Emerald Bay at Indian Rocks, Catalina, CA
Diving off the Bottom Scratcher Boat

Dove with Tim and Reyna, who I know from Long Point

In With: 3100 psi
Out With: 500 psi
Max depth: 80 feet
Waves: Insignificant
Visibility: 30 feet
Water Temperature: Cold – someone said it was 54 degrees
Total Bottom Time: 45 minutes

Nick hurt his ankle, so I took his spot.

I had credit and reservations for the same boat and destination for February.

We left Long Beach at 6:45 AM.

I had number 13 again, as I requested.

I think the same people from the last two trip attempts were on this boat.

It was the same crew from the last time, Captain Greg, Bobby the Deck Hand and…

…Debbie the cook!

The dive master in his orientation said, “Everyone needs a buddy, no exceptions.”

I didn’t want to risk being banned from diving after the first dive, so I asked to be “buddied up” with someone.

The Dive Master asked a few of the members from, I guess, their dive club.

Everyone declined, so he went over and started talking to an Instructor that was teaching a class.

I thought, screw this, I’m not diving with an Open Water class so I begged Tim and Reyna to follow them.

Tim seemed a little concerned about my diving skill level.

“How deep can you go?”

I said, “130 feet.”

Anyway, they were both very nice and I told them I was just out to follow them.

Once off the boat, we submerged and headed away from the shore.

The environment resembled a lightly decorated White Point.

We went down to 80 feet.

Tim and I were both hunting lobsters; Reyna was behind us collecting Sea Shells.

Apparently, this is routine for them.

We started heading for the rocks; it got progressively shallower as we went towards them.

The environment changed to resemble what I envisioned Catalina should look like.

I spotted a few lobsters, none of them legal size.

Tim and Reyna were in dry suits and had 1600 psi when I got down to 500 psi.

I broke off and went back to the boat.

I had to swim back over the kelp as “Bubba” the chase boat wasn’t feeling too well.

Arch Point
Santa Barbara Island, CA off of the Sundiver Boat

Dove with Nick

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 900 psi
Max depth: 50 feet
Waves: 3-4 towards shore, strong current and surges
Visibility: 30 feet
Water Temperature: Cool to cold
Total Bottom Time: 45 minutes

The Captain said there’s lobsters in the rocks.

I traded my camera for my lobster bag, but realized that once I jumped over that I forgot my lobster gauge.

Realizing that I haven’t even seen a lobster on this trip, I didn’t sweat it.

I almost got swept into a crevice by a strong surge.

Nick and I followed toward the arch; I reached as deep as 50 feet.

It’s pretty barren here, sea urchins and small fish – well, I saw a big Sheephead here.

Coming back to the boat we encountered a strong current.

We swam down over a ledge where the current was weaker.

Around the boat, Nick aggressively dug out a lobster that was wedged in the rocks, ripping off both of its antennas.

After measuring it, it was indeed short, so we set it free.

We were supposed to do a fourth dive; I’m glad we didn’t.

I had completely lost track of where I am on the dive tables.

Boat Review Of The Sundiver:

The Sundiver is an OK boat, but there’s three things that I didn’t like:

1. They strap your gear bag to a ledge that dangles over the side.

2. They had double bunks. SO if you’re alone, you may be sleeping with some dude.

3. They charge for everything! $4 air fills, $1 coffees, etc.

4. It is note worthy to realize that you can stumble onto the deck and be a drunken dick the night before a dive and, probably won’t be thrown overboard.

After a five hour boat ride back, we all safely arrived back at port.

A great weekend of diving!