Monday, June 27, 2011

Seychelles Dive Log #6

By the Numbers: Bi-Weekly Dive Log
 
Dive #53 (BSD 2) 13/6/2011
Dive Time: 09:55 Bottom Time: 44 minutes
Max Depth: 8.3 meters Water Temperature: 28
Visibility: 8-10 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 150 bar
Gear: 3/4 full wetsuit, 2kg weight belt, 12L AL Tank, XXS BSD BCD
Notes: Skills Dive @ Twin Barges w/Susanne, Adam, Simon, Kim, Natasha. Assisted Ascent/Unconscious, Nonbreathing, Tired Diver/Malfunctioning Regulator/Out of Air Scenarios.
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2458 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 23.4 meters
 
 
Dive #54 (BSD 3) 13/6/2011
Dive Time: 12:20 Bottom Time: 27 minutes
Max Depth: 14.8 meters Water Temperature: 28
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 150 bar - 130 bar
Gear: 3/4 full wetsuit, 2kg weight belt, 12L AL Tank, XXS BSD BCD
Notes: Skills Dive @ Aquarium w/Susanne, Adam, Simon, Kim, Natasha. Assisted Ascent Scenario followed by a quick fun dive integrating Out of Air Scenario.
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2485 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 23.4 meters
 
 
Dive #55 (BSD 4) 14/6/2011
Dive Time: 11:42 Bottom Time: 32 minutes
Max Depth: 15.4 meters Water Temperature: 28
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 150 bar
Gear: Blue Sea Divers full wetsuit, 3kg weight belt, 12L AL Tank, XXS BSD BCD
Notes: Missing Diver Scenario & Fun Dive @ Coral Garden w/Marcus, Natasha, Adam, Simon, Susan. Nudibranch, Blue & Yellow Triggerfish (Maze Pattern!)
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2517 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 23.4 meters
 
 
Dive #56 (BSD 5) 15/6/2011
Dive Time: 09:33 Bottom Time: 53 minutes
Max Depth: 22.7 meters Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 4-6 meters
Air Consumption: 190 bar - 120 bar
Gear: BSD full wetsuit, 3kg weight belt + 1kg in BCD, 12L AL Tank, XXS BSD BCD
Notes: First Wreck Dive @ Twin Barges w/Marcus, Susanne. 7 Lionfish hanging out on deck, many peppered moray eels (tiny juveniles to large adults), porcupine