Monday, September 26, 2011

We left the dock Friday night with a boat full of divers and headed to the West Bank. The forecast suggested that we might have a choppy ride out, but when we cleared the Freeport Jetties the sea was nearly flat and we had a nice smooth trip to the Flower Gardens. Saturday the sea was calm all day with almost no current in the morning. A huge manta decided to come by and play during the second dive and just wouldn’t leave. After the divers re-boarded it just hung around the swim platform looking like a dog that needed someone to play with. Several got back in and snorkeled with it until it was time to move to the next dive site. At lunch we moved to the High Island 376A platform. As always, the 376A was full of life, including a number of silky sharks. We’ve had nothing but great dives on this platform all year. By afternoon the current picked up, and by the time we did our night dive on the East Bank it was substantial. Even so, the divers managed it well and had good dives. The group had the standard nightcap, hot brownies and ice cream (and a lot of other goodies), and rested up for morning dives at Stetson Bank. Sunday morning we woke up on Stetson to find the boat rolling around. The weather man got it right; he just had the days backwards. Seas had built to around 4-5 feet overnight, but we were laying straight into the sea which made it not so bad. The good news was the current had died to near nothing and the diving was great. During our seven dives, divers saw sharks, turtles, stingrays, lobster, urchins, lots of jacks, several lion fish, a big manta…the list goes on. Water temperature in the Gulf is still around 85 degrees and the visibility has been really good. We have trips headed out every weekend through the end of October. It’s not too late to get in some good diving. Grab a buddy and come join us! Captain Bland .

Saturday, July 23, 2011

M/V Fling Trip Report: July 21-22, 2011 We left Freeport Wednesday night headed to the East Bank. It wasn’t the smoothest ride I’ve ever had, but it wasn’t bad either. At the East Bank, we dove two dives in three foot seas, light current, 85 degree water surface temperature, and around 75 foot visibility. After the second dive, a group of divers reboarded and told us they saw a small lion fish. We watched their short video, but it was very difficult to confirm the sighting based on what we saw. There were a couple of frames that looked like it might possibly be a lion fish. We’ll be back on the sight Monday morning and will try to find it again. At lunch we moved to the High Island 376A platform. Conditions were about the same, except the sea had calmed to about two feet. As usual, we saw a really big turtle, sharks, schools of amber jack, king mackerel, and lots of other life. We finished up on the 376A and headed to the East Bank. We did an evening dive and a night dive on East Bank #5. Conditions hadn’t changed from the 376A. Friday morning we moved to Stetson Bank. Seas had picked up to around four feet, visibility about 70 feet, current was mild, and the surface temperature 85. Divers found sharks, an octopus, lobster, and many schools of fish. Another good trip. Captain Bland .

Monday, July 18, 2011

M/V Fling Trip Report: July 15-16, 2011 and July 16-17, 2011 The Fling is running around the clock now and I just haven’t had time to do trip reports for the last two trips, so here’s a quick summary. The weather has been great for a while now. Seas have been running around two feet, the current has been generally mild, the visibility has been around 80-90 feet at East and West Bank (a little less at Stetson), and the surface water temperature has been 85 degrees (83-84 on the bottom). We’ve seen mantas, turtles, sharks, big grouper, lots of eels, plenty of sting rays, schools of amber jack, huge lobsters…I could go on and on. In summary: It’s good, and we expect it to get even better. Grab a buddy and come dive with us. Captain Bland .

Thursday, July 14, 2011

MV Fling Trip Report: Teachers Diving Cruise July 10-13, 2011 Sunday night we left Freeport with a boat full of teachers and personnel from the Gulf of Mexico Foundation, Texas A&M University, and the Flower Gardens Sanctuary office. The goal of this trip was to provide an educational opportunity for teachers, and give them a firsthand look at the diversity of life in the Gulf. They were to find and identify as many species of marine life as they could. The knowledge gained through this experience will be passed along in classrooms throughout the United States. We tied up on the West Bank of the Flower Gardens Monday morning and jumped in. Conditions were good and stayed about the same throughout the trip. Seas were about two feet, surface water temperature was 84-85 degrees, visibility was about 80 feet (about 60 feet at Stetson), and the current was mild. Divers found turtles, eels, grouper, trunk fish, puffers, and lots of other things. After the second dive on the West Bank we moved to the High Island 389 platform. Most of our divers had never seen the depths of a platform and were amazed at the life that inhabited the structure. After the platform dive we moved to the East Bank buoy #5 for an afternoon and night dive. The teachers added a lot of species to their list. Tuesday morning we moved to East Bank buoy #1 and hit the jackpot. Divers found turtles, sharks, mantas, mobulas, rays and huge grouper. We had an intern onboard that was not a diver but wanted to snorkel, so she jumped in for a look around and was visited by a large manta and four silky sharks. To say she was excited is an understatement. After the dive we gathered our things and cruised to the High Island 376A platform. The 376A is always awesome. There were tons of fish, sharks, and a turtle that wouldn’t leave the divers alone. We finished our dive, logged the new species that were found, and headed to Stetson Bank. We arrived at Stetson Tuesday afternoon for an evening and night dive, and did two more dives there Wednesday morning. Stetson was just alive. Diver saw southern sting rays, ling, scorpion fish, octopus, sharks, big schools of different types of fish and two eagle rays cruising the wall. I think everyone onboard had a great time. I sure did. The group found and identified 101 different species of life on the banks. Not many places you can find that. A big thanks to all the teachers who participated, the dive supervisors from Texas A&M University, the Flower Gardens National Marine Sanctuary, and a special thanks to the Gulf of Mexico Foundation who coordinated the trip. Our crew is already looking forward to next year’s teacher’s cruise. Captain Bland .

Monday, July 04, 2011

MV Fling Sport Trip July 2-3, 2011 It took a while for the latest disturbance in the Gulf to head into Mexico, but when it did the seas went from mad to glad overnight. We left Freeport Friday night in a bit of a chop, but by the time we got to the West Bank the sea was a long smooth two foot swell. We tied to buoy number 4 and during our two dives there the group saw two mantas, a southern sting ray, eels, big grouper, several different types of puffers, and lots of barracuda. Water temperature was 84 degrees, visibility was about 75 feet, with a very mild current. After our two West Bank dives, we headed to the High Island 376A platform. We tied up to the HI 376A platform a little after lunch. Conditions were about the same as they were at the West Bank. The resident turtle greeted divers as they explored the underwater structure and silky sharks joined in the fun. As always, the platform was covered with life. We loaded everyone back on the boat and cruised to the East Bank. We tied to buoy 5 at the East Bank. Conditions had not changed much, except the wind had died completely and the sea had smoothed out even more. We watched dolphins and a manta play on top during our surface interval, and then hopped in for our evening dive. Divers found a good size nurse shark lounging on the bottom, eels, jacks, and tuna. After a good night dive we ate brownies and Blue Bell ice cream and enjoyed the rest of the night. Sunday morning we got to Stetson Bank. The sea was still calm, water temperature was 83 degrees, visibility was about 40 feet and the current had picked up some making things a little more challenging. Everyone managed it fine though. During our two dives there, divers saw silky sharks, two octopuses, a number of eels and sting rays, angles, and lots of other fish. We headed home on a smooth sea. It was a good group and a good trip. Thanks to all the passengers and crew. Captain Bland .

Saturday, June 25, 2011

We woke up this morning to wind and a light mist, but headed out to our final destination in high spirits. We crossed under the Galveston Causeway Bridge and set out to Alligator Point. About three miles from our destination we came across a bank restoration project that we wanted the teachers to see. So…we stuck the boat in the mud and they got to look at it for a couple of hours. Finally, a generous tug boat pulled us out of the mud unharmed, costing us a Fling hat and tee shirt. We arrived at Alligator point about 11:00 and tied up to one of the large moorings, then boated all of the teachers to the bank. They planted 325 mangroves on the island, and returned to the boat tired and muddy. They found that the mangroves planted on the spring Teachers Cruise were growing and doing well. We gathered our things and headed to Freeport. This had to be one of the best trips I’ve been on; educational, productive, and a load of fun. I’m already looking forward to next year’s Teachers Cruises. A big thanks to all the great teachers that participated. Captain Bland .

Thursday, June 23, 2011

This morning, after a night of watching a drilling barge be readied for sea, we left the Sabine Pass Anchorage and headed back to the Intercoastal Waterway. As we cruised west toward Galveston we encountered more barges and workboats than we could count, and three dredges working hard to deepen the ICW. Those who wanted to see boats and the commercial marine environment had plenty to entertain them. As we arrived at our exploration site the black clouds rolled in and the rain started, so we decided to continue on to Galveston. Everyone onboard was so excited to see rain that they didn’t really care if the kayaking was delayed. Along the way our eagle eyed teachers spotted several alligators, quite a few dolphins, and a coyote. I’m guessing that to a gator, teachers taste like chicken. This afternoon we made it across Galveston Bay to the Galveston Yacht Basin where we anchored for the night. After a full day of classes and presentations, most of the group is sitting on the sundeck watching the ships go by and the ferries carry folks across the bay. The rest of the group is in the salon watching a movie and waiting patiently for dinner to be served. It was another very enjoyable day. Captain Bland

