2009b Reports

	Location	Visibility	Temp	Comments
	Moping around at 6:45am
August 1	Schurz Spar	60--40 50--20	80/75 79/74	A rather interesting day! We delayed departure (unwittingly inviting a swoop down cookie snatch from Bud!) while the weather cleared somewhat, but then before reaching the inlet... the Coast Guard requested we let them perform a 'Safety Check!" (and who could turn down that invitation?) After another 1/2 hour, we were off to the deep.
	Leave it to Bruce to have the Coasties pose for a photo before casting off... they found no safety concerns and we thanked them for stopping by!

August 3	Schurz Spar	50-60' 30-40'	79-75	A little rainy today, some wave action and a slight current, - all in all a great day to go diving!
August 4	Naeco Stern Schurz	60' 50'	80/75	One of those days where the top half is murky, then the vis clears up on the bottom. (We'll take that any day!)
August 5	Spar	40-50'	80/77	The Spar is such a crowd-pleaser these days, let's do it again!
August 6	Hutton	50--30'	79/70	Conditions in-shore were too good to pass up today. A bit cool on the bottom, but decent vis and -wow- great bottom time!
				The "Hutton Turtle", "Wave Action," and "Fishing back to the dock!"
August 7	Papoose Aeolus	20-25' 30'	79/77	The vis is stirred up on the Papoose, seems that an upwelling is coming around again. The Aeolus was relatively clear compared to the Papoose.
August 8	Lobster Wrk Ledge	15-20' 20-30'	79/68 79/73	Oh No! It IS an upwelling! Rumors that it was cold and murky down SouthWest were correct. A distinct layer of thick murk was mid-water, and on the bottom were those particles we call 'rusticles'. Layers of varied vis kept the descent very suspenseful. But despite all of that, the Lobster wreck was a good dive! We even saw a sea-snake slithering around on the engine, out in the open.	And the Spearfishers could still see far enough to bring home dinner...
August 9	Box Wreck Duhamel	30 5-7'	80/73 74	A significant current on the Box Wreck combined with lower vis made it a more challenging dive. We took a chance that the Duhamel might be decent, but it wasn't quite what we would have wanted. But the advantage on the Duhamel... it's small and shallow and hard to get lost!
August 10	Schurz Spar	35 50	80/76	A conundrum- less vis on the wrecks further offshore! The Spar was much more clear than the Schurz. Go figure!
				"The photographer" in action... and views of the MExp crew at work!
August 11	Hutton Indra	40'	80/77	We heard that the vis on the Schurz was only 5' today, so... if the vis is better and the bottom time is longer... dive in-shore! But do be sure to dodge the jellyfish. Those 3-5' tentacles can really sneak up on you.

August 12	Spar	50'	80/76	Such a crowd-pleaser! The vis is great out to the Spar, but beyond that, it's significantly less. Those sharks know how to pose for photos!
August 13	Papoose Aeolus	80--15' 35	80/76 80/75	The day started out slick-glass calm when we left the dock.
				Still not much better vis offshore yet. When getting ready to leave the Aeolus, a front was approaching- as it passed the clouds were rather impressive. So that's what the back of a front looks like. It was truly mesmerizing. Not much wind in it, but it looks very intimidating.
				Now we know... when it's eerily calm in the morning... remain aware.
August 14	Suloide Titan	35-40 15-20'	79/73	Again some intimidating clouds approached, and again not much wind in them. In-shore is still full of those long-tentacled jellyfish!

August 15	Ledges	60--25'	80/71	The Charlotte boys are back, and they want more lobster! Lower vis on the bottom doesn't slow them down, and these particular ledges are rather easy to navigate. Dinner at Island Grill- don't miss it!
August 16	Ledges	40--15'	82/70	We tried some newer areas, and the guys haven't lost their touch!
August 17	Indra	40'	79/73
				This might have been the slickest, glassiest day of the year so far. Fantastic conditions in so many ways... looking off the edge of the boat, you could see the wreck and divers on the bottom. A big stingray with an entourage of cobia was cruising around and around...
				Photo by Cindy Burnham

"Bill" is cruising up the eastern seaboard...large swell and deep surge has made the visibility not worthy of diving.
Pics from the pier at the Sheraton on Friday night, August 22, when Bill was approaching. Here's a video clip showing the swell touching and splashing though the pier. MOV07285--.MPG

August 26	Sub Hardees	50'	82/82	WOW! Thanks, Bill! Vis has recovered quickly offshore, and the water is WARM from top to bottom. A noticable current, but that's OK!!

