Sunday, August 22, 2010

Dive 25 Lanesville Shore

Pre Dive

We pulled up to Lanesville Shores and as Pete and Chris were deciding where to anchor, Laurant yells that he has just seen a whale. Of course, we looked at him like he was nuts. We were 30 ft offshore. The area where he saw it was just over some rocks by the mouth of Foley Cove. Laurent is swearing up and down that he has seen a whale so we look at each other and say let's go see if he did.

Off we went to find the whale. We are about 50 yards further out from the mouth of the cove. We have all taken an area to check. Then the shouts, "Whale". It was dead ahead. Only a portion of the whale surfaced, the blow hole then the back. The whale was a humpback, probably a juvenile. We thought it was about 40 ft long, it was about 8 ft across. Pete saw the tail.

I got into my dry suit really fast. I didn't even put on my fuzzy's. I wanted to get to the bow but also wanted to be dry while i filmed. Gave one camera to Pete who was on the upper deck and I took one to bow. Laurent had his camera too. With 3 cameras going we should be able to get something that is usable in the movie.


The whale would come up twice, first to breath then the second to get ready to dive. The whale would stay down about 5 minutes and then come up again. The depth of the water is only about 70 ft. The whale was just meandering down the cost.

This was the most awesome day of the year. This beats the sharks (sorry Veronica), the mola mola's, and lobzilla. Back to the dive log.

Lanesville Shores

After the whale sighting this was a let down. I was the last one in the water. I forgot to take in Pete's sea-doo. Very gloomy. Ears were squishy. Body cold. Only had on the dry suit, no fuzzy. Stayed in about 10 minutes and then decided I was done. Not much there.

Dive 25
Lobsters 14

Saturday, August 21, 2010

August 21st - Dives 23 and 24

Egg Rock

Our first stop was Egg Rock. I started with only 2400 psi. Plus the new air gauge I installed yesterday had a huge leak. I started down the down line. I needed to take it slow since I didn't take any sudafed. My ears cleared pretty easy so I set off to find some lobsters.

Pete went in right after me with his new toy. A sea-doo scooter. I could hear him scooting around as I searched for lobsters. The sea-doo has a high pitched noise when it runs.

I followed a rift until it ran out then i headed up the towards shore. I pulled out about 5/6 lobsters with eggs. I think I was in the maternity ward. Found a bunch of notches that i swam along and saw jonah crabs, green crabs and small fish. I turned a corner of one notch and ran into a tautog. We both were surprised. The tautog was beautiful.

I was getting floaty so I knew I had less than 1,000 psi in the tank. I headed deeper so I wouldn't have to fight to stay down. I finally caught a lobster that didn't have eggs or a notch. It was just legal so it is somewhere around 6 to 8 years old.

The water temperature was colder than yesterday but not too cold. I'm still wearing my 5 finger mitts. I reached about 30 ft. The lobsters like to hang out in about 25 ft of water so i like to hang there too.

Air was low, under 500 psi so I decided to go back to the boat.


Kettle Island

Dive 24 was at Kettle Island. i hoped to find lobzilla again but first I wanted to use the sea-doo. The battery was weakening so I didn't have much time.

Fred and I went down and found a spot where he could film me using the sea-doo. We did about 5 to 6 takes before the battery died. Brought it back to the boat and got my bag and poker.

I went back down the downline and found lots of lobsters. Unfortunately it was another maternity ward. Swam towards shore since I was in about 30 ft of water. As I rounded one rock I spotted lobzilla. This one looked bigger than the one Laurent filmed. I went back to the boat to get Fred's' camera. I wanted to film it.

I set up the shot. the camera on the sand looking into the hole the lobster had made in the sand by a rock. It wasn't afraid, it just laid there looking at me. As the camera was filming a tiny lobster, a baby, fell down the side of the rock and into the shot. I'm hoping it comes out.

Dives 24
Lobster 14

Friday, August 20, 2010

Friday August 20th dive

Pete, Laurent and I "stole" the boat today and went to Kettle Island. I wanted to catch lobsters, Pete too. Laurent wanted to film.



We had a great time. We anchored on the seaward facing side of the island, a place we normally do not go to because of the wind and waves.



Beautiful place underwater. I used the down line and went forward of the boat. Found a nice crack in the rock and followed it; ran into Pete, who was ahead of me. I caught my first lobster there. Followed that crack until it stopped then went across a short plain towards some boulders. The plain was covered in a short green growth with area's of brown moss. The boulders had some neat seaweed growing from them. I was being followed by a group of perch about 6 of them.



Found another lobster, this one huge, it came out easy so I think someone was there before me. The lobster had eggs so I put it back in its hole. I found lots of lobsters but they were either too short or had eggs.



My air gauge was broken so I couldn't tell how much air I had left but I knew I was going low because I was getting light. Had to find a deeper place since I was going low. I know that sounds crazy but I wasn't even close to running out of air. I still had about a half hour left.



As I was going around I found a notch and swam down it. As I followed it I found 2 lobsters. They were both a good size so I was happy. I caught 3 of them on one dive. I usually catch 1 per dive. There was another one, even bigger, but I couldn't get it because one of the other lobsters I caught was holding onto the side of the bag and I couldn't close it. If I went after that last lobster then I risked losing the entire bag.