Thursday, June 09, 2011

MV Fling Trip Report June 6-8, 2011 We left the dock Sunday night and headed to the West Bank of the Flower Gardens on a calm sea and a light North wind. It just doesn’t get any better than that. The weather just keeps getting better. Sunday and Monday the wind was light, seas were from flat to about one foot, water temperature was around 82 degrees, visibility was 100 feet plus, and there was very little current. After two good dives at the West Bank we moved to the High Island 376A platform. As always, it was loaded with sea life. Three large loggerhead turtles kept the divers entertained, and a number of silky sharks cruised through the platform. When we finished the 376A we moved to the East Bank for an evening and a night dive. When we tied up to buoy #5 I looked over the rail of the boat and could clearly see the reef and sand patches. It was gorgeous. After two good dives we ate brownies and Blue Bell ice cream and got some sleep. Tuesday morning we moved buoy #1 and our divers explored the drop off. When they were done we intended to move to the High Island 389 platform, but there was a work boat tied to it so we had to find another platform to dive. We held a vote (yes there is the occasional democratic moment on the boat) and our guests decided they wanted to go back to the 376A; so we did. It was just as awesome the second time as it was the first. We finished the 376A dive, picked up our stuff, and headed to Stetson Bank. We got to Stetson and tied to buoy #3. Conditions were good even though the current was a little stronger that at the other banks. We did an afternoon dive and a night dive. Both were good. Divers found sharks, rays, lots of eels, big angel fish, huge lobster, scorpion fish, and schools of various fish. Wednesday morning we moved to buoy #1 and found the pennant line had been cut in half. Unfortunately there are only two mooring buoys left on Stetson, so we repaired #1 (replaced the line) and were back in business. Hopefully the Flower Gardens Sanctuary personnel will do some buoy maintenance and repair before too long. The wind had shifted to the south and picked up some. The sea came up to about 3 feet but everyone managed it really well. We did our two last dives and headed back to Freeport with the south wind pushing us home. Three days of good weather and good diving, and a group of outstanding divers. Makes working on a boat a good job. Captain Bland MV Fling .

Monday, June 06, 2011

MV Fling Trip Report June 4-5, 2011 The weather continued to hold out for us and the forecast was good as we headed back to the Flower Gardens Friday night. Saturday morning we arrived at the West Bank and found the dive conditions very good. Visibility was close to 100 feet, water temperature 81, 3 foot sea, and light current. Divers reported seeing big schools of amber jack, horse eye jacks, eels, barracuda, and numerous other tropical and game fish. After two good dives on the West Bank, we moved to the High Island 376A platform. We arrived at the 376A a little after noon. The sea was down to around 2 feet, visibility was 100+ feet, water temperature 81, with a very light current. The 376A is simply a giant aquarium. Marine life, big and small is just everywhere. Sharks, a giant loggerhead turtle, mackerel, jacks, bristle worms, and amberjack were just a few of the many things seen on the platform. After the platform dive we moved to the East Bank. Conditions just kept improving. The water was so clear there I think I could have seen Freeport if it hadn’t been for the huge clouds of brine shrimp. Water temperature was 82, almost no current, and the sea was 2 feet. We spotted sharks, sturgeons, trigger fish, urchins, shrimp, lookdowns, and lots of barracuda. By the time we did our night dive the sea was almost flat. Early Sunday morning we steamed to Stetson Bank on a sea that was less than 1 foot. When we arrived on the bank, we found the visibility was around 80 feet, with a water temperature of 80 degrees. The current was a little more than at the other banks, but still not too bad. Divers saw sharks, several southern sting rays, eels, big angel fish, parrot fish, blennies, urchins, lots of lobsters and large schools of various other fish. It’s been a long time since I’ve had that smooth of a ride back to Freeport. A good ending to a good trip. Captain Bland MV Fling .

Sunday, June 05, 2011

MV Fling Trip Report June 2-3, 2011 We were beginning to wonder if the wind was ever going to lie down. It finally did. We headed out to the Flower Gardens on Wednesday night on almost smooth waters, and arrived on the West Bank at 5:45 Thursday morning. The sea was 1-2 feet, visibility was close to 100 feet, water temperature was about 80 degrees, and the current was very light. During two good dives, divers saw large schools of big Amber Jack, eels, grouper, barracuda, and a big lobster. A good start to a good trip. At lunch we moved to the High Island 376A platform. Conditions were about the same as the West Bank, and the dive was awesome as always. Sharks, a huge turtle, schools of jacks, and a variety of other critters just covered the platform. You just can’t go wrong on the HI 376A. Around 3 in the afternoon, we moved to the East Bank. The wind picked up a little and the seas were running about 3 feet with a moderate current, visibility was around 80 feet, and the water temperature was 82 degrees. By the time we did our night dive, the wind had calmed and seas were back down to 2 feet. The coral on the East Bank looks better than ever. Divers saw trunk fish, grouper, several different types of jacks, urchins, parrot fish, and rays. Friday morning we moved to Stetson Bank; my favorite place. Seas were about 3 feet with a moderate current, water temperature around 80, and visibility about 70 feet. As always, there was at ton of sea life. Several rays, lots of eels (one free swimming), scorpion fish, french and queen angles, and quite a few lobsters and a variety of other life roamed the bank. Around noon, with the wind on our stern, we headed back to Freeport. This trip was a good one. The weather is finally improving and conditions in the sanctuary are getting right. Grab a couple of friends and come join us. Captain Bland MV Fling .

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

M/V Fling Trip Report: April 2-3, 2011 Mother Nature blessed us again, leaving us a weather window that was just right for some fine diving. We set sail for the west bank Friday night in light seas and arrived at buoy #2 about 6am Saturday morning. Divers hopped in the water a little after 7 for their first dive and finished their second about 11:30. The surface water temperature was 71 degrees, seas were running a little over two feet, and visibility was about 80 feet. We had a moderate surface current to about 25 feet, but below that is was mild. The west bank has been full of hammerheads this year, and this weekend was no exception. Lots of hammerheads, a couple of tiger sharks, a few reef sharks, big grouper, eels, and schools of barracuda were seen. While our divers ate lunch, we moved the Fling to the High Island 389 platform and jumped in at 2pm. Conditions were about the same as they were on the west bank, but the surface current was a little less. As always, the 389 was full of life, big and small. Several silky sharks patrolled the parameter of the platform watching the divers watch them. When everyone was back onboard we moved to the East Bank reef and tied to buoy #5. Saturday afternoon the sea calmed to less than two feet, making for really nice evening and night dives on the east bank. The current was very light, temperature was 71 degrees, and visibility was around 100 feet. Hammerheads, a tiger shark, reef sharks, and a manta joined our divers as they explored the reef. The group ascended through a huge school of big barracuda as they surfaced from the night dive. At 2am Sunday morning we moved the Fling to Stetson bank, and tied to buoy #3 about 6am. The water was a little cooler on Stetson with a surface temperature of 69 degrees. Seas were about 3 feet, visibility about 70 feet, and the current was very mild. Divers reported schools of fish of every shape and size. A few hammerheads were spotted there too. After the second dive we started back to Freeport in a 3 foot following sea, making the trip home nice and smooth. The wind began to pick up about 15 miles from home, but we made it back well before the bad weather hit. It was a great trip, thanks to our outstanding crew and a really fun group of divers. Captain Bland M/V Fling .

Monday, March 21, 2011

Trip Report: March 19-20, 2011 The wind had to die sooner or later. It finally did. We left Freeport at 9:30 Friday night with a 2 foot sea. After a pretty nice ride to the West Bank we tied to buoy #5 and started our day. Seas were still around 2 feet, visibility about 80 feet, current was very mild, and the water temperature was 67 degrees. Our group had two good dives there and saw a number of hammerheads, tiger sharks, reef sharks, a turtle, and mantas. The weather topside was gorgeous; warm and sunny. At lunch we set out to the High Island 389 platform. We tied off on the 389 at 1:15pm and took a few minutes to admire the deep blue color of the water there. At 2:00 divers went in to explore this awesome site. During the dive they saw lots of silky sharks, big amberjack, a large ling, and lots of game and tropical fish. Seas were 2-3 feet, visibility was near 100 feet, water temperature 66 degrees, with no current. It was a very good dive. We left the 389 and steamed to East Bank buoy #5 and found conditions about the same as they were on the 389. During the surface interval our sundeck was full of content divers taking advantage of the warm temperature and sunshine. Our first dive was a good one with divers sighting a turtle, a manta, reef sharks, huge barracudas and lots of small life in the reef. The night dive was illuminated by one of the brightest full moons I have ever seen. Divers saw sharks, although they weren’t sure what kind they were, a manta (they were everywhere), urchins, a turtle, lots of barracuda, shrimp, and crabs. At 2:00am on Sunday we headed for Stetson bank with a smooth following sea, and arrived at buoy #3 at 6:00. Seas were running 3 to 4 feet, visibility 40 feet, water temperature 65 degrees and a very mild current. The group saw urchins, trunk fish, large angel fish, scorpion fish, huge lobster, tuna, eels, and many large schools of fish. On this trip we had the best weather we’ve had so far this year. Hopefully it will only get better from here. Captain Bland MV Fling. .

