The Palawan Wreck, Off Of Redondo Beach, CA
Diving off the Island Diver

Solo Diving

In With: 2700 psi
Out With: 1000 psi
Max depth: 130 feet
Waves: Minor chop
Visibility: 20 feet or more
Water Temperature: Cold
Total Bottom Time: 12 minutes at the wreck, 12 minutes coming up; about 24 minutes total.

We were 20 minutes late leaving the dock.

Dan was waiting, hoping that Josh wouldn’t show up, so he could take his place.

Dan seemed a little pissed when he finally made it.

My wetsuit ripped at the seams in the back; I really need to start thinking about acquiring newer equipment.

Two tech divers went over and were going to run a line to the boat.

Captain Alec said that, if we wanted, we could just go down the anchor line and find the boat because, “we are pretty close to the wreck.”

I jumped over and swam to the anchor line and followed it down; I touched bottom at 130 feet.

I swam in the direction of where the boat was suppose to be and then the port side came in to view, about 20 feet from the anchor line.

It is covered with strawberry anemones; the top deck has been removed, so you can view the interior of the hull without actually doing a penetration dive.

I was getting really narced, really fast.

It’s like feeling the effect of drinking 10 beers all at once, so I really enjoyed the feeling, but I had to keep my composure because the only one who could help me was me.

I started to feel better once I got used to the pressure.

However, this deep I didn’t have much bottom time without going in to decompression.

I swam back towards the anchor line, but couldn’t find it; I started my accent slowly.

Not having a reference point to check the current makes me nervous; but I knew there was not much current, so I took my time.

The water coming up felt warmer and warmer and I felt better and better.

Breaking the top, I had to surface swim about 60 yards to the boat.

There was a debate when most of the non-decompression divers were on board as to where the next dive should be.

According to my tables, I had seven minutes of bottom time for a second dive at the Palawan; if we chose the Avalon Wreck, I would have 44 minutes.

We all agreed on the Avalon.

The tech divers were done, so they didn’t care.

Shanon was nice enough to take a marker and outline the increasing hole in the back of my wetsuit.

Wreck Diving The Yukon
Off the Lois Anne Boat
San Diego, CA

Dove with fellow DM student Ron T; Instructor John followed.

In With: 3100 psi
Out With: 1600 psi
Max depth: 91 feet
Waves: Insignificant
Visibility: 5-10 feet, up to 20 feet at the ship
Water Temperature: 56 degrees Fahrenheit
Total Bottom Time: 21 minutes, including a two minute safety stop

The Lois Ann

This trip is part of my Divemaster course.

We were to dive, but also observe and interview the Divemaster on this trip; after seeing the DM, I was so glad I had the assignment!

I was the first one off the boat, Ron followed and then John.

We swam to the mooring line and submerged.

Vis sucked near the surface; it was very silty.

Then at 70 feet, part of the wreck appeared.

It should have brought a light, because it was pretty dark.

The wreck is big and disorienting.

It sits on its side, so if you are even with the deck and think you’re level, you’ll find it strange that your exhaled bubbles ascend out the side.

I was getting REALLY narced, especially at first – I was diving with air, Ron and John with Nitrox.

I started feeling better as the dive progressed.

We scanned the bridge, the deck, and the portholes on the side of the wreck.

It was sort of eerie – just a big ship with sea life all over it; sort of like watching a Jacques Cousteau movie in 3D.

We did not penetrate the wreck.

The Yukon is covered with white plumed anemones.

I was sucking up air faster than I remembered I had ever done.

I was following Ron, who had a dive computer, and was following his profile.

Ron motioned that we should head back.

Ron looks way too happy to be this deep.

Ron found the mooring line and we started our ascent.

At 15 feet, we did our safety stop for a couple of minutes.

Ron makes his safety stop…

…and so does John.

I thought Ron was cutting the dive short, but I followed the guy with the computer.

Looking at my tables, it was not a matter of air, but time without going into decompression diving – something that I’m not qualified to do.

We broke surface with no problem; I looked over at the smokin’ hot Divemaster, gave my “OK” sign and remarked loudly, “The view is much better up here.”

She laughed.