"Danny" is cruising up the eastern seaboard... how strange- 2 storms, same track! We got more rain from this one.

Aug 29	Aeolus/Spar	0-1'	?	Reports have it that the morning of/after Danny passes by, there's no vis.

September 2009

	Location	Visibility	Temp	Comments
Sept 5	Papoose	60'	82/80	Beautiful conditions on the Papoose, 82 degrees, 80 on the bottom. 60' vis on the wreck, but looking into the engine room was a treat~ the vis inside was crystal clear! A northeast breeze made the ride home a bit less comfortable but we took it slow until getting closer to shore. No current to speak of, with a few sharks, plenty of baitfish and lots of lionfish.
Sept 6	Papoose	20'	78	Turtle: in the center of the first photo above
				That weather system which popped up offshore of NC has generated a sporting amount of wind! We elected to visit the Hutton today, the water was warm, still, 78 from top to bottom. Visibility was less than we wanted, but good nonetheless. 20' on the wreck, much better near the surface. On the 2nd dive there was a bit of surge noticed on the bottom. The "Hutton Turtle" is still there, it was seen both on the bottom, and at the surface near the boat! There are new video clips from today, posted under the Videos tab. With the air temp of 77+wind chill, the near 80deg water seemed downright warm! Today was our first taste of fall weather- a marked change from the 90+humidity we've had since June!

Sept 7	4C	A "non-tropical" system has moved in and sat down on us- wind & rain all day long

Sept 11	pre-dive report	Today a few other boats went out and the conditions were favorable. Some swell in the morning, but diminishing all day. Great vis on the Aeolus/Spar: 50-60' with tons of marine life. Tomorrow's forecast is good, and we have planned to dive the Proteus. After all the rain we had earlier this week, the tide today was extremely high, and the water in the sound looks like coffee. Our finger pier was 6" from being underwater. Good thing it's not a full moon
Sept 12	Proteus	90'	82	Sunrise and over the Cape Proteus Turtle
				What a fantastic day to head to the Proteus! Left the dock at 6:30 and divers entered the water at 10am. A long ride, but well worth the trip. At 40' the wreck came into view, the vis had to be 90' or more. On descent it was easy to get a good idea of what the wreck looks like. A moderate current went all the way to the bottom, so everyone held fast to the lines. WARM water- over 80 degrees all the way down. No thermocline, just warm warm warm. On the 2nd dive the current had picked up a bit. That turtle surfaced numerous times while we were anchored. A light southwest breeze picked up in the late afternooon- just enough to show some whitecaps on the surface.
				The guys, pre-dive Close to home

Sept 13	Naeco	100+	84
				The diving today is why NC has such a good reputation! Unbelievable conditions on the Naeco Stern: the wreck was visible soon after starting the descent because of 100+ foot visibility. Even for veteran divers the underwater conditons today were worthy of any 'top ten' list. From our tie-in spot the forward break and the stern were both visible. Not only that, but the warm water- 84degrees, went all the way to the bottom: no thermocline whatsoever. Despite bumpy seas topside, the group did 2 dives here because it was simply impossible to leave. Some scallops were collected as well as a nice sized grouper. There have been repeated overly-high tides lately, so there could be something amiss in the underwater world... but since the recent storms brushed our coast we are enjoying the warm, clear conditions.