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Trip Report – Teachers ICW Cruise: March 13-18, 2011 This trip was a bit unique to us. Grade school teachers, mostly science teachers, spent a week on the Fling exploring the wetlands between Lake Charles, Louisiana and Freeport, Texas. The trip was funded through the Gulf of Mexico Foundation, which made the cost to the teachers minimal. We loaded 22 teachers on the boat Sunday night and set out across the Gulf, headed to the Calcasieu River. As we left the Freeport jetties and turned into the Gulf of Mexico I was excited to find the sea had calmed to about two feet, and was closer to one foot by the time we got to Louisiana. However, I soon learned that most of the teachers had never been in the Gulf, and the ride our crew thought was great made a number of them sick. An experience that they were laughing about by the time we got home. We entered the Calcasieu River just after the sun came up Monday morning and had calm waters and smooth sailing for the next five days. Day 1: We cruised up the Calcasieu about 25 miles and turned west into the Intercoastal Waterway. The teachers were involved in onboard workshops and enjoyed the scenery until lunch. After lunch we launched five kayaks and two dingy loads of teachers to explore the Louisiana wetlands. They made their way back to the boat several hours later wet and muddy, with lots of neat stuff they collected and a lot of stories about their adventure. We loaded the teachers, kayaks, and dingies and continued our westbound trek. Late in the afternoon we found a beautiful channel in the wetlands and anchored for the night. Day 2: After morning workshops, the teachers set out in kayaks and dingies to explore the area around our anchorage. They came back with bags of goodies they collected, which included very old bottles, part of an animal scull, several types of small fish, and some trash that they were kind enough to pick up. While they were out they saw river otters, raccoons, and several alligators. We watched a large gator swim across the river. Wonder if gators think teachers taste like chicken? After we got everything reloaded on the boat we steamed across Sabine Lake and down the Sabine River to Sabine Pass, and anchored for the night in the designated anchorage. Several of the group took the dingy to the beach for a leisurely evening stroll. Day 3: We left the anchorage about 8:00am and motored north to Port Author where we resumed our westward journey in the Intercoastal Waterway. Around noon we began to search for a good place to explore. It was a little more challenging to find a good place to stop between Port Author and Galveston due to the amount of barge traffic and the limited access to the wetlands. We finally settled on a spot and gave it a try, and what a magnificent place it turned out to be. The group paddled up a small bayou and found a ramp that led to a shallow lake. They spent several hours exploring the area and enjoying the sights. When everyone had returned and everything was secured, we resumed our cruise down the ICW to the Galveston Yacht Basin where we anchored for the night. The cards and games came out in the salon and the party was on. Day 4: Although the fog came in for the night it had lifted by early morning. We cranked the engines and took a tour of the Galveston Channel, then set out for the east tip of the island. We anchored just off the beach, not far from the jetties. The kayaks and dingies were loaded and the beach excursion began. When everyone had had enough sun and sand they made their way back to the boat, and we headed out into the bay. We found a nice calm area on the East side of Galveston bay, just behind Bolivar Peninsula, and anchored for the night. Movies on the sundeck, cards in the salon, and truth stretching throughout the boat. It was a good night. Day 5: We left the bay at 6:00am and made our way towards Alligator Point, where the group intended to plant 300 Mangroves. At 9:00 we arrived, secured the Fling between two of the moorings, and delivered the group to shore in the dingies to do their civic duty. It was hard work, but they managed to get all 300 plants buried in the marsh. When the job was completed we reloaded everyone, pointed toward Freeport and headed home. An outstanding group of dedicated teachers and the guidance of the Gulf of Mexico Foundation personnel made for a really enjoyable and beneficial week. I’ve been on a lot of trips on the Fling. This had to be one of the best. Captain Bland MV Fling .

Thursday, March 17, 2011

MV Fling Trip Report: March 12-13, 2011 We left the dock Friday night headed to the West Bank with 22 divers and a challenging forecast. As we left the protection of the jetties, we braced for the wrath of the Gulf and were surprised to find the water relatively smooth. About two hours into our trip we were relaxing and enjoying the good conditions; then it hit the proverbial fan. We rocked and rolled for the next six hours, but were fortunate to arrive on West Bank buoy #5 with the wind and seas lined up nicely, so the boat was pretty stable on the mooring. As we settled in the sea began to fall and the swells became longer making the ride smoother. We made our first of two dives about 7:30am and jumped right into a big school of hammerheads. Divers also saw a couple of bit tiger sharks, some reef sharks, a friendly manta that was willing to pose for the camera, black groupers, amber jack, and barracuda. Water temperature was 66 degrees, current was mild, and visibility was around 80 feet. After the second dive we decided to try our luck on the High Island 376A platform. At the platform, seas were running about four feet, water temperature 66 degrees, and visibility around 80 feet, with very little current. The platform was completely full of silky sharks. They were literally everywhere. We even saw a few around the boat. There were also lots of game fish and tropical fish. It was a great dive. We left the 376A and cruised to East Bank buoy #5. Conditions were about the same there. Divers saw mantas, several different types of sharks and many different types of marine life. The night dive was a cold one, but everyone that went said they really enjoyed it. Sunday morning we made our way to Stetson Bank. Seas were 4’, visibility around 60 feet, current was mild, and the water temperature was 64 degrees. Divers saw hammerheads, a nurse shark, string rays, eels, and lobsters, one of which was almost as big as some of our divers. Diving at Stetson is just always good. We headed back to Freeport at noon with a following sea, making the ride home super smooth. Another extremely good trip. Captain Bland MV Fling .

Monday, February 21, 2011

Trip Report February 19-20, 2011 The last few years February trips have been few and far between, but we had a bit of a weather window and decided to give it a try. The forecast wasn’t too good early in the week but improved by Friday morning. Predictions were 3 to 6 foot seas on our way out Friday night, 3 to 5 feet all day Saturday, and 3 to 6 feet and building on Sunday. Fortunately the seas stayed on the low side of the forecast for most of the trip. We left Freeport Friday evening with 17 passengers, 5 stowaways (including Admiral Ken and his son Dale), and 7 crew. We braced ourselves for a rough ride out to the West Bank, but the eight and a half hour ride was remarkably smooth. We arrived on the West Bank and moored on buoy #1 around 6:15am, and after a short wait on the sun, started our first dive about 7:20. Seas at the West Bank were 2 to 3 feet, visibility around 60 feet, water temperature on the reef 63 degrees, and a fairly strong current. Divers saw a nurse shark, a couple of tiger sharks, and various other critters. The biggest tiger shark was 8 to 14 feet long…depending on the teller of the tale. After two dives on the West Bank we headed to the High Island 389 platform. By the time we got to the 389 the sun was bright and warm, the wind was light, and the seas had fallen to about 2 feet. It was just a gorgeous day. Current on the platform was considerably less than on the West Bank, with a surface temperature of 64 degrees and about 50 foot visibility. Divers saw numerous silky sharks, schools of large amber jack barracuda, tons of fish of all sizes, and many different types of smaller life in the growth of the platform’s structure. Our divemaster even lead three silkys back to the boat for those of us who are too wimpy to get in the cold water to enjoy…thanks John! Every diver described the dive the same way – AWSOME! At 3:30pm we moved to the East Bank and tied up on Buoy #5. Conditions were about the same as they were on the 389. Lots of the folks on board took advantage of the surface interval to enjoy the great weather on the sundeck. I would guess some sunburn remedies are being used about now. Quite a nice change from the freezing weather most of us experienced recently. Around 5:30 divers descended to find some very large sting rays, several mantas, a tiger shark, reef sharks, and a number of hammerheads. At 8:30, the bravest of the divers did a night dive and reported that it was great. They saw reef sharks, sting rays, and large schools of barracuda. By the time the night dive was finished, seas were around 1 foot. We left the East Bank at 2:00am Sunday morning headed to Stetson Bank, and arrived at buoy #3 at 6:15. By the first dive the wind had picked up and the sea had increased to 4-5 feet. Current was mild, visibility around 30 feet, and water temperature 64 degrees. We did two dives at Stetson, and although visibility was lower than normal, divers saw reef sharks, mackerel, red snapper, morays, large angle fish, lots of urchins, and a variety of large schools of fish. At noon we pointed the bow to Freeport and started home with a following sea, so we had a nice smooth ride back. Thanks again to a top notch crew and great customers for a great weekend. Captain Bland MV Fling

Monday, October 04, 2010

Trip Report: Texas A&M Lion Fish Research trip We left the dock in Freeport Thursday afternoon headed to Sonnier Bank with eight researchers, who were looking for Lion fish. Earlier in the summer a Lion fish had been spotted there and killed. It was only a matter of time before they made their way to into the Gulf. Lion fish are really pretty fish, and interesting to watch and photograph. Unfortunately, they have a big appetite and have no natural predators in the Gulf, making them very destructive to the reefs. Their migration to the reefs has been a concern for several years, and is now a reality. We made the 160 mile trip to Sonnier with a following sea which made for a smooth trip. About 8 am divers began to explore the North site. They found tons of fish, Silky sharks, Sand sharks, and even a hammerhead. After a second dive, we moved to the South site. While exploring the South site, two Lion fish were spotted. One was collected and one escaped into a hole. On the next dive that hole was surrounded by Lynne Wetmore and her crew, and the second lion fish had no chance. Saturday morning we took off to check surrounding platforms to see if any evidence of Lion fish could be found. After a day of searching none were spotted. Saturday afternoon we headed to Stetson bank hoping to do a couple of dives on the wall. We arrived on Stetson around 2am as the wind and sea began to increase. A little after 7 am, Lynne decided the conditions were marginal for diving and their mission had been accomplished, so we headed home. After a long stint working in the BP oil spill in Alabama and Mississippi, it was good get back to diving in the Gulf. Thanks to an outstanding crew, and a great group of researchers we had a super trip. The next dive season is right around the corner. Hope each of you will join us at the Flower Gardens. Captain - Bland Ellen

