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.