Long Point, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
(aka The Old Marineland)

Solo Diving

In With: 3200 psi
Out With: 300 psi
Max depth: 60 feet
Waves: 1-2 feet, mellow
Visibility: 15-20 feet
Water Temperature: Cool, maybe 58 degrees Fahrenheit
Total Bottom Time: 57 minutes

I showed up at 7:55 AM; the Divevets crew was waiting at the gate for security to open it.

I geared up with my lobster bag and went off The Point.

Easy entry, slight surge, but almost as flat as a lake.

I was planning on coming in on The Point, so I went to the right and explored around the bend.

There are many old pipes and anchors and reefs and rocks full of lobsters.

I came across something at 40 feet – it was like a triangle metal anchor with a life preserver at the end of it on a rope.

I swam back and surfaced to get my bearings.

I submerged and hung around near The Point.

Having 1200 psi left, I decided to exit on the cove.

I came across a huge lobster the size of a small dog.

I tried grabbing it, but my hand got caught on a stick and, trying to dislodge the stick from my hand, accidentally ended up hitting its ass from behind.

The lobster flew out of the hole.

I tried to grab it, but it flew back into another hole.

I got down to 300 psi and surfaced half way between the point and the cove.

I had a long surface swim back.

Out with no problem.

I hung out with the usual crowd – Reverend Al, Drysuit Greg and Jake.

Old Marineland has changed quite a bit…

The round building we used as a toilet has been torn down.

The Catalina room, abandoned buildings and the shrubs have been removed from around the parking lot.

Looking out, they have flattened what was left of old Marineland.

Not much to cover our partying from the street.

Lobster hunting off the “Island Diver” boat with the Divevets Group

Secret Location: 4f 66 66 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 68 69 6c 6c 20 6f 66 20 67 72 65 65 6e 20 74 72 65 65 73 20 74 68 65 72 65 20 69 73 20 61 20 77 72 65 63 6b 20 6e 61 6d 65 64 20 22 74 68 65 20 6c 61 6e 64 69 6e 67 20 63 72 61 66 74 2e 22

So Cal Buddy diving with Roland B./night diving

In With: 2800 psi
Out With: 1300 psi
Max depth: 50 feet
Waves: Light chop
Visibility: 15 feet
Water Temperature: About 55 degrees Fahrenheit, I think.
Total Bottom Time: 35 minutes

After an hour surface interval, it was back in the water again to look for more lobsters.

I was the second overboard, Tony was the first.

I asked which direction I should go and was told, “just jump overboard,” and did just that.

I believe I went East and trolled over large hills of sand at 50 feet.

Dead kelp at the bottom fooled me for lobster… and then I came across a lobster and pinned it!

I measured it quickly and bagged it.

I kept wondering why the hell anyone would call this place what it’s called.

It’s named for a sunken landmark.

I surfaced, went back underneath the boat, and did large circles trolling for more lobsters.

I figured 30 minutes would be a safe dive.

I trolled and trolled and figured that all I could come back with is one lobster – and quite an expensive one at that.

I surfaced close to the boat, but remeasured my lobster before making my way back.

It must have shrunk in the air; it was slightly short.

I asked why this place was named for a wreck that wasn’t there.

Apparently, there is a sunken craft there, I just didn’t run across it.

Someone asked, “Who was your buddy?”

I said, “Roland.”

He said, “Well, Roland was there, so either you didn’t stay together or you saw it.”

The dives are over, now comes the debriefing!

Sitting near the Captain breaks the wind.

After the Captain threw us off the ship when it docked, the debriefing continued in the parking lot.

Another group shot, I’m to the far right looking as macho as ever.