Monday, May 24, 2010

MV Fling Trip Report May 22-23 Well, after a long windy spell the weather finally cooperated and we were able to head to the Flower Gardens Friday night with 30 excited divers. The ride out was a little rocky at times but pretty good for the most part. Tied to West Bank #5 about 6am Saturday and started the dive day. Sea was about 3 feet, visibility around 60 feet, and the current was mild. The surface water temperature was 79 degrees and bottom temperatures were between 74 and 76 degrees at all of the sites we visited. Divers saw sting rays, barracuda, amber jack, large grouper, and a variety of other fish and sea life. At lunch we moved to the High Island 376A platform and our divers jumped in around 2:00pm. Sea had calmed to about 2 feet, visibility 70 feet, current was moderate to around 30 feet then mild to 100 feet. There were a number of silky sharks, a huge turtle, giant amber jack, and large schools of fish on the platform. The weather was nice and we were hanging just right, so we stayed a bit longer and let our crew enjoy the site. We left the platform about 4:30pm and made our way to the East Bank where we found only one usable buoy; #3. Seas were running 2-3 feet, visibility around 70 feet, current was moderate on the surface and mild on the bottom. Divers found trigger fish, grouper, slipper lobsters, crabs, shrimp and eels. The night dive at this site was a very good one. About 2:00am on Sunday morning we moved to Stetson Bank and tied up to buoy #3 at 6:00am on the dot. The wind was beginning to blow a little harder and the see built to 4-5 feet. Current was a bit stiff on the surface but pretty mild on the bottom. We had a great group of divers that managed the more challenging conditions well and made it look easy. Divers saw big lobsters, lots of eels, several sting rays, sea cucumbers, urchins, large schools of fish, and even a scalloped hammerhead that forgot to leave with the rest of his buddies. Overall it was a great trip. And the best news was that there was no sign of oil at the Flower Gardens. We hope it stays that way!! Another great group of divers and good crew. I must be the luckiest captain in the Gulf. Captain Bland

Thursday, April 01, 2010

Bland Ellen Trip Report: March 26-27 Left Freeport Friday night with a light North wind and a following sea and had a pretty decent ride to the West Flower Gardens Bank. We tied up on buoy #1 about 6:00 am Saturday in a four foot sea. The water temperature was 62 degrees, a little cooler than last week, about 50 foot visibility and the current was mild. During our two dives on West Bank, divers saw eels, barracuda, parrot fish, lots of amber jack, some large grouper, and a turtle. Headed to the High Island 389 platform at lunch, and arrived to find nearly the same conditions except the current had started to pick up some. Divers saw big schools of amber jack, yellow fin tuna, barracuda, and a few silky sharks. The 389 is always a great dive. Moved to the East Bank #3 mooring Saturday afternoon and found the water temperature and visibility virtually the same as the other two sites we had been to, but the sea was falling and the current was picking up. By the night dive we were diving in about two foot waves. Divers saw silky sharks, a manta, urchins, parrot fish, shrimp, and crabs, and the first timers found out what current was all about. Even though the current was running strong, the divers did their dives and made it back to the boat with no problems. Sunday morning we woke up on Stetson Bank #3, with a forecast of six foot to eight foot seas by noon. We all hoped the weather man would be wrong, but unfortunately he got that one right. We did get in our two dives though. Sea was about four feet, water temperature was 61 degrees, visibility about 40 feet, and not too much current. After the second dive was headed home. As forecast, the sea continued to build and the ride home was sporting to say the least. Some of our passengers enjoyed the wild ride while others filled their trash bags with fajitas they had eaten earlier. Even though we had a rough ride home it was a good trip, and those who had never seen the Gulf get angry will have stories to tell. Captain Bland

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Left the dock Wednesday night with a good forecast, and for once the weatherman was right. One foot seas and a Northwest wind made the ride out to West Bank a smooth one. Tied up on West Bank #1 about 6:00 a.m.. Although it was a beautiful day topside, the current below was very strong. Even so, the divers did a great job getting to the bottom and back to the boat. Visibility was about 50’ and water temperature around 67 degrees. Divers saw silky sharks, hammerheads, parrot fish, barracuda, mackerel, and huge amberjacks. As soon as all divers returned from their second dive on West Bank we headed for the High Island 389 platform. We tied up to the High Island 389 platform in two foot seas. Visibility was about 50’, water temperature 67, and we were all thankful that there was very little current. The platform was literally covered with silky sharks, amberjack, and tons of other critters. It was a great dive. Headed to the East Bank about 3:00 and found water conditions about the same as on the 389. Divers saw large hammerheads, mantas, an eagle ray, silkys, and a couple of tiger sharks, one was a big one. After playing with the tiger sharks on the evening dive, we decided that it would be safer to skip the night dive and go straight to the Blue Bell and brownies. Arrived at Stetson Bank Friday morning and found two foot seas, 66 degree water temperature, 40’ visibility and very little current. Divers saw hammerheads, a large sandbar shark, a tiger shark, a couple of bull sharks, eels, and an octopus. By the time our last dive was done the wind had changes to the Southeast and blew us home with an extremely smooth ride. Good weather, good divers, good diving, good crew…not a bad trip to be captain. Captain Bland

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

The passengers loaded the MV Fling around 8PM after the DM Kenny & John gave a boarding briefing and the 22 sole ran for choice cabin bunks. After all their gear was loaded onto the vessel we all gathered in the salon for the Captains briefing. Captain (Admiral)Ken Bush did the honors as he graced us with his knowledge and wit on the voyage. DM's Kenny & John gave detailed instructions as to the duties of each diver as they work towards their dive in the moring. Dave & Frank were the galley professionals that were sure to keep us well fed on the venture and explained in colorful detail how to proceed throught he chow line. Many on this trip were here for the first time & had not a clue what to expect. Sarah our Tankfiller was randy & handy to pass our our chuck containment devices(trash bags) as she told the divers how they should leave their tank so they would have gas for the next dive. Captain Bud topped off the evening with his charm by instructing us on life preservers and other rules we must follow on the boat at sea. Captain Darrel readied the vessel for departure.Enginenes rev-ed up and screws turned & we were moving down the old river headed for a 8 hour voyage to the west bank of the Flower Garden Marine Sanctuary. As the bow of the Fling pulled passed the jetty's the rocking of the sea took its tole on some of our land dwelling passengers. We had a frist then a second then it was a race to see who would not sub-come to the yawning & pitching of the sea. The passengers finally settled into the waves for the night and as morning came most sprained up like gofers from the salon seats where they had found a place to rest for the night. We pulled up to the mooring #1 at the west bank and DM's John & Kenny set the boat up for diving. With the divers ready John gave a briefing of the conditions and the water games begun. The vis was not great on the west bank but it was around 50ft or so. The greatest challenge to the divers was their ability to get suited up to get into the water and the next challenge was getting on the ladder. With sea's that crest waves at 6 feet getting back on the boat was a challenge. The second dive was at the same mooring location and ever one had a better time with the ladder. No large sharks were spotted or any ray's. We pulled up to try out hand at a oil platform but the ses's would not give us any help. We abandon that idea and went for the East Bank where to our surpirse we had no moorings to tie to. A bit disapointing to Captain Ken but quire expected. We moved over to Stetson Bank to catch a mooring there. We tied up a bit late in the day & Kenny did a conditions dive and tied up the sideline. A pod of dophins were playing around & Kenny reported he saw 4 of them while he was securing the line. As he went deeper to the U bot there were Red Sanpper & Amber Jacks in large quanity. Vis was might poor only around 15 to 20 feet. Captain Bud & Captain Ken called off the night dive and most all passengers were in their bunks by 9PM. The next morning the passengers woke up with a strong smell of coffee & the smell of the sea. Kenny tied off the down line & reported 4 reef sharks and 1 sand bar shark. Some blue runner jacks were all around the vessel and spinner sharks tweisted out of the water. The divers reported that the vis was still bad but up to 20 feet with lots of small fish and huge Amber jacks but only one couple saw sharks. With trailing sea's the ride home was much more to the liking of the land dwelling passengers. We got to the sea buoy with Captain Ken at the wheel as Captain Bud finished the final instructions to the passengers. Shirts & pins were bought & sold by galley staff and we were back at the dock around 5PM.

Monday, February 22, 2010

For the first time in several years we were able to make a February trip to the Flower Gardens. We left Freeport Friday night with 17 top notch divers and 8 crew that were wondering if we had made the right decision. The ride out was a bit of a challenge with six foot seas on the bow, but we arrived at the West Flower Gardens Bank about 7:30 Saturday morning and did two dives on buoy #1 with no problems. Seas were running 5-6 feet, water temperature 66 degrees, visibility around 75 feet, and very little current. Divers saw hammerhead sharks, silky sharks, spinner sharks, big grouper, lobsters, eels, barracuda, and a school of eight eagle rays (pretty incredible). We headed to the East Bank after lunch, but the closer we got the bigger the seas got. Five miles from East Bank seas built to around eight fieet, so we decided to turn around and head to Stetson hoping for better conditions. We arrived at Stetson and tied up to buoy #2 around 5:00 in the afternoon and found much better conditions. Amazing what a difference 35 miles can make. Seas were 4 -5 feet, current was very mild, water temperature 65 degress, and visibility around 50 feet. Divers found hammerheads, silkys bull sharks, lobsters, eels, eagle rays, sting rays, and lots of other critters. Although I got cold just thinking about it, five of the hard core divers made a night dive and saw lots of cool things. Around 6:20 Sunday morning we relocated to Stetson Buoy #4 and did two more dives. Seas were running around 3 feet, current was still mild, water temperature 65 degrees, and the visibility had improved a bit to around 60 feet. Divers encountered lots of hammerheads, a large sandbar shark, silkys, a manta, several eagle rays, eels and sail fin blennnies. Conditions continued to improve as the day went. Following seas running 2-3 feet made for a great (and very smooth) ride home. Thanks to a great group of divers and a hard working crew we had a great trip!!!! Looking forward to the next one. Captain Bland

Monday, September 28, 2009

We were looking at a bumpy ride going out on Friday night, Sept. 25, but the seas calm down mid-morning on Saturday, Sept 26. On the West Bank buoy #1 the seas were running around 3ft, mild current, water temp 84 and vis 100. There was a Manta, hugh grouper and a barracuda to keep the divers company. At HI-389 the seas were still running between 2ft - 3ft, a mild current, water temp 84 and vis 100. There were lots of fish on the rig, with a juvenile lobster and a octopus. On the East Bank buoy #4 the seas were around 2ft, mild current, water temp 84 and vis 100. We had another manta, grouper, shrimp and an urchins on this dive. Stetson Bank buoy #3 seas were down to 1ft to 2ft, mild current, water temp 84 and vis 70. There were schools of fish, sharks, eels, and lobster to keep the divers company. All in all everyone had a great time.

