:00 AM to set up.
If you are new, please let me know. For first timers I like them to be there at 8:00 to fill out a waiver form and to be briefed. We like things to go as smoothly as possible, so it’s important that you’re well briefed before the dive day with protocols, gear requirements, etc.
We can start here with a conversation about what you need and how to use everything.
Things you will need:
CA fishing license.
All your own scuba gear.
Make sure everything is in working order.
If you rented gear make sure you’re familiar with it and nothing is missing. Make sure it fits well. The site is remote and there are no dive shops in the area. Some of us have tools and some emergency O-rings, etc. but It’s best to be 100% self sufficient.
Bring two tanks.
You will need game collection bags.
We use the large green Trident game bags with the metal hinged hoop.
You need at least one but two is better. Some of us have three that we can fill on one dive.
You will also need a 50# lift bag to float the full bags to the surface. You will need stainless steel double ender bolt snaps for EACH item listed above. You will need a cheap hand help gardening rake to rake urchins into your bag. Put a wrist lanyard on the handle so you don’t lose it. make sure you have good kevlar dive gloves. We also use a 3/8” yellow poly line to tow the floating bags into shore. The line comes in a 50’ pack and is available at Home Depot. It comes with the tool to make end loops. I looped a stainless ring at each end so I could clip it off to the lift bag and I hold the other end. I swim in underwater towing the bags because it’s much more efficient and easier than dragging them in surface swimming.
All bags will get weighed and logged then all the by-catch will get sorted out and returned to the ocean. We will take care of all the containers and the transport of the urchins.
We’re also always looking for shore support.
I have several functions that need to be done.
I need a person to log divers in and out of the water that is attentive and will not be distracted.
I need weighers and sorters. I also need a media person that can take my iPhone and go around and capture footage of the day for our Instagram page. I would also love to have a person that can assist people filling out release forms and also hand out air fill vouchers to divers when they are done diving for each tank used to collect urchins. SeaTrees.org has funded us for free air fills so that is a huge bonus.
A lot of times I am still in the water so it’s difficult for me to get to everything.
I also need someone that can work the water line and assist divers getting in and out of the water, and to pull bags out of the surf zone and drag them up to the scale.
This would require wearing wetsuit bottoms and booties if possible. The water is cold, 53 degrees right now.
We also now have a complete O2 set up for safety.
There is always a lot of activity and it gets exciting!
If you are reading this because of a link, become a member here and you can post. It’s quick and easy, just choose a user name and register.
It’s open to any questions and discussion.
Let’s start a thread!
Cheers!
Eric Sedletzky
PURP
