September 22, 2019*

It’s been a hell of a month, and I know this post has been sort of delayed, but at least I have something for October.

We made our way to our final dive for this weekend.

After careful consideration, Captain Dave anchored at a place he called “KO quarry” – or “Keep Out Quarry.”

Again, I believe I was the first one off the boat.

Logged SCUBA Dive #518

Solo Diving, SoCal Buddy Diving

Keep Out Quarry, Catalina Island, CA

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 700 psi
Max depth: 86 feet
Waves: Pretty calm with light chop
Visibility: 15-30 feet depending on where you were.
Water Temperature: 63 degrees, 56 at depth
Air Temperature: 79 degrees
Total Bottom Time: 42 minutes

Again, there was a noticeable thermocline going from 50 to 60 feet.

After 40 minutes or so, I made my way back to the boat, eager to have my first sip of the King of Beers, Budweiser.

I was talking to Nick about diving all over the world.

Nick said, “Southern California diving is unlike any diving in the world.

Anywhere else in the world, everyone hops off the boat in a group and you follow a dive master around.

Here, you just jump off a boat and you’re on your own; that’s what makes California divers so skilled.

You can go anywhere in the world, and when they find out that you’re an experienced California diver, they relax because they know you won’t be a problem.”

I went to the galley and realized, I was the only one drinking Budweiser, The King of Beers.

I grabbed one, cracked it open, and announced to my fellow divers that there was plenty of Budweiser for everyone to enjoy.

My offer was declined with slight hostility, not for the offer of the beer, but that fact that my beer was hogging all the space in the refrigerator.

Nick continued, “Also, most dive boats will set up your gear and do everything for you, except the dive.”

The Pacific Star is a great diving boat with an absolute amazing crew; the food is spectacular.

The Pacific Star is a top notch local dive boat – I will be back again.

Does anyone still read this blog?

*Due to lack of internet access, and too much to do to write while it is happening, there has been a delay in these posts. Pretend you are in 1990.

July 12, 2014

Back on the boat from my first dive, I took off my BCD and sat down.

I started to get a little sick – like dizzy – and it felt like my dry suit was constricting.

Then I figured out, yes, my dry suit is constricting because the release valve is open and I was getting dizzy because the boat was tossing up and down in the swells.

I unzipped my dry suit and stared at the horizon while repeating the mantra, “I am macho, to puke is to be non-macho.”

I felt better after a while.

Captain Jeff of the Pacific Swann provided chicken noodle soup and Mike C. provided smoked salmon to eat while we did our surface interval.

The boat motored over and moored onto the marker for the Ruby E.

After 45 minutes, divers were heading back into the water – Donna and I were the first two over.

I felt cold water leaking into my dry suit.

I gave my zipper a quick jerk to seal it and that stopped the leak.

We swam to the bow line and descended.

Logged SCUBA Dive #470

Dove with Donna The Hot Biker Chick

The Ruby E Wreck
San Diego, CA USA

In With: 3100 psi
Out With: 600 psi
Max depth: 83 feet
Waves: Choppy on the surface
Visibility: 10 to 15 feet
Water Temperature: 54 degrees
Air Temperature: 78 degrees
Total Bottom Time: 32 minutes

Donna going down.

I haven’t dove the Ruby E. for probably seven or eight years – a lot has changed.

There are no solid walls above the deck and it looks like the hull has partially collapsed.

Donna and I ventured inside…

Fish under the stern of the Ruby E.

The Ruby E – 1934 – 1989

Apparently, the Ruby E was originally a smuggler’s boat until being turned into a Coast Guard vessel.

Off Gassing over the Ruby E.

In a way, I like diving this wreck better than the Yukon because it’s much smaller and less intimidating.

Me and my diving buddy, Donna The Hot Biker Chick.

The Pacific Swann is a comfortable six-pack diving boat run by Captain Jeff.

Soup, snacks, water, weights and completely filled tanks were available for the excursion – he did the best to make our trip as enjoyable as possible, and he succeeded.

However, unless you enjoy diesel exhaust, don’t sit at the rear of the boat while the engines are on – a feature that heavy smokers should appreciate.

Apparently, Captain Jeff has a real job during the week and the Pacific Swann is his “weekend warrior” project.

Bob and I went directly back home after the boat docked; his excellent driving ability to weave in and out of slow moving traffic got us back within two hours.