Monday, September 21, 2009

We had a small group go out this weekend, 9/19-20, but they had great weather. The seas were running between 1ft to 2ft, with a very light current on the West and East Banks and flat on Stetson with no current. The vis was 100ft on all banks with the water temp 84 to 85. On the West Bank we had a nurse shark, barracuda, uchins, grouper; on the East Bank we had jacks, grouper, eel, lobster, uchins; at HI-389 amberjacks; and at Stetson Bank a large school of fish, African Pompano, silky shark, eels, a turtle, and a sand bar shark. All in all a great trip.

Monday, September 14, 2009

This was the second Coral Spawn trip this year and depending on who you asked - the second spawn was bigger then the first. The weather was a little bumpy but we had a very good spawn on Friday night. On the West Bank #1 the seas were running around 1ft, a very mild current, water temp 84, and vis 100. There were jacks, barracuda, grouper, and bandid shrimp on the West Bank. On HI-389 seas were running around 2ft, a very mild current, water temp 84 and vis 100. There was a very large school of jacks, shark, and lots of fish. The the East Bank #5 the seas were running between 2ft to 4ft during the thunderstorms, no current, temp 84 and vis 100. The divers were treated to a very good spawn on the night, eels, puffers, jacks and brittle stars. On the East Bank #1 seas were running between 4ft to 5ft with rain, a very mild current, temp 85, and vis 100. There were lots of schooling fish, manta, big grouper, jacks, eels, and shrimp. On buoy #5 seas had pick up to 5ft to 6ft, a mild current, temp 85, vis 100 and once again another good spawn on Saturday night, with nurse shark, manta, and a octopus. At Stetson Bank #3 seas were still running 4ft to 5ft, a mild current, temp 84 and vis 75. There were eels, a shark, turtle, ray, puffers, angles, and scoprion fish.

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

What a great Labor Day weekend trip. The weather, except for the few rain showers, the currents, the seas and vis all work together to make this trip a good one. On buoy #4 on the West Bank the seas were running between 1ft to 2ft, a mild current, water temp 84 and vis 80. We had eels, manta's, barracuda, and grouper on this bank. At HI-389 the seas were around 1ft, with a very mild current, water temp 84 and vis 80. There was a big school of fish, shark, barracuda, and manta hanging around the rig. At the East Bank on #5 and #1 the seas ran from 0ft - 1ft to 1ft - 2ft and 3ft during the rain. The current was light during the day with a moderate current during the night, vis 80, and water temp 84. The divers had alot of subjects for picture taking - grouper, jacks, rays, shrimp, urchins, barracuda, and lots of fish. On HI-376A we had a mild current, seas 1ft - 3ft in the rain, vis 80 and water temp 84. Visiting this rig we had a turtle, sharks, barracuda, and lots of fish. On Stetson Bank #3 & #1 the seas were running around 1ft to 2ft, vis 100, water temp 85 and a mild current to no current. We had a turtle, sharks, eels, rays, scorpion fish, and a octopus. All and all a great trip.

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

The weekend trip, August 29 - 30, was a good one. On the West Bank with seas were running around 2ft, a mild current, vis 80, water temp 84 and a few thunder storms between dives. The divers were treated to a Manta, turtle, eel, ray, and a grouper on Buoy #1. On HI-389 the seas were around 2ft, vis 70, a mild current and water temp 84. There were schools of fish and a shark hanging out on the rig. On East Bank buoy #4 the seas were around 2ft, a mild current, vis 100, and water temp 84. There was a manta, shark, turtle and barracuda for the divers to enjoy. The seas pick up a little at Stetson Bank #1 to 3ft, a mild current, vis 80 and water temp 84. There was plenty of marine life to be seem by all - nurse shark, silkys, turtle, rays, eels, urchins and squid.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

We had a GREAT IGE trip this year with great weather and a great bunch of divers. On the West Bank buoy #1 the seas were running around 1ft, a very light current, vis 100 and water temp 84. The divers had the company of a large grouper, manta, jacks, and barracuda on this buoy. At HI-376A the conditions were the same with sharks, a turtle, and lots of fish. On the East Bank with seas pick up a little to 2ft, a light current, vis 100 and water temp 84. There were 2 mantas, silkys, nurseshark, and a grouper hanging out on buoy #1. On HI-389 there were hammerheads, silkys, a turtle, jacks, and a barracuda cruising the rig. Once again the divers hit the jackpot on Stetson Bank - the seas were running between 1ft - 2ft, vis 100, a light current, and water temp 84. The divers had a lot company - bullshark, silkys, turtle, octopus, eels, urchins, rays, large angles, and flying grenards. What a great 3 day trip.

Monday, August 24, 2009

The weekend trip, August 22 -23, we had a full boat with groups from Lone Scuba Scuba, Scubaland, and Seasport Scuba. On the West Bank #1 the seas were running between 2ft to 3ft, a mild current, vis 80 and water temp 83. The divers saw a manta, grouper, jacks, and nurse shark. At HI-389 the seas were around 3ft, a mild current, vis 100 and water temp 83. We had a turtle, crabs, bristle worms, and a barracuda ranging out on the rig. At buoy #5 on the East Bank the seas started out between 3ft to 4ft but subsiding to 2ft during the dives. There was a moderate current, vis 100 and water temp 84. The divers enjoyed the company of eels, a turtle, urchins, shrimp and a shark at this buoy. On Stetson Bank #3 the seas were running around 1ft, a very light current, vis 100 and water temp 84. The divers found eels, a shark, and rays on this buoy. All in all every one had a great trip.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

The Thursday/Friday trip, August 20 -21, the seas pick up from the Monday/Wednesday trip and they were running between 3ft to 4ft for the entire trip. On the West Bank Buoy #2 there was a mild current, vis 80 and water temp 84. The divers enjoyed the company of a big grouper, sting rays, barracuda, and a eel on this trip. At HI-389 we had a mild current, vis 100 and water temp 83. The usual critters were on the rig again - a turtle, shark, jacks, and lots of fish. At West Bank #4 the current pick up a little, vis 80, and water temp 83. The divers were treated to a manta, shark, turtle, urchins and shrimp. At Stetson Bank #3 the vis was down to around 80 ft due to the rain, a moderate current and water temp 83. The divers were visited by stingrays, eels, sharks, trunkfish and large queen angels. All in all a good trip.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Well, the group from The Dive Shop II in Little Rock had the weather gods on their side for their 3 day trip this week. Doreen stated that this was their 6 or 7 trip out to the Flower Gardens and it was the best ever. On the West Bank buoy #1 the seas were running between 2ft and 3ft, with no current, vis 80 and water temp 83. There was a free swimming eel, large grouper, a shark and a manta on this buoy. At HI -376A the seas were running around 2ft, with a light current, vis 80, and water temp 83. The divers were treated to a lots of fish, sharks, and a turtle on this dive. On the East Bank buoy #5 seas were 2ft, light current, vis 80 and water temp 83. Once again the divers were diving with a manta, sting ray, and sharks. At buoy #1 on the East Bank we had more mantas, shark, eels, shrimp, and urchins. At HI-389 the seas were running between 2ft and 3ft, with a light current, vis 100 and water temp 82. There was a large schools of fish hanging out on the rig, sharks, a turtle, barracuda and fireworms. The divers were visited by the big boys on Stetson #3 & #4; a turtle, eels, bull sharks, rays, silkys, trunk fish, octopus, and a scorpion fish. All in all a great trip for everyone.

Monday, August 17, 2009

What a awesome weekend trip. The seas were around 1ft all weekend, with no current, vis 80ft to 100ft and water temp 83. On the West Bank the divers were diving with a big black grouper, a juvinille spotted drum, lobsters, and lots of creole fish. At HI-389 there was a turtle, shark, jacks, grouper and a manta. At the East Bank there were still some spawning from the brain coral, 2 dusky sharks and heart urchin. At Stetson Bank there was a very huge sandbar shark around 7ft, golden spotted eel, spotted morray sharing a hole with a slipper lobster, dusky shark, 2 squid, southern ray, spotted drum juvilille trunk fish

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Everyone had a fantastic trip on the week only Coral Spawning Trip, August 10th - 14th. There were two good nights of spawning, Wednesday & Thursday. The seas were flat most of the trip with 2ft to 3ft on the first day, current was mild to no current, water temp 83 and vis 100. On the West Bank #2 & #4 there were manta's ealge rays, sharks, big grouper, turtle, and spawning sponge. We did a good rig, HI-385D, and everyone that did the dive agree that t was a great dive - there were sharks, juvenile lobsters, and lots of fish. At the East Bank #1 there were more Mantas, sharks, a turtle, spawning sponge, huge grouper. We try to do another rig dive but the weather was to good with nothing it keep us off they rig and we were unable to do it. At Buoy #3 & #4 on the East Bank Mantas were everywhere, nurse shark, reef sharks, lots of fish, and a very good spawn on the night dive. On buoy #6 on the East Bank there were lots of fish, sharks, and mantas again. On buoy #3 at Stetson Bank the divers were treated to eels, lots of schools of fish, sharks, big lobster, and sting rays. All in all a wonderful trip.

Monday, August 10, 2009

The weekend trip, August 8 - 9, 2009 had seas running 2ft to 3ft, with a light to no current, vis 100 and water temp 83. On the West Bank buoy #2 there were sting ray, grouper, shark, and a manta. At the rig HI-389 the divers had a turtle, shark, barracuda, and lots of fish to enjoy. On East Bank #5 the divers were treated to a manta, shark, trigger fish, and a trunk fish. At Stetson Bank on buoy #3 we had french angles, eels, sting rays, eagle rays and sharks. All in all a great trip with great divers.

