We Want A Report From Greys Reef..........
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The Kraken
He Who Glows in the Dark Waters (ADVISOR)
ScubaBoard Supporter
Scuba Instructor
Divemaster
Mornin, Braz !!!
Okey-dokey . . .
Saturday morning started off quite nicely. Cool, not too humid. A slight overcast early in the morning that would burn off with the sunrise.
Linda and I got to the marina at about 0625 and M Bipartitus (Matthew) was already there. We loaded the gear and anxiously awaited the arrival of Yukoneer (Mat) and ScubaJW (Jackie).
Mat and Jackie rolled in just in the nick of time around 0658, so we all pitched in to help them get their gear on board.
After the perfunctory sign in and safety / proper head usage orientation from First Mate Judy (Cpt. Terry's wife) we got underway.
The ride through the salt marshes was quite relaxing and scenic. Dolphins, wood storks, cranes, herons, and other various denizens of the marsh gave us things to enjoy and observe. The waters in the marshes are quite calm and not unlike boating on a large lake.
As we left the mouth of the estuary the seas started to pick up. The seas had been predicted to be 1 to 2 feet for Saturday. As we got further off shore, the waves picked up in their frequency and height. When we were finally out of sight of land, the seas had picked up to 3 to 4 feet.
Poseidon wreaked his terrible curse upon Jackie and Linda. Linda and I have been out on dive boats before, but her experience was only in the placid waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Carib. I know not what Jackie's experiences are in this realm. In the end, both of the ladies called both dives. Needless to say, I commend them for not taking the "I've paid for this dive and I'm going to dive" route. That just always seems to add to problems. Good call, Ladies . . .
There were 4 divers; Greg, a local spear fisherman, Matthew, Mat and me.
The dive plan was to drop a buoy on the reef, the 4 of us would hit the water, pick up the buoy line, descend to the bottom and meet up. Greg was to head in one direction from the current to fish and the three of us were to head in the opposite direction.
The buoy was dropped, we dropped and descended to the buoy weight as planned. When we got to the bottom, ~ 55', the current was moving at about 1.5 knots. The drop point had not found the reef ledge.
So, not wanting to blow all of our gas trying to find the ledge underwater with no cardinal direction in which to proceed, Mat, Matthew and I agreed to get neutral and just drift along with the tumblin tumble weeds of the sea.
There was the assorted sea life to see, but nothing spectacular. Visibility was about 20 to 30 feet and the temperature at the bottom was a balmy 81 degrees F.
As per the D/M's instructions, we each made our own ascent based upon our gas and NDL.
To say that the current moved us further away from the marker buoy is somewhat of an understatement. And with the seas at 3 to 4 feet, it was difficult for the boat to spot us. That's what SMB's are made for. As for me, I think I'm going to invest in the 9' OMS buoy - the bigger the better.
Second dive went pretty much the same way, but this time the three of us dived the same profile and came up as a group. Still the current had tanken us away from the buoy by a sizeable distance.
The chores of the dives were getting geared up on the back deck of the boat as it pitched and yawed in the swells. Getting back aboard was no joy, either.
The ride back in wasn't as bad as it was going out, but it still wasn't smooth sailing.
One thing that interests me is that on the dive last year we towed an SMB, but this year the D/M had changed the program.
Next time I'll be towing an SMB the whole dive.
On a scale of 1 to 10, based upon expectations, I'd rate both dives a 3.0.
the K
Okey-dokey . . .
Saturday morning started off quite nicely. Cool, not too humid. A slight overcast early in the morning that would burn off with the sunrise.
Linda and I got to the marina at about 0625 and M Bipartitus (Matthew) was already there. We loaded the gear and anxiously awaited the arrival of Yukoneer (Mat) and ScubaJW (Jackie).
Mat and Jackie rolled in just in the nick of time around 0658, so we all pitched in to help them get their gear on board.
After the perfunctory sign in and safety / proper head usage orientation from First Mate Judy (Cpt. Terry's wife) we got underway.
