After a spectacular lunch of chicken and broccoli, rice and Italian bread, the next dive spot was undetermined.

I went to the top deck of the boat and fell asleep.

The boat never started, but I was awakened by people jumping off the side.

I climbed down on to the main deck and asked one of the deck hands, “I guess this is our next spot, too?”

“Yep.”

I geared up and went over.

Logged SCUBA Dive #412

Solo Diving

“Lula” , Catalina, CA

In With: 2900 psi
Out With: 600 psi
Max depth: 72 feet
Waves: Pretty flat
Visibility: Up to 20 feet, but more like 15 feet
Water Temperature: 65 degrees, colder at depth
Air Temperature: 84 degrees
Total Bottom Time: 40 minutes or so

I went a little more North than before, and ran into the reef that I was suppose to last time.

I came across an anchor that was wedged between two rocks.

Ha! Ha! Money!

There was a chain attached to it, so I decided to see how much of a chain – I followed it, and followed it and the chain went right up to the Cee Ray.

I surfaced and told Jensen, one of the deck hands, “You know that the anchor is wedged between two rocks?”

“Yeah, we’ll get it out, we anchor here all the time.”

I continued my dive, sticking shallower.

I lost my way back to the boat, but as I was surfacing, I saw divers on the surface – more than a couple.

I assumed it was students making their way back to the boat, so I stalked them at depth, making my way back to underneath the swim step, where I waited my turn – hoping to loot any gear that may be dropped in the water upon boarding.

I wasn’t fortunate enough to get any more gear, but did make it back with no issues.

Review of the Cee Ray:

I really like the way the boat is run.

They don’t rush the gate, the boat goes some places that no other boats go to, and the food is really good – breakfast, several snacks and a gourmet lunch.

The Cee Ray’s swim step was a little awkward for me; I am used to just taking my fins off and either walking to shore or climbing up a ladder.

Their swim step rests about a foot or two underwater; so, you sort of have to flail onto the step and then climb up the ladder.

However, it’s good for students who aren’t used to the weight of SCUBA gear.

After a great day of diving, the galley sells Pacifico and New Castle – no Budweiser!

I am partially responsible for drinking their beer supply dry.

Also, I have to say, even though I don’t agree with a lot of Sports Chalet’s business practices, their Divemasters and Instructors have great personalities and are very professional.

Captain Mike runs a great dive boat – I hope to be back soon.

Speaking of coming soon…

Coming Soon!

A great video of today’s dives, plus Rescue at Sea!

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.