Saturday, August 08, 2009

On the Thursday/Friday trip, August 6 - 7, 2009 the seas were flat, current was light to no current at all, vis was 100 and water temp 83. We were unable to do a rig dive on this trip because the conditions were so good. There was no wind or current to help keep us off the rig. On the West Bank buoy #2 there were mantas, large grouper, barracuda, East Bank buoy #1 grouper, puffers, filefish, shark, trunk fish, and a manta, on East Bank #5 Mantas, devil ray, urchins shrimp, and on Stetson Bank #3 sharks, rays, eagle ray, lobster, lots of hugh schools of fish and eels. What a great trip.

Thursday, August 06, 2009

On the 3 day trip, Monday/Wednesday, the seas were running between 1ft to 2ft. The current was light, vis between 80ft & 100ft, and the water temp 83 on all banks. On the West Bank #2 we had sharks, Manta, grouper file fish; at HI-389 we had silky sharks, a hammerhead, and lots of fish; at buoy #5 on the East Bank we had more sharks, starfish, blackjacks, baracudas, and at Stetson Bank #3 & #5 sharks, rays, eels and yes the seahorses are still on Stetson.

Monday, August 03, 2009

The weekend trip, 8/1 - 8/2/09, was a great trip. The seas were running between 3ft - 4ft on the West Bank with a light current, vis 100, and water temp 83. The divers were visisted by barraacuda, sharks, jacks, and a large grouper. On HI-389 the current was still light, vis 100, water temp 83 and seas were still running 3ft to 4ft. The comment made by the divers was "fish everywhere". On the East buoy #5 we had 3 manta's, sharks, crabs, and urchins. The seas were around 3ft, a light current, vis 100, and water temp 83. On Stetson Bank Buoy #3 there was no current, vis 80, water temp 83 and seas running between 2ft & 3ft. The divers had rays, sharks, lobsters, schools of jacks, and eels.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

We had 3 different groups for the Monday/Wednesday trip. We had a group from Florida with Diver's Emporium, a group from Louisana with Dixieland Diver's and a new group from Oklahoma with Tulsa Aquanauts and they all had a great time. The weather forecast was way off and the seas were from 3ft to 6ft on Sunday but we didn't miss a dive. On West #5 the current was very strong, vis 80ft and water temp 82. The divers were treated to a Manta, Nurse shark, eels, and a grouper. At HI-389 the current was still very strong, vis 100ft, water temp 83 and a very large schools of fish and barracuda. At East Bank #5 the current was still strong, vis 80ft and water temp 83. We moved the Fling to Stetson earlier than normal to get away from the strong current. On buoy #5 the current was light, vis 100, and water temp 83. The seashorses were still on Stetson Bank with turtle, sharks, eels, rays, slipper lobsters, and school of spade fish.

Monday, July 27, 2009

The divers for the Stetson Only trip couldn't have asked for better weather. The seas were running between 1ft to 2ft all weekend, with a mild to no current on all dives, vis 100ft and water temp between 81 and 83. It seems like all the usually critters came out to play - sharks, rays, eels, big grouper, swimming eels, 12ft shark, scorpion fish, turtle, lobster, urchins many huge schools of fish, large sandbar shark, silkys, angel fishs and not 1 but 2 SEAHORSES. All in all a great trip.

Friday, July 24, 2009

The current was back on the West Bank for this two day trip. We had a very strong current, with seas 3ft to 4ft, vis 100+ and water temp 83. The divers saw a black grouper, trigger fish, and a eel on this dive at buoy #1. On HI-389 there was a big improvement in the sea conditions. The seas were running between 1ft to 2ft, a light current, vis 100 and water temp 84. Once again there were sharks on the rig, with filefish, jacks and barracudas. At East Bank buoy #1 there conditions were the same as the rig and there were sharks, Manta, and large puffers on this dive. On Stetson Bank buoy #4 the conditions were still good and about the same as the rig and East but the divers were treated to a real surprise - a seahorse was on Stetson. The divers were also visited by sharks, rays, and a turtle.

Monday, July 20, 2009

We had a full boat for the weekend trip, July 18 - 19, with great weather. On the West Bank the seas were running around 2ft, vis 75, and water temp 82. There were amberjacks, snapper, stingray, shark and Manta to keep the divers company on their dive. On HI-389 the current was very mild, vis 75, and water temp 82. The divers were treated to a Hammerhead, turtle, and other sharks on their third dive. The East Bank was a real treat for everyone. A Manta was spotted on the surface and one of the divemaster and a couple of the divers spotted another Manta with a wingspan of 12 feet or bigger. On Stetson Bank the current was mild, water temp 84 and vis down to about 50feet. There were a lot of sharks, lobster, and a morray eel and the ubolt.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

We had a group from Louisana and California on the Thursday/Friday and they all had a great time. On the West Bank Buoy #2 the seas were running around 2ft, there was a moderate surface current and a mild bottom, vis 100, and water temp 83. There were silky sharks, barracuda, jacks and nurse sharks to keep the divers company on this dive. On HI - 389 the seas were running between 2ft and 3ft, vis 100, water temp 83, and a mild current. There were fish eveywhere on the rig, with a barracuda, and a turtle. At buoy #4 on the East Bank the seas were running around 2ft, with a mild current, vis 100 and water temp 83. The photographers had their cameras ready for the hugh grouper, sharks, mantas, urchins, shrimp, and trigger fish. At Stetson Bank on buoy #3 the seas were running between 2ft - 3ft, vis 100, water temp 82 and a very mild current. There were sharks, ling, file fish and spade fish all hanging out for the divers to enjoy.

Monday, July 13, 2009

We were hoping that some of the whale sharks were still hanging out on the West Bank and they were. On buoy #2 seas were running between 2ft & 3ft, with a strong surface current & a mild bottom, vis 100, and water temp 83. The divers were treated to 4 whale sharks, barracuda, eels, and jacks. On HI-389 there was a moderate current, seas around 2ft, vis 100, and water temp 82. There were lots of fish, turtles, sharks, and dolphin to be seem by all. On the East Bank buoy #5 seas were running 2ft, mild current, vis 100 and water temp 83. The divers were treated to sharks, manta, shrimp, eels, crabs, and lobster. On Stetson Bank buoy #1 there were dolphins, sharks, rays, eels, lobster, a mild current, vis 100, water temp 83, and seas running around 1ft to 2ft - what a great dive.

Monday, July 13, 2009

The Teacher's couldn't had asked for better weather and sea's for their 3 day trip. On the West Bank seas were running 2ft, a strong current strong and a moderate bottom current, vis 100+ and water temp 82. They were visited by puffers, jacks, barrcuda, and a big grouper. At HI-389 sea's were still around 2ft, vis 100+, and water temp 84. There were the usual critters on the rig. At buoy #5 & #1 on the East Bank the Manta's, rays, eels,. barracuda and turtle came out to play. The sea's still running 2ft, a mild current, and water temp 83. HI-376B the seas pick up little - 3ft, a mild current, water temp 83, and vis 100. There were a large schools of school, turtle, and sharks hanging out on the rig. On Stetson Bank buoy #3 & #1 were was no current, seas 3ft, vis 100 and water temp 82. The divers enjoyed the sharks, eels, cobia, french angles, lots of large schools of fish, rays, and scorpion fish. All in all a great trip.

Friday, July 10, 2009

There was a very small group for this trip and a brand new store - Scuba Ventures from Al. and what a trip they had. One of the divers from Sucba Ventures asked Captain Bland what is the percentage of seeing a whale shark and he told her about 1% - boy was he wrong. On the West Bank buoy #2 we had a moderate current, vis 100+ and water temp 83. The divers were amazed by Manta, barracuda, jacks, eels, whale shark and 2 miles off the West Bank "22" whale sharks. At HI-389 the seas were running between 2ft to 3ft, current mild, vis 100+ and water temp 83. On the East Bank buoy #5 seas were running around 2ft, with a mild current, vis 90 and water temp 83. The divers were visited by octopus, turtle, eels, shark, urchins, black jack, and manta. Stetson Bank there was no current, seas around 2ft, vis 100, and water temp 83. The rays, eels, lobsters, scorpion fish, and sharks all came out to have their pictures taken.

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Our Monday/Wednesday trip, July 6 - 9, 2009 was a full boat. The seas were running between 3ft and 4ft for the entire trip. On the West Bank buoy #1 there was a strong current, vis 100+, and water temp 82. The divers saw sharks, manta's, dog snappers, and AJ. At HI-389 the current was moderate, vis 100, and water temp 83. There were lots of fish on the rig, with shark and a turtle. On the East Bank #5 & #1 vis was still around 100ft and water temp 83. The East Bank had sharks, turtle, rays, lobster, grouper, barracuda, mantas, jacks, angel fish, and eels. On HI-376 there was a mild current, vis 100, and water temp 83 with 3 turtles, silky sharks, and lots of fish. Stetson Bank was still the favorite with a mild to moderate current, vis 100, and water temp 82. The divers was visited by rays, sharks, lobster, octopus, squid, urchins, eels, sailfin blennys, and brown chromis. All in all a good trip.