Sept 19	Spar Indra	80+ 40	82 77	With a half-new-to-Atlantis group of divers we set out to dive the Sub & Spar, but there was no room on the Sub for the first dive so we dove the Spar first. Predictably fantastic- the sharks were hanging out on the starboard side (in the lee) and interacting well with our divers! Visibility was great- at least 80' with 82 degree water top to bottom. Unfortunately the seas picked up a bit so we elected not to go further offshore, and headed in to the Indra instead. A wise choice! Vis was a solid 40' on the bottom, and 79/77 degree water still feels warm to nearly anyone! Lots of bottom time for the 2nd dive. A stingray with cobia was circling the wreck, and divers who had not seen the Indra in a few years were commenting on how much it has changed recently. Overall, a fantastic day!


Sept 26	Waaah

October 2009

	Location	Visibility	Temp	Comments
Oct 2	FISHING!	What a day! Beautiful sea conditions and just enough of a bite to keep the day interesting. Hooking up more often than landing, the Wahoo were biting! You'll never eat tuna salad again once getting a taste of grilled Wahoo salad!
Oct 3	Spar Hutton	70' 40'	80 78	After nearly a week of doom&gloom forecasts and a terrific thunderstorm Friday night, Saturday morning arrived and not a breath of wind! The flag at Ft.Macon was limp as we headed out the inlet. However, the ocean was sloppy- for lack of a better word, and the 'Naeco Express' stopped short at the Spar. Delightful conditions greeted us underwater: with the marine life putting on a great show. Sharks weren't as abundant as usual, but were found on the bow and off the starboard side of the wreck. Near the end of the dive, an impressive bait-ball passed the boat near the surface-a perfectly round ball of baitfish about 15' across with barracuda darting through it. As it passed, the barracuda (one in particular) remained agitated and invaded the personal space of divers hanging under the boat. Moving to the Hutton for the 2nd dive got us out of the sloppy sea conditions while also continuing the great underwater conditions. The underside of the Atlantis IV was clearly visible from the bottom! The extended bottom time of a shallower wreck allowed everyone to hunt and explore at leisure. Since the Seafood Festival is this weekend, the inlet/waterfront was more active than usual- we all were able to enjoy the action later that evening!
				Calmer seas inshore WITN TV at the Seafood Festival

Oct 3	Schurz	70'	80 deg	Full Moon Sunrise Avid Photographers! OMG! A Boat! Bruce+Ice=trouble!! "Not on my dry wetsuit!!"
				Today's ocean was much less sloppy than yesterday's! So if at first you feed the fish... dive, dive again!! Making way out to the Schurz allowed some good quality nap-time. A noticeable current was present, but didn't slow anyone down. More warm, clear water- from the rear set of boilers one could nearly see the ends of the wreck! Conditions were so good we stayed right there for the 2nd dive... allowing the devilish Bruce time to stir up some cold, cold trouble. If only we had a picture of the ice-sculpture he designed on Paul's bone-dry and warm wetsuit... messing with a dry wetsuit before the 2nd dive is crazy!! As the Mutiny dive boat arrived and anchored up, we heard that they saw a spotted eagle ray on their dive- that's awesome! Making a stop at the fuel dock allowed for a little more Seafood Festival time... just enough to get a funnel-cake, "to go"! Then to celebrate a great weekend, we got together and grilled Friday's Wahoo for dinner! Music by Otis and Mark kept us entertained, and perhaps one day in the future we'll have a genuine theme song!
				Mmmmm funnel cake! Live Concert tonight!

Oct 10	"Plan B" Fishing	Hazy	Hot
				Evidently the front that should have already passed has not... so that pesky SW wind persists. It also has brought back summer-like weather, nearly 90 degrees and 90% humidity. We bagged diving today, but rode around for a few hours fishing for Spanish near the inlet instead. Who says you can't drink beer at 8am?


Oct 12	Spar3x	80'	78	Today we were on a mission: to dive the Spar and get good pictures! With professional photographers on board, we stayed on the Spar for 3 dives: looking for "the" shot with sharks, bait balls, wreck... the esscence of a typical NC dive. By the time the dives were done, the wind had picked up from the North, and we had to beat our way back to the inlet, somewhat slower than usual. Hopefully the dives were productive enough, though there are more photos to be shot if the weather allows us out again in the near future.

August 2009

September 2009

October 2009