San Clemente Island
October 6, 2007 Day 3 of 3

"Hmm...what a difference a day makes."

Wow, I awoke this morning at 4:30am to a different ocean. The wind was gone...

Since we had to abort our night dive last evening I let everyone know that if the wind quit by morning we could get in a pre dawn dive. And so we did! It was beautiful, really cool to jump in in the dark and come out in the light. Watching the reef wake up is pretty groovy!

We spent the day in Pyramid Cove and got in 4 dives before leaving for home. Lobstering was slow with only a handful coming aboard. Lobsters 1, divers 0.

As I write we are on our way home with following seas and calm winds. Captain Chris is onboard Horizon and should be turning in reports from his trip. Click over to Horizon's Captain Log for details from Horizon.

Adios,
Captain Greg

Catalina and San Clemente Island
October 5, 2007 Day 2 of 3

"Hmm...who turned on the wind machine?"

We aimed toward Santa Barbara Island last night, but well short of our destination had to turn toward Catalina. We could have kept plowing toward SBI, but in with sanity in mind opted for the closer island.

As I cruised up the leeward side of the Catalina Island I kept thinking that I should have gone to San Clemente Island instead. But we had a boat full of lobster divers onboard, why would I want to go the the "Land of the Shorts"? Us boat captains all know that Catalina has better lobster diving than San Clemente, but when the wind blows at Catalina it is very hard to safely anchor and 85 foot 75 ton boat at any dive site that is decent.

We made a morning dive at Hen Rock, and it sure laid an egg as the wind freshened and swirled consistantly. So consistantely that our stern anchor broke free and so the game began.

At that point it was either spend the remainder of the day moored up in Avalon, as the wind was making it impossible to dive anyplace at Catalina or make the 30 mile run to San Clemente in freshening breeze and building sea. Hmm...nice calm day shopping in Avalon or 30 miles of pure hell to get in a couple of afternoon dives? Oh hell, we're divers not shoppers!!!

About 10 miles from Catalina and 20 from San Clemente I started to regret my decision as 30 - 40 knot winds and 15 to 25 foot seas were an absolute joy. I told myself that we only had 10 miles more until we would drive into the lee of San Clemente Island, so we forged ahead. This event happened on cue, but upon our arrival at San Clemente we were greeted by 35 to 45 knot winds! Oh joy, and I made this decision? Hmm...

We'll on the lighter side, we did have two good afternoon dives and our divers came back with a few lobster and even a couple smiles. I jumped in and had a great time as the underwater conditions were much better than topside. Hard to believe that below the turmoil on the surface, the undersea was almost tranquil.

As I write, we've had to forgo the night dive, as the wind is just too much to safely accomplish putting 30 divers into the water at night. After the earlier events from today, I know when to throw in the towel.

Adios,
Captain Greg

Point Loma Kelp Beds
October 4, 2007 Day 1 of 3

"Good diving in the kelp."

We departed late this morning for a couple dives in our local kelp beds. The weather is deteriorating so we hoped that the weather would hold long enough for us to dive today and then to travel west toward Santa Barbara Island.

The conditions at the kelp beds were nice, with 20 foot visibility and 68 degree surface temperature. Balmy for October!

With a poor weather outlook we'll attempt Santa Barbara in a couple hours, but I'm thinking we'll end up at Catalina. Stay tuned...

Adios,
Captain Greg