Monday, July 06, 2009

Well, the forecast for this weekend trip was off - instead of the 1ft to 2ft seas that they were calling for - we had 3ft to 4ft on Saturday and 4ft to 6ft on Sunday. On West Bank #1 we had a mild current, vis 100ft, water temp 83 and a big grouper, shark, eel, parrott fish and puffers. On HI 389 the vis was 100ft, water temp 83 and a mild current. There was a large school of jacks, barracuda, crabs and lots of fish. At East Bank #4 the seas were around 2ft to 3ft, mild current, vis 90 and water temp 83. The divers were visited by tiger grouper, turtle, eels, shrimp and a big barracuda on this dive. On Stetson Buoy #3 we had a moderate current, vis 70ft, water temp 84 and a turtle, eels, big lobster, and rays.

Monday, June 29, 2009

The current was back for this weekend trip. The seas were running around 3ft on Saturday, vis around 70ft, and water temp near 79. On the West Bank buoy #1 the divers were treated to an octopus, jacks, grouper and a barracuda. At HI-389 there were a lots of game fish and tripical fish. At the East Bank buoy #5 silky sharks, octopus, eagle ray, and turtle all made an appearance for anyone wanting to take their picture. On Sunday, at Stetson Bank the seas were down to 1ft - 2ft with a mild bottom current and vis 100+. The ususal critters were hanging out on buoy #3 - rays, lobster, turtle, eels and sharks. All and all a good trip.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Another great weather trip, Thursday/Friday, June 24th - 25th, 2009. The seas were running 1ft to 2ft all trip, with water temp near 80, moderate current and with the vis around 80 ft on the West and East Bank and around 60ft on Stetson Bank. On buoy #5 on the West Bank we had our usual critters, eels, nurseshark, and lots of jacks. On the East Bank the divers were treated to Starfish, Manta's, eels, shark, shrimp, crabs, and urchins. On buoy #3 on Stetson Bank there were large silky sharks, rays, eels, turtle, scorpion fish, large lobster urchins and a hammerhead. Don't miss out on the great weather and diving call your dive shop now and book a trip.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

FLOWER GARDENS TRIP REPORT (June 25, 2009) WHAT TO EXPECT: In a nutshell, the Flower Gardens is a protected National Marine Sanctuary located about 130 miles off shore. Trips are 2-3 days allowing 7-11 dives respectively. You'll dive on all 3 banks...East, West and Stetson. You'll also get to dive on a platform which might be the coolest thing ever. You get a comfortable bunk and the galley will keep you well fed. Its not resort style diving; its a little more adventurous! The folks at LOCAL DIVESHOP can tell you more about diving on the Fling and what specialties you might want to take before your trip to the Flower Gardens. VIZ: Earlier this season there was some algae and plankton bloom as well as some mixed temps that compromised the viz. It seems like in the last 2 weeks that has started to clear up. Its not 100% just yet, but you can see 100 ft vertically and 85 feet horizontal on the East & West Banks. On the platforms, there are more layers of murkiness, but the viz below 65 is great. At Stetson Bank, there is more flow so the viz is still limited. All week it has been milky at the surface and then opening up to 50-60 feet at the bottom which is all you need to see all the amazing marine life that makes Stetson so special. CURRENTS: The currents in the Gulf change from day to day and hour to hour. 2-3 weeks ago, they were ripping and in the last 2 weeks they have been very manageable if there has been any current at all. CRITTERS: The Flower Gardens is ON right now! The customers and crew are all coming back to the boat with exciting finds! We've been watching all kinds of spawning including the Ocean Triggers, scallops on the platform, bluehead wrasse and more. We've been seeing all kinds of sharks. In just the last two weeks we've seen reef sharks, nurse sharks, silkies, sand bar sharks and a hammerhead. There have been a couple of daytime octopus sitings, devil rays, southern rays and MANTAS, spotted eels and golden tails in holes and free swimming, big lobsters and groupers, kobia, sea turtles, schooling jacks and scorpion fish! Of course, we can't leave out all the little guys like the yellowhead jawfish and all the patches of sailfin blennies that live at Stetson! BOOKING: Traditionally, diveshops have been limited to what trips they could book. This season, there is more flexibility. Get in touch with LOCAL DIVESHOP or your LOCAL DIVESHOP instructor to find out about booking for this season!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

FLOWER GARDENS TRIP REPORT (June 25, 2009) WHAT TO EXPECT: In a nutshell, the Flower Gardens is a protected National Marine Sanctuary located about 130 miles off shore. Trips are 2-3 days allowing 7-11 dives respectively. You'll dive on all 3 banks...East, West and Stetson. You'll also get to dive on a platform which might be the coolest thing ever. You get a comfortable bunk and the galley will keep you well fed. Its not resort style diving; its a little more adventurous! The folks at LOCAL DIVESHOP can tell you more about diving on the Fling and what specialties you might want to take before your trip to the Flower Gardens. VIZ: Earlier this season there was some algae and plankton bloom as well as some mixed temps that compromised the viz. It seems like in the last 2 weeks that has started to clear up. Its not 100% just yet, but you can see 100 ft vertically and 85 feet horizontal on the East & West Banks. On the platforms, there are more layers of murkiness, but the viz below 65 is great. At Stetson Bank, there is more flow so the viz is still limited. All week it has been milky at the surface and then opening up to 50-60 feet at the bottom which is all you need to see all the amazing marine life that makes Stetson so special. CURRENTS: The currents in the Gulf change from day to day and hour to hour. 2-3 weeks ago, they were ripping and in the last 2 weeks they have been very manageable if there has been any current at all. CRITTERS: The Flower Gardens is ON right now! The customers and crew are all coming back to the boat with exciting finds! We've been watching all kinds of spawning including the Ocean Triggers, scallops on the platform, bluehead wrasse and more. We've been seeing all kinds of sharks. In just the last two weeks we've seen reef sharks, nurse sharks, silkies, sand bar sharks and a hammerhead. There have been a couple of daytime octopus sitings, devil rays, southern rays and MANTAS, spotted eels and golden tails in holes and free swimming, big lobsters and groupers, kobia, sea turtles, schooling jacks and scorpion fish! Of course, we can't leave out all the little guys like the yellowhead jawfish and all the patches of sailfin blennies that live at Stetson! BOOKING: Traditionally, diveshops have been limited to what trips they could book. This season, there is more flexibility. Get in touch with LOCAL DIVESHOP or your LOCAL DIVESHOP instructor to find out about booking for this season!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

The divers couldn't have asked for better weather on this 3 day trip. Seas were running between 1ft to 2ft for the entire trip. On the West Bank the current on the surface was moderate with a light bottom current, vis 80ft, and water temp 79. The divers enjoyed the Manta, grouper, jacks, shark, and eels on this dive. HI-389 there were tons of fish, shark, turtle, large schools of jacks, with vis 80ft and water temp 78. On East Bank #5 the Manta's were back, with the shark, lobster, shrimp, and christmas tree worms. The current was moderate, with vis 80ft and water temp 79. On East Bank #1 vis was 80ft, water temp 79, with and a very mild current. The divers enjoyed the company of several Manta's, shark, mobula, and turtle. On HI-376 there was a mild current, vis 80, and water temp 80. There was a hugh number of fish, crabs, and turtle. The vis was down on Stetson Bank running between 30ft to 40ft, water temp 79, seas running between 1ft to 2ft, and a mild current. The diver were visited by silky sharks, lots of sting rays, eels, lobster, scorpion fish, french angels, butterfly fish and a octopus.

Monday, June 22, 2009

We had a small group go out for the Father Day's weekend trip but they weren't disappointed. Sea's were running around 3ft all weekend on all banks. On The West Bank #5 we had a moderate surface current and a light bottom current, vis 80ft, and water 78. There were puffes, large schools of jacks, lots of barracuda, lobster, and nurse shark. On HI-389 were was a moderate to mild current, vis 70 ft and water temp 79. There were lots of fish, file fish, blennies and fireworms. On the East Bank #5 there was a moderate current, vis 70 ft, and water temp 79. A large nurse shark, eel, lobster, shrimp and a turtle take the diver company on this dive. At Stetson Bank there was a strong surface current and a light bottom current, vis 70 ft, and water temp 79. There were schools of jacks, large angles, lobster, trunkfish, scorpion fish, eels, and rays.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Congratulations to MADISON LEE for making his 500th dive on the West Bank on Saturday, June 13th. On the West Bank #1 there was a strong current, seas running 2ft to 3ft, vis around 50ft, water temp 78 and the divers were treated to a bull shark, trigger fish, barracuda, and lobster. At HI-389 we still had a strong current but the rig had lots of fish, a large barracuda, schools of jacks and a turtle. On the East Bank Saturday afternoon the seas were running around 2ft, water temp 78, vis around 50ft and a moderate current. Free swimming eels, crabs, and a shark were spotted on this dive. On Sunday morning at Stetson Bank there was a very strong surface current and a moderate bottom current, vis around 50ft and the water temp 78. The divers were enjoyed the blennys, cobia, lobster, eels, and rays on this dive.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

The Thursday/Friday trip, June 11th - 12th, 2009 had seas running around 4ft on Thursday and around 3ft on Friday. On the West Bank #4 there was a moderate surface current with a light bottom current, vis around 70ft and water temp 78. The divers found schools of amber jacks, lobster, and a large grouper. On HI-389 there was a moderate surface current, vis around 60ft, water temp 77 and the divers were visited by jacks, firworms, many different kinds of fish and a turtle. On the East Bank on buoy #1 the divers enjoy diving with shrimp, urchins, file fish, puffers, and a shark. The water temp was 78, seas around 3ft, and a moderate current on the surface and a lighter current near the bottom. Stetson Bank is always full of surprises - seas were running around 3ft, vis only 50ft, water temp 77, and a strong current. But the divers saw Ealge rays, stingrays, amberjack, eels and lobster. Thanks to all the divers and hope to see you again soon.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

The D. D. Dive Shop from Chicago made their annual trip once again this year. The seas conditions pick up a little from the weekend trip and they had 3ft to 5ft seas for most of their trip. On the West Bank #5 seas were running between 3ft to 4ft, vis around 50ft, water 78 and a strong strong. The divers had slipper lobster, harracudas, groupers, and jacks on this dive. On HI-389 the vis was around 30ft down to 50ft and 80ft below 50ft, water temp around 77. The divers were visited by sharks, turtles, and lots of fish. On the East Bank #5 & #1 there was a mild to strong current, vis around 60ft, water temp around 78 and seas running between 3ft to 4ft. We had Mantas, sharks, lobster, stingray, eels, crabs, and barracuda on these dives. At HI-376B there was a mild current, vis around 80ft, water temp 78, and seas around 3ft. The divers enjoyed the turtle, schools of jacks, and lots of fish. On Stetson Bank #1 & #3 there was a strong surface current and a mild bottom current. The seas were running around 3ft to 4ft, vis 70ft and water temp 77. The silky sharks, eels, lobster, urchins stingrays, angles, snapper, and jacks made the last day of diving a great one.

