The Palawan Wreck, Off of The Island Diver Boat
Redondo Beach, CA

Dove with “Scott” following Juan Twenty and “Chris” from the Divevets

In With: 2900 psi
Out With: 600 psi
Max depth: 110 feet
Waves: Mild Chop
Visibility: 20-30 feet with a crud layer on the way down
Water Temperature: 55 degrees
Total Bottom Time: 15 minutes at the wreck, 10 minutes ascending from the wreck

The Island Diver, King Harbor (Photo By Juan Twenty)

A group shot before weighing anchor. (Photo By Juan Twenty)

After begging Juan Twenty for a spot on their next Palawan trip, and after being told there was a two year waiting list, a newly chartered trip had a spot for me.

After a 15-minute ride to the spot, we witnessed several rowing boats passing by filled with hot, young chicks.

Captain Alec found the wreck, Juan Twenty buddied me up with “Scott.”

We were to follow Juan and Chris.

(Photo By Juan Twenty)

We jumped over board and followed a line down to the wreck.

(Photo By Juan Twenty)

We passed through a crud layer that didn’t promise too much visibility, but it cleared right above the wreck and gave us a great view from port to starboard.

The Palawan was a World War II supply ship that only saw a year or so of service before being mothballed up North for 40 years or so.

In the 70’s, they stripped the Palawan of the engines, tore off the decks and then sunk it as an artificial reef.

Our group took a “Divevets” group photo and trolled around for the short amount of bottom time we had under no-decompression rules.

Everyone is impressed that my ancient equipment still works.
(Photo By Juan Twenty)

I followed the group up slowly, following Scott’s dive profile on his computer – cheaper than buying one of my own, I guess.

Captain Alec is well prepared to battle pirates and mutineers.

We did an hour and a half surface interval.

North of Margate, Palos Verdes Estates, CA

Dove off of John’s Zodiac

Southern California Buddy Diving With John and Ron T.

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 1200 psi
Max depth: 50 feet
Waves: Choppy
Visibility: 15 feet
Water Temperature: Cold at the bottom
Bottom Time: About 35 minutes

We boated just North of Margate; maybe a five minute journey around the kelp and anchored.

I threw my BC overboard, jumped in and tried putting my jacket on.

I kept getting tangled.

After a few tries, I was ready to submerge.

I had a hard time equalizing this dive and the last dive.

It must have taken me five minutes to get down to 40 feet.

I toured around looking at some very interesting reefs; they look like stairs or ruins from an ancient city that’s now underwater.

I saw and chased after a huge White Sea bass – four feet long at least.

John later said that he saw four or five of them circling around.

I was getting cold, so I made it back to the boat and in.

Five minutes later, John followed.

Shortly after that, Ron surfaced with an Uni (sea urchin) and a scallop which he kindly shared with me.

Sushi, St. Pauli’s Girl and a bumpy ride back to the harbor topped this trip.