Dive Report 15 December

This close-range photo of my student tells the story, very short vis. It was never more than four or five feet. We were doing an Advanced Open Water navigation dive so the short vis did not stop us; the compass was more important than usual. We really could not see much. After doing the skill work just south of the east bridge we ventured under the bridge into the shortest vis I have experienced there. A couple of snook ran into us otherwise we would not have seen them. We swam under the bridge, turned around, and swam out from under the bridge. There was not much reason to be there. The water temperature was seventy-five at its coldest although much of the time my computer indicated the temperature at seventy-seven. Despite the short vis we still did a one hour, twenty-five minute dive. I was very comfortable in my five millimeter suit and hooded vest. If you really need to get in the water, it is doable. Get in the water, Ham

Dive Report 4 December

I love diving at the Bridge on a weekday morning; we own it! Parking is not a problem (I refuse to use the word "issue"). Vis was fifteen to twenty feet off the beach, but in certain areas it fell off to eight to ten feet. For the most part, the vis was very good. The water temperature was seventy-eight so in my five millimeter suit I was comfortable for our one hour, twenty-nine minute dive. The little seahorse by the seawall was still there. Flying gurnards and searobins are in the neighborhood right now. With a bright, sunny day it was a fantastic day to be at the bridge. Conditions are very good! Get in the water, Ham

Dive Report 2 December

We had a beautiful, sunny day at the Bridge with much better than expected vis. What a change from Friday! After Friday's milky eight feet I expected pretty much the same. What a pleasant surprise to have twenty-plus feet off the beach. Under the west bridge out by the boat channel the vis was quite a bit shorter with distances varying between eight and ten feet. It was probably a function of many student divers as is usually the case on a weekend. Nevertheless, a student and I saw two batfish, a flying gurnard, a small spotted eagle ray, a southern ray, and the convention of sheepshead which seem to be everywhere. (They remind me of Milton Berle). The water temperature was seventy-seven, but I never felt chilled during our one hour, three minute dive. The bright sun definitely plays a role in temperature perception for me. Parking was not a problem even for a Sunday morning high tide. The great vis was quite a gift and shows we never know until we go. Get in the water, Ham