Monday, June 08, 2009

Another weekend trip with great weather and seas. On Saturday with seas were running around 1ft, moderate current, water temp 78 and vis around 70ft and we were diving on the West Bank #5 with a big grouper, squid, triggers, eels, and barracudas. At HI-389 the seas pick up a little from 1ft to 2ft to 3ft with a moderate current, water temp 78 and vis 60ft. Once again there ever a large schools of jacks, sharks and a lots of fish. At East Bank #4 seas were running around 2ft, moderate current, water temp 78, and vis 60ft and the divers were visited by sharks, eels, lobster, tuna file fish, queen angles and 4 Mantas. On Sunday, once again Stetson Bank was full of marine life: schools of of jacks, scorpion fish, rays, eels, lobster, silkys, bull shark, and Hammerheads. The water temp was around 76 with a moderate current.

Friday, June 05, 2009

We had a new group from Mid-Missouri Dive Center to do the first Flower Garden trip and boy did they get great weather for it. On the West Bank #3 the seas were running around 2ft with no current, vis 80ft, and water temp around 77. This was the first ocean dive for a lot of the divers and they were treated to trigger fish, angle fish, butterfly fish, eels, lobster, mantas, and large crabs. On the East Bank we had a mild current, water temp around 78, vis around 60ft and seas running around 2ft. Once again the sting rays, puffers, jacks, shrimp, crabs and starfish were out and about. The divers did both rigs - HI-389 and HI-376A were the water temp was around 78, vis around 80, and a moderate current. There were many sharks, a very large turlte, lots of schools of fish, and crabs. Everyone who had a camera got some great pictures. On Stetson Bank the vis was around 60ft, water temp 77, and seas running between 2ft to 3ft. There were a lots of rays, hugh lobsters, eels, sharks, urchins, snapper, jacks, eaglerays, and octopus. Everyone enjoy their trip and will be back again.

Monday, June 01, 2009

The May 30 - 31, 2009 weekend was a good one. The seas were running between 1ft and 2ft all weekend and a very mild current. On the West Bank the water temp was around 75 and vis around 80ft were the divers visited by stingrays, large groupers, horse eye jacks, amberjacks, barracuda, turtles, large puffters. On HI -389 we have turtles, sharks, and the vis was limited because there were to many fish to see thru very far. On the East Bank #5 there were snapper, barracuda, jacks, shrimp, crabs, groupers, silkys, sea urchins, and lobster. On Sunday we were diving on Stetson Bank with a water temp around 80 and vis around 80ft with hugh Southern Rays, lobster, eels, snapper, silkys, urchins scorpion fish, eagle rays, and hammerheads - yes there are still hammerheads on Stetson Bank.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Well we had a full house for the Memorial weekend 3 day trip and what a great bunch of divers. The trip out Friday night was very good with 3ft to 4ft slow rollers. The current on the West Bank was very mild, water temp between 76 - 78, and the vis good. The divers had schools of jacks, creole wrasse, and nurse sharks with them on this dive. On HI-389 the water temp was running around 77 and the current once again very mild. Hanging out at the rig were amberjacks, jacks, and sharks. At HI376B with current pick up a little but the water temp was about same between 77 and 79 and vis good. There were 6 black tip and silky sharks, rainbow runners, jacks, and turtles on this dive. At the East Bank we found a large shark and slipper lobsters. On Sunday we were diving Stetson Bank with no current and good vis. The divers had a large variety of sealife - kingmackeral, amberjacks, hugh french angels, lots of stingrays, sailfin blennies, blue runners, blue gobies, lobsters, brittle starfish, arrow crabs, bristle worms eagle ray, marex couch and look downs. All in all a great trip for everyone!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

We board the boat on Friday night, May 16th, with a very small group of divers. There was plently of room for everyone on this trip. The crew did manage to set 4 buoys in between dives and now there are 3 buoys on the West Bank and 3 buoys on the East Bank. We change our schedule a little due to the fact that there were no buoys on the West Bank and we made our first dive on the East Bank #5. The seas were running between 3ft to 4ft, water temp 75 and the vis around 80ft. There were large schools of jacks, eels, grouper and barracudas. Our second dive was on HI-376B - and the seas were running between 2ft to 3ft a mild current, water temp 75 and the vis around 70ft. The divers had plenty of things to look at: silky sharks, turtles, filefish, schools of jacks and a lots of other fish. At the West Bank on Buoy #1 the seas were around 2ft with a very mild current, water temp 75 and the vis around 60 ft. Once again there were nurse sharks, lobsters, mackeral, black grouper, eels, crabs, and southern rays. Our last day on Sunday, we were at Stetson and the diving was a little bit harder with a strong current, vis down to 40ft, water temp 70 and the seas running 2ft to 4ft. There were still hammerheads on Stetson, silky sharks, eels, lobster, and southern ray. All in all everyone had a great time and I hope to see each and everyone of you back again to dive the Flower Gardens.

Monday, April 06, 2009

The ride out started pretty well but seas increased as we got near Stetson Bank. Arrived at West Bank Saturday morning to find only one mooring which was damaged. We tied to it and tried to repair it but the line parted. Seas were too rough to attempt to install another mooring, so we set sail for East Bank. We tied to buoy #6 at East Bank and did two dives. Seas were 5', mild current, water temp was around 68, vis about 75'. Divers saw a large manta, hammerhead sharks, eels, tuna, schools of amber jack, spanish mackerel, and lots of other fish. Seas increased to 6' by noon and getting back on the boat was a real challenge but everyone handled it well. Between dives our divemasters installed a temporary mooring on #5. After the second dive we moved to HI389 platform where seas were knocked down a bit by the structure. Otherwise conditions were about the same as East Bank. Divers saw a large turtle, and large schools of game and tropical fish. We completed the platform dive and returned to East Bank to dive buoy #5. By mid-afternoon the wind had decreased and seas were on the way down, so the fourth and fifth dives were much easier than the morning dives. Divers saw southern sting rays, lobster, eels, hammerheads and lots of small stuff. After diving four dives in challenging conditions everyone was tired and opted not to do a night dive, instead we spent the evening watching TV and eating brownies and Blue Bell. We left East Bankd about 2am Sunday and headed for Stetson. The sea had calmed to about 2' by then with a southeast wind so the ride to Stetson was quiet and smooth. We tied up at Stetson #1 around 6am and did two dives. Sea was 2', current was mild, water temp 68, and vis around 60'. Divers saw a large turtle, hammerheads, reef sharks, spinner sharks, eels, and lots of other critters. We headed home about 11:30am. Seas were about 2' and on our stern when we left making the ride smoother and comfortable. About 25 miles from home we ran into a strong Norther. Seas increased to 5' to 6' from the North making the ride a bit bumpy, but most everyone seemed to deal with it well and we made it back to the dock right on time.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

They always said the third time is a charm. Our third trip of the season went off without a hitch. The seas stay around 3 feet all weekend with mild to moderate current. On the West Bank the divers were treated to hammerheads, reef sharks, eels, lobster, amberjacks, and a tiger shark. We move the boat to HI-389 were the visibility was 70 feet and the water temp. was running around 66. We had reef sharks, jacks, a turtle and lots of barracuda. The East Bank was also full of marine life; reef sharks, nurse sharks, eels, barracuda, lobster, shrimp, crabs, and spinner sharks. On Sunday we dove on Stetson Bank were the divers were once again treated to hammerheads, reef sharks, eels, lobster, schools of Spanish Mackeral and Amberjacks. All in all a very good trip and everyone had a great time.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Well our second trip had a very exciting start at the dock but once we got underway and trip was perfect. We made it out to the West and East were the seas were running between 2ft and 4 with a mild current and water temperature between 65 and 68 depending on which buoy you were diving. The divers dove on Buoy #5, Buoy #6 and HI -389 were they saw many hammerheads, silkys nursesharks, turtle, puffers, amberjacks, yellowfin tuna, large groupe, Manta, eel, and a very large tigershark. The visibilty on Stetson was running around 70ft with water temperature near 68 with a mild current. Once again the divers were diving with the hammerheads, reef sharks, amberjacks, eels, and lobster. All in all wonderful trip.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Well we finally made our first trip for the season and as with all first trips we had some minor problems. We blew out a hydraulic hose which made steering a little difficult. We did a Stetson only trip where there were plenty of things to see. We dove on Bouy#1 and Bouy #5 where the divers and photographers had plenty subjects to look at. They saw hammerheads, bullsharks, silkysharks, dolphins, mantas, jawfish, eels, lobsters, amberjacks, large schools of mackerels, and scorphian fish. On Saturadays the seas were running 3ft and 5ft with moderate morning current and a mild evening current with water tempature 65 and visiblity of 80ft. On Sunday the seas were running between 2ft and 3ft with a mild current.