The ride through the salt marshes was quite relaxing and scenic. Dolphins, wood storks, cranes, herons, and other various denizens of the marsh gave us things to enjoy and observe. The waters in the marshes are quite calm and not unlike boating on a large lake.
As we left the mouth of the estuary the seas started to pick up. The seas had been predicted to be 1 to 2 feet for Saturday. As we got further off shore, the waves picked up in their frequency and height. When we were finally out of sight of land, the seas had picked up to 3 to 4 feet.
Poseidon wreaked his terrible curse upon Jackie and Linda. Linda and I have been out on dive boats before, but her experience was only in the placid waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Carib. I know not what Jackie's experiences are in this realm. In the end, both of the ladies called both dives. Needless to say, I commend them for not taking the "I've paid for this dive and I'm going to dive" route. That just always seems to add to problems. Good call, Ladies . . .
There were 4 divers; Greg, a local spear fisherman, Matthew, Mat and me.
The dive plan was to drop a buoy on the reef, the 4 of us would hit the water, pick up the buoy line, descend to the bottom and meet up. Greg was to head in one direction from the current to fish and the three of us were to head in the opposite direction.
The buoy was dropped, we dropped and descended to the buoy weight as planned. When we got to the bottom, ~ 55', the current was moving at about 1.5 knots. The drop point had not found the reef ledge.
So, not wanting to blow all of our gas trying to find the ledge underwater with no cardinal direction in which to proceed, Mat, Matthew and I agreed to get neutral and just drift along with the tumblin tumble weeds of the sea.
There was the assorted sea life to see, but nothing spectacular. Visibility was about 20 to 30 feet and the temperature at the bottom was a balmy 81 degrees F.
As per the D/M's instructions, we each made our own ascent based upon our gas and NDL.
To say that the current moved us further away from the marker buoy is somewhat of an understatement. And with the seas at 3 to 4 feet, it was difficult for the boat to spot us. That's what SMB's are made for. As for me, I think I'm going to invest in the 9' OMS buoy - the bigger the better.
Second dive went pretty much the same way, but this time the three of us dived the same profile and came up as a group. Still the current had tanken us away from the buoy by a sizeable distance.
The chores of the dives were getting geared up on the back deck of the boat as it pitched and yawed in the swells. Getting back aboard was no joy, either.
The ride back in wasn't as bad as it was going out, but it still wasn't smooth sailing.
One thing that interests me is that on the dive last year we towed an SMB, but this year the D/M had changed the program.
Next time I'll be towing an SMB the whole dive.
On a scale of 1 to 10, based upon expectations, I'd rate both dives a 3.0.
the K
H2Andy
Contributor
just reading that makes me seasick
(seriously)
well, the "bad" ones just give you context to better appreciate the good ones
(seriously)
well, the "bad" ones just give you context to better appreciate the good ones
OP
DiverBraz
Guest
True H2Andy.
"The drop point had not found the reef ledge. So, not wanting to blow all of our gas trying to find the ledge underwater......."
Trying to figure this out in my undercooked noodle.
So you guys missed the whole reef?
All I picture is you guys floating off a sand bottom watching stuff float by?
Is it not the responsibility of the DM or the Outfit to actually put you on what you were going to see ?
Not knowing how these things go sometimes due to lack of Exp. and Not trying to be an *****, but I probably would have been somewhat pissed off.
What is an SMB and why would one be towing one of these?
I'm guessing a marker bouy when there is a lot of Current, so the boat can keep track of you?
Braz
"The drop point had not found the reef ledge. So, not wanting to blow all of our gas trying to find the ledge underwater......."
Trying to figure this out in my undercooked noodle.
So you guys missed the whole reef?
All I picture is you guys floating off a sand bottom watching stuff float by?
Is it not the responsibility of the DM or the Outfit to actually put you on what you were going to see ?
Not knowing how these things go sometimes due to lack of Exp. and Not trying to be an *****, but I probably would have been somewhat pissed off.
