On Saturday, July 12, 2008, I dove with Jennifer (divemaster) from Ocean Concepts. We did two dives, the Mahi, a 95 foot deep dive on a ship that was intentionally sunk as an artificial reef and Makaha Caverns, a 50 foot deep dive on a shallow coral reef with lava tubes and swim throughs.
Lauri went along on the boat just for the ride and to get some photos of me. It was great to have her there. The Captain had a really tough time maneuvering the boat at the mooring lines and we ended up on the line amidships. I dove with Jennifer, the divemaster for our group. There were two of us with cameras. There were 14 divers and two "guides", so they paired up all the divers and the two guides each took a group.
Our group was the first in this time, and I was the first in the water. Headed down the mooring line to the wreck. We swam around the wreck near the bottom and then started up over the deck. Since I was in the lead with Jennifer, I got some really good photo opportunities. I got a couple of good shots of a Yellowmargined Moray Eel, three different Leaf Scorpionfish (one was a surprise in another photo), soft Snowflake Coral, and the flag on the mast as I ascended.
I was much more conscious of my air usage and breathing and went through the tank of air at a much slower pace again. There were only four divers left when I had to leave and ascend.
Headed back up the line at the end of the dive and did a safety stop. As soon as I grabbed the mooring line, I was "attacked" by a school of Milletseed Butterflyfish. They pecked my hands, my arms, and my legs. It was pretty funny. I got a couple of photos of them.
After lunch, we got ready for the second dive. I giant strided in and dropped down to the bottom. When the group was all assembled, Jenn led the group on a "tour" of the caverns. Right where we assembled was a Yellowmargined Moray Eel in a little depression. Swam past a Crown-of-Thorns Sea Star in the first little lava tube. Went through several swim throughs and little slot valleys. Took lots of photos. Saw several Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, but no sharks.
Right near the end of the tour, Jenn spotted a Hawaiian Lionfish under a piece of coral. I got several really good photos after everyone took a peek at it. We all split up into buddy groups. Jenn and I and Jessica found a little hole, and Jenn spotted something inside. It turned out to be a Day Octopus and three tiny juvenile Hawaiian Lionfish. I got a pretty good photo that includes the Octopus and two of the Lionfish.
On both dives today, I did a better job of air-management. Ascended without a safety stop again since I was still just a little underweighted even with 17 pounds, but was better. I think 18 pounds may be the ticket until I lose some weight. This was the first time diving with my new regulator it works great! Now I just need a BCD.
3 years ago
