Sat. Nov. 1 found my ten year old son and I driving around Chapel
Hill with it 81 degrees and the sun bright.I recalled that a friend
at Gypsy Divers, in Raleigh had mentioned that Olympus in Morehead
City had just called her. They were bragging about 120 ft. vis and
bottom temps of 77.
I had already put up my equipment for the winter and sworn to my
wife that I was done.Yea,
I jumped on the net and found that Olympus was running extended day
trips on Sat and Sunday to the Naeco.Two deep dives on the same
wreck instead of a shallow wreck on the way back in.If it was going
to be my last day I might as well go for it.
Called and found out there was plenty of room.they had 50 ft vis and
mid 70s on the bottom.As an afterthought I asked if my son could
come along for the ride,he had just finished Scuba Rangers and
wanted to come watch.The kind girl I was talking to
called the Capitan out on the boat asking if my son could
come.Captain said sure but the ride was going to be three hours each
way and the seas might be rough.
Drove down to Morehead City Sat evening and got a clean nice room at
the Best Western for under $50.00
6am at the boat,had to rent a wet suit ,forgot mine in the rush.14
divers including a mate I had seen over at Discovery.All crew and
fellow divers friendly,moderate seas,bright warm sun and a three
hour trip out.They had changed the destination to the Lobster Wreck
and were we in luck!!Dropped anchor in three to four foot
seas,received a clear and thorough pre dive briefing and over we
went.
First dive123 ft 22 min vis 100plus. Around 30 feet the wreck
started to appear,could see 40,50 ft ot onto the sand all around the
wreck.Barracuda,Pompano and amber-jacks on the way down,with some
manageable current.Sponges coral,Queen angle Fish,res snappers large
Spade-fish and many lobsters who showed me how much faster they were
than me.My buddy had a camera and with all the light and fish he had
a great time.
#2 121ft. 22min and 80 at the bottom.
Vis was still 100 plus but current had picked up some.I looked for a
nurse shark someone had seen the first dive with no luck but half
way up the wreck,down between two beams were a pair of Lion
Fish.They just sat there even with my light on them.Saw someone else
catch another lobster but with limited bottom time I looked around
until I had to go back up.Seas were 5ft but everyone got back up
safe.My son had a great time and didn't get into anybody's way .
It seems so strange that summer temps and vis are here in Nov.It was
a great trip,dive 20 and 21 for me and a wonderful end of a long
summer.
Dive Safe