What is an SMB and why would one be towing one of these?
I'm guessing a marker bouy when there is a lot of Current, so the boat can keep track of you?
Braz
The Kraken
He Who Glows in the Dark Waters (ADVISOR)
ScubaBoard Supporter
Scuba Instructor
Divemaster
SMB = surface marker buoy (sausage)
During a drift dive the divers usually have a sausage at the surface and the dive boat follows it as the divers drift.
I have no clue as to why they changed their protocol this year.
Yep, it was a bummer not getting on the ledges. There are some parts of the reef structure that are more marked than others - this is the ledge area.
I have no idea how the Cpt. missed it. We were following GPS co-ordinates.
Anyway . . . we all surfaced safely.
the K
During a drift dive the divers usually have a sausage at the surface and the dive boat follows it as the divers drift.
I have no clue as to why they changed their protocol this year.
Yep, it was a bummer not getting on the ledges. There are some parts of the reef structure that are more marked than others - this is the ledge area.
I have no idea how the Cpt. missed it. We were following GPS co-ordinates.
Anyway . . . we all surfaced safely.
the K
First of all, I wanted to apologize that Matt (Yukoneer) and I did not arrive well before 7am, there was a terrible car accident on I-95 just past Darien that backed up traffic.
During the boat ride, I was enjoying sightseeing the seaway until we arrived at Gray's Reef. That is when I got real sick! I was like, oh man, I have been dreaming to dive in Gray's Reef and I blew it! But at the same time, I know it is safe to say I have to call both dives. I have been lying down in the cabin for hours until the boat starts to move back to the shore, I got up quick and starting to feel better. I couldn't tolerate the boat when it stopped moving.
When we arrived at the dock, Matt and I immediately left as we were supposed to meet my parents at 6pm for BBQ dinner - which is about 40 minutes south of Midway (Halfmoon Marina). After that, Matt and I went to my house. I was desperate to to dive so I decided to dive at the lake behind my parent's house (about 16 feet deep, nothing spectacular). Matt went skin diving while I was diving. It was neat to see him pop down and up.
Matt explained how the dives were not that spectacular and I am really sorry that you guys didn't get to explore the good areas of the reef - - but at least, you get some dives in!
There is a saying, "It's better to have a bad dive than a good day at work!" 
During the boat ride, I was enjoying sightseeing the seaway until we arrived at Gray's Reef. That is when I got real sick! I was like, oh man, I have been dreaming to dive in Gray's Reef and I blew it! But at the same time, I know it is safe to say I have to call both dives. I have been lying down in the cabin for hours until the boat starts to move back to the shore, I got up quick and starting to feel better. I couldn't tolerate the boat when it stopped moving.
When we arrived at the dock, Matt and I immediately left as we were supposed to meet my parents at 6pm for BBQ dinner - which is about 40 minutes south of Midway (Halfmoon Marina). After that, Matt and I went to my house. I was desperate to to dive so I decided to dive at the lake behind my parent's house (about 16 feet deep, nothing spectacular). Matt went skin diving while I was diving. It was neat to see him pop down and up.
Matt explained how the dives were not that spectacular and I am really sorry that you guys didn't get to explore the good areas of the reef - - but at least, you get some dives in!
There is a saying, "It's better to have a bad dive than a good day at work!" 
kylepreid
Guest
Sorry to hear the dive wasn't that great. I would have loved to have gone, but it sounds like I saved myself a good bit of money. Glad to hear you guys and gals returned safe though. Maybe it will be better next time.
Kyle
Kyle
diveprof
Contributor
Next time try the Sagebrush and J reef. Surely the capt. has those coordinates???? The Sagebrush is a nice wreck (Coast guard bouy tender) and J reef nearby at 65' offer a nice ledge with marine life. My last dive on the Sagebrush had 100sof AtlantciSpake so thick above it you couldn't see the ship. Cobia swimming around below. On J reef Turtles and a 9' nurse shark.
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