Went to Ted's place afterwards to get a new air pressure gauge. Stole lots of tomatoes from Ted's place. They were great!



Dives 22

Lobster 13

Monday, August 16, 2010

Diving August 15th

Another great dive day!


We went North again due to the South wind. Long slow ride up the Annisquam River however we did see 1 boat run aground and 3 others that were high and dry. Glad it wasn't me.


Fred had us drive by Cathedral Rocks so he could get some footage for the movie. Then we drove back to Lanesville Shores for the first dive. Had to push everyone in the water.


Noticed 2 divers on the surface without their float. One headed to the shore while the other headed out to get the float. The float was being pushed out to sea by the wind so Chris decided to row out and help. Luckily for Chris the wind was at her back so she got there quickly. She met up with him and was talking to the diver.


The other diver finally made it to the boat and we got him on and out of his gear. He was tired. Unfortunately for him, he arrived at the boat with his mask around his neck. Fred had a lecture going about it as soon as he touched the boat. Yikes. I agree with Fred. You should not put your mask around your neck because you then can't put your mouthpiece back in until you move your mask. Having a mask on your head is NOT a sign of trouble.


Chris was having trouble rowing against the wind so we decided to meet her and see if she needed a tow. We couldn't take the boat because all of the divers were under the boat. We took an extra float and headed out. We met Chris and she told us the father was alright and was going back to shore on the bottom. We towed Chris back for a while then she decided she could row back to the boat.


Once back at the boat I decided I would scuba for a while since I still have 1200psi left. Went down the down line and found it very fuzzy and dark (not just because I was under the boat). I held onto the down line and went for "ride" as the boat swung around. Bored I went back up.


The father had made it closer to shore so they asked the son if he wanted to go back to shore. He couldn't wait to get off the boat. Ha Ha! I yelled up that I would swim him back just to make sure he got there safe and sound. As we reached the shore we found out the son had forgotten his weight belt. I was shocked to find out that the son had 30 lbs of weight. He had 20 on a belt and 10 on his bc. He must sink like a stone when he has everything on.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Weekend Dive August 14th Folly Cove

Great Weekend for Diving! The weather was wonderful this weekend. It was clear and sunny on both days.

Saturday, August 14th



We had a full boat of 6 people. We went North up the Annisquam River because the wind was coming from the south side of the cape. We went to Folly Cove because Chris was teaching a student. We dropped the two of them off at the beach and then anchored the boat at AR/ER. These are letters that have been spray painted onto the wall. The letters have been there since before I started diving in 1994.

I jumped in and used the down line to get to the bottom. We were shallow and I was floaty. Probably because I still had some air in my dry suit. I went back to the boat for another 5 lbs. I was too heavy but at least I was down. I hadn't taken any sudafed so I was afraid my ears would not clear.

Lots of small fish (cunners) and green crabs. Looked at the lobsters but they seemed small so I didn't even try to catch them. I did get 2 sand dollar. I was in for about 20 minutes. Grabbed an apple while I sat waiting for the other divers to come back. Noticed Chris was bringing her student back on the surface. He was facedown looking into the ocean. Chris was on her back pulling the inflatable. Decided to swim over to them and see if I could help.

Before jumping in I pumped my drysuit up with some air. I reached them and asked Chris if she needed anything and she asked if I would help take Jon's weight belt off and put it in the inflatable. Unfortunately I had to toss my apple in order to get the belt into the boat. Then Jon, Chris and I towed the inflatable back to the boat.



Dive number 2 - The Restaurant at Folly Cove

I didn't want to push my ears beyond their breaking point so I decided to sit this one out. However I was starving, no breakfast, and didn't want to chips and crackers. Decided to swim to the restuarant and bring some lunch back to the boat. I had to take the inflatable because it was the only way to get the food back dry. I swam over in my dry suit, hat, sunglasses and fins. I dragged the boat up out of the water and climbed up the rocks to the restaurant. The other patrons were surprised, the kids were curious and the dogs weren't really sure what to make of me. I went around front and placed my order. I wasn't sure who else was going to be eat so I got 2 hot dogs, french fries and a salad. I was overheating from the sun so I found some shade to sit in while waiting for the order. I didn't want to sit inside since I was still wet. I carried the food back down the rocks and gently placed it in inflatable. I was slightly worried when I came back becuase the tide was coming in and the inflatable was now in the water. Put my fins on and swam back to the boat. I loved it!!!



Dives 21

Lobsters 10

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

My Scorpion Story..

Alright, I'm pulling a 501 bid on the price is right. Sorry Fox, I'm trying to meet Drew Carey.

I remember my first trip to Andros Island in the Bahamas. I was getting certified by Fred, as long as i passed a few things, including buddy breathing. I digress. I decided to turn in early one night. While brushing my teeth I walk around my room. I asked for, got and paid for an extra large room. I hate sleeping in twin beds. I had shut the door to my room because we had a strong breeze off the ocean. As I brushed I noticed an interesting shape on the door. I thought the owners had painted images on the back of the door and went to look more closely. I'm standing there brushing my teeth and thinking I'm looking at a picture of a scorpion, ok i was tired, and then it moved.

