After about a 20 minute boat ride, we anchored at our next destination… “Lula.”

According to Captain Mike, the Cee Ray is the only dive boat that anchors here.

I was pointed in the direction of a nice reef, “North-West of the boat” and then “just follow the reef North.”

Logged SCUBA Dive #411

Solo Diving

“Lula,” Catalina, CA

In With: 2900 psi
Out With: 600 psi
Max depth: 64 feet
Waves: Slight chop
Visibility: Up to 20 feet, but more like 15 feet
Water Temperature: 65 degrees, colder at depth
Air Temperature: 84 degrees
Total Bottom Time: 45 minutes or so

I submerged and went North-West.

I entered the “Land of the Giant Kelp.”

I know that water magnifies things by 25%, but this kelp was the largest I’ve ever seen – strands as wide as a sheet of dry wall and bulbs as big as my fist.

However, I came to the realization, that I had missed the reef completely.

I swam back in the direction of the boat, missing it completely, and running into a very shallow, but colorful reef, and a couple other divers.

After surfacing to get my bearings, I made a short underwater swim back to the Cee Ray.

I was invited to check out the Cee Ray by Captain Mike and Mikey, the Cook – friends of a common friend.

I was told, “If you’re a regular diver, come and check out our boat for free as our guest, but don’t be afraid to tip accordingly.”

How could I refuse an offer like that?

The boat was chartered by Sports Chalet, the company that I’ve written a lot of shit about – like refusing to fill my Luxfer Aluminum tanks from 1980.

It was explained to me, as I was signing in with their Divemasters, that “They know you’re our guest, they won’t bother you and you won’t bother them…”

That’s cool, but I begged them, “Please, at least, make sure that I’m back on the boat before you pull anchor…”

The two Sports Chalet Divemasters were cool, I believe their names were Tim and Frank.

One looked like Darrell Sheets from the TV show Storage Wars; the other looked like Sheriff Frank Hammer from the movie Bonnie and Clyde.

I was given a bunk and a number; I slept, or tried to sleep, most of the way there.

There were some pretty good looking chicks on the boat; I was lucky to catch a nipple slip when one of them was getting into her wet suit.

We stopped at one place where I thought we would anchor, but then the boat pulled away and sped off to drop anchor elsewhere…

I was the first off the boat.

Logged SCUBA Dive #410

Solo Diving

Scotsman’s Reef, Catalina, CA

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 600 psi
Max depth: 58 feet
Waves: Slight chop
Visibility: Up to 30 feet
Water Temperature: 65 degrees, colder at depth
Air Temperature: 80 degrees
Total Bottom Time: 45 minutes or so

I jumped off the side, and gave the “I’m OK sign.”

I followed the reef down to 58 feet, were the sand started.

It was clear, but visibility varied.

I spotted a Giant Sea slug.

I made it back with no issues, after having found a diving pouch someone dropped.