The Palawan Wreck, Redondo Beach, CA

Solo Diving

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 700 psi
Max depth: 120 feet
Waves: Sort of choppy
Visibility: 40 feet plus, but sort of dark
Water Temperature: 62 degrees on the surface, 53 at depth
Total Bottom Time: About 22 minutes
Notable Event: This is my 300th dive and I am still alive.

There were two cancellations from a deep diving class on the Island Diver; I took one of the vacancies.

It was the typical stag boat except for a newer member of Divevets – “Hollywood” a blonde hot chick.

After a short ride to the wreck, I realized that the entire boat, except for me, was part of the class.

I made sure my spare air was filled, and was the first one overboard.

I went down the anchor line; the anchor rested in 130 feet of water with the Palawan in sight.

I didn’t realize at first how good the vis was; the Palawan is 44 feet across and I could see from one side to the other.

Even though I put in one of those moisture absorbing packets in my camera case (aka “Do Not Eats”), I still had a slight problem with condensation forming on the lens.

I did a tour around the ship and descended into the hull; the top deck is off, so this was not a penetration dive.

This is what I look like, sort of narced, at 120 feet; sort of too dark, I know.

After 15 minutes at the wreck, I easily found the anchor line and started the journey back up; stopping at 50 feet for two minutes, then four minutes at 15 feet.

During my safety stop, I saw a tank, without a diver pass by.

I thought, “I’ve found fins and knives before, but I really scored today!”

As it turns out, it was safety and training equipment being lowered for the class; their dive was just starting.

I hung out with Captain Dick…

… and observed what I could of the class.

I figured I would be the first to out-gas for the second dive and the first one finished for the day; if all worked out, I could drink most of the beer before the class finished their second dive.

Veterans Park, Redondo Beach, CA

Solo Diving

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 1200 psi
Max depth: 78 feet
Waves: Minor chop and surge at the shoreline
Visibility: 10 to 15 feet over the shelf, worse towards shore
Water Temperature: 68 degrees until over the shelf, then it dipped to 58 degrees
Total Bottom Time: About 35 minutes

Being invited to a party Sunday, late in the day, I decided to get my dive fill in on Saturday.

My brother met me to video tape a scene for a commercial contest he is entering; details remain a secret.

I made an uneventful entry through the surf and submerged in 10 feet of water.

I swam North, hoping to find a reportedly lost spear pole, before swimming West and over the shelf; the temperature dropped significantly.

I tried to locate the “monument” but I think it must be covered with sand; I could not locate it and the scenery looked “different” than I remember.

The John Holmes of the star fish community.

The extremely slow decay of a dead plasticus bagus.

Another cinder block!

An man eating attack crab prepares to pounce!

I thought that if I just swim by and mind my own business, he would leave me alone, but the crab leaped up and tried to pinch off my air supply.

Using my advanced Jiu Jitsu and cage fighting skills, I put the crab in an arm bar and ripped his arm off; he retreated.

The aftermath of the crab attack.

A spectator fish takes cover in a nearby shell.

I made my way back up the shelf and did a slow swim in.

The surf pounded a bit upon my exit, but I made it out with no problems.

A lot of SCUBA students were at Redondo Beach today.

Luckily, my brother didn’t drink all my beer while I was underwater.