The only advice I can give others is when you find a live scorpion make sure you have thought through how you are going to catch it. On the coffee table in the room was a set of 4 glasses, and i took one and put it over the scorpion. Now I'm stuck holding the glass over the scorpion while I try to figure out my next move. On the same table was a piece of paper I could use however I couldn't reach it by leaning. I had to pull the table over using my foot so i could then get the paper to slide under the glass.

All's well that ends well. I got the paper and slid it under the glass. I was then able to put the glass on the table with the scorpion safely inside. Then I ran. First to my neighbor who was half asleep and thought it was a good thing to find scorpion. After that I ran back to the lodge and found my friends and told them. Lynn and Pete came back to the room. I was freaked out because I had never seen a scorpion before tonight. I thought there might be more in the room.

Pete asked; "do you want me to flush it or let it go?" I was shocked. Who in their right mind is going to let a scorpion go? I have him my best; are you shitting me look and told him to kill it.
The scorpion got flushed and I slept horribly that night. The next day i had my room fumigated.

I never want to meet another scorpion!

Monday, August 9, 2010

August Diving

I had a 4 day weekend and was lucky enough to spend most of it diving off of Gloucester. 3 of us, Pete, Laurent and I, dived Rafe's Chasm on Friday. Beautiful spot however we rarely ever go there because it is exposed to boat traffic and the open ocean. I had 2 goals; lobsters and filming a scene for Laurent.
Laurent had me swim down the anchor line than when I was about 10 ft above him to let go of the line and swim over his head. After that scene I was then to swim back around and swim over him again so he could get me swimming away. That was easy.
The lobstering was tougher. Lots of small lobsters but very few that were "legal". I was able to find 3 good sized ones. The water was freezing and somewhat fuzzy but that was because we were so close to shore and the chasm. Lots of swaying.
Saturday was fun too however we had to reshoot the scenes from Friday. The water was too fuzzy. We went to Graves Island also called The Wreck of the New Hampshire. We all wanted to search the area for trinkets from The Wreck. I went shallow and found a nice place I thought would be a good area to search since there were stones that looked like they had been on fire. I found alot of small nails. I had a lobster bag with me that I could put my stash in to however i didn't get anything big enough to put in it. While I was busy trying to clear the area a hand thrusts a lobster in my face. Of course I jump! The lobster is good so I put it in the bag, wave at the group that has been watching me and go back to my digging. It was very hard to dig and make sure i didn't crush the lobster. Finally looked at my gauges and saw i was under 500 psi. Took one last look at the hole and turned back to the boat.
The next dive was to the backside of Kettle Island. This is where Laurent and I refilmed the scene. Back down the line and up and over Laurent as he filmed. We went deep because and found lots of tiny lobsters. Saw one that was no longer than my finger. It was hanging under a piece of seaweed that I moved to see if there was a lobster behind it. Laurent pulled my fin to get my attention and when I turned I jumped. He had the biggest lobster I have ever seen and I have caught a 10lber. He hands me the lobster so he can film and I had to use both hands to hold it. He grabbed my bag and poker in his claws so I let go of them. Once I relaxed my grip slightly so I could still hold him but let him move around a little he calmed down. I put my hand on his crusher claw and he tried to bite me with his other claw. Even if I spread my hand out it wouldn't fit across the crusher claw. Pictures will be coming. Laurent is going to send them to me. We think he was about 20 lbs. To figure out whether it was a male or female I looked for a notch in his fin and since there wasn't one I turned him over and found he was a male. How was he able to survive this long without being caught. Amazing.
At the end of the day I had 6 lobsters to bring to a dinner party that night. Life is good!
Sunday morning my ears were feeling a little squishy, that is a medical term, so I took 2 sudafed. Laurent wanted to film some more but I didn't think my ears would take it so we put it off until next weekend. We went to the restaurant at Folly Cove, a nice dive. I went down the down line which helped me control my descent so I could clear my ears slowly. I made it down and came across the anchor. Was going to head towards an area where I heard there is scarlet solstice but then saw Pete and decided to follow him. He went deep out into the cove. It was cold and dark and sandy. I was wondering where he was going because there was nothing out there but then we started seeing lobsters sitting in holes in the sand. The lobsters dig holes and hide in them when they feel there is danger. As we swam we came across huge boulders that housed more lobsters. They were all shorts. I did find a shell from a moon snail. Very nice. While we were deep, 65 ft, I added air to my drysuit and now that we were going shallow I was very floaty. I was holding onto rocks to get the air out but it wasn't working. We ended up back under the boat and decided to call the dive. My ears were holding up so I decided I would go in on the 2nd dive.
The last dive of the weekend was in Hoop Pole Cove. Lovely place, the cove slopes down and then comes back up in the middle and then slopes back down (like a mountain in the middle of a bowl). The rocks are covered with Irish Moss. I only saw shorts so I decided to go back to the boat. About an hour later my ears where a little sore then by the time I got home they hurt a lot.

Totals
Dives: 20
Lobsters: 10