I have been popping Sudafed like candy for the last two weeks – so much so, that the Pharmacist probably thinks I’m manufacturing speed.

However, my self medication cleared my head enough to where I could make this dive.

Finally, a local place that I haven’t dove before!

I was invited to go aboard The Island Diver to dive the Star Of Scotland wreck – built in 1918 for World War I, the ship eventually was anchored off the coast in the 1920s, in international waters, and provided alcohol, gambling and prostitution services to customers who were ferried to the ship.

After prohibition ended, the ship was turned into a fishing barge.

There’s speculation that the ship was in disrepair, and the many small boats that hit the sides over the years, weakened the integrity of the hull.

In 1942, a heavy storm hit, and The Star of Scotland took on more water than it could pump out.

A distress call was made to the Coast Guard – when they arrived, the ship suddenly sank within 30 seconds.

Three crew members were rescued, one died – apparently, those were the only ones on board.

From Redondo Beach, the trip to Santa Monica waters only took 55 minutes in the mighty Island Diver.

Logged SCUBA Dive #396

Sort Of Dove with Joe R., John J. and Jennifer G.
The Star of Scotland, Santa Monica, CA

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 500 psi
Max depth: 80 feet
Waves: Flat with some chop
Visibility: 15 feet
Water Temperature: 57 degrees
Air Temperature: 67 degrees
Total Bottom Time: 25 minutes

I made an easy descent down the anchor line.

I was to follow Joe R. and his group – I knew nothing about the wreck, so I was not intending on getting separated.

However, I brought my new underwater camera, and as I was trying to make some adjustments, we got separated.

The wreck is crumbling and in two parts – the bow lies on it’s side, about 20 feet from the rest of the ship.

There are places to penetrate, but it is not recommended.

Visibility was 15 feet – the best one can expect here.

The entire ship in encrusted with sea life, and one huge ass lobster hiding out of reach in the hull.

After cruising around the wreck for 18 minutes, I found the anchor line and slowly started up to the surface.

Video and photos and a write up of the second dive to come soon.

The Redondo Beach City council is determined to make city parks nothing more than glorified public lawns with their new “Fun and safety rules.”

No barbecues, no shade tents, no dogs, no skateboarding, no smoking, etc., etc.

No barbecues in a park?

What fascist city council ass wipe came up with that one?

The world is now so perfect, that politicians are going after barbecuing, trying to condition us to the tyranny of a totalitarian state.

The Divevets tried to get a permit, but the request was denied.

The ironic thing is, there were two shade tents up for an event called “Boarding for Breast Cancer” and the parking lot was full of skateboarders, who were – yes – skateboarding around the parking lot, dodging cars.

Someone must have gotten their palm greased somewhere in the city.

Anyway, the diving event:

Conditions were spectacular!

The barren seascape of Veterans Park was visible up to 30 feet!

It’s been years since conditions were this good.

Logged SCUBA Dive #393

Solo Diving
Veterans Park, Redondo Beach, CA

In With: 2800 psi
Out With: 1200 psi
Max depth: 84 feet
Waves: Flat
Visibility: 20 to 30 feet – no joke!
Water Temperature: 53 degrees
Air Temperature: 72 degrees
Total Bottom Time: About 35 minutes

I had a small pumpkin and carved it in 25 feet of water – I did a quick carve job of a pirate, using the store’s label as the eye patch.

This “Pumpkin Carving Contest” is so rigged, I figured I will just enter a token pumpkin and stay for the beer and dive company.

I continued on, down the shelf.

The visibility was the best I’ve seen in a long time; I wish there was just more to see other than blocks, sand, crabs and other divers.

Still no camera yet – so there’s no pictures.

The pictures that you see on this post are actually from a cheap disposable Kodak film camera – how 20th Century.

The “Ass Grab” Pumpkin.

Underwater Carved Pumpkins.

The winners line up!

The Whole group.

Dan was not their to interfere with the Judging, which meant that ECO Dive Center kicked the Divevets asses.

As always, Professional Debriefer Paul has captured the moment:

To View this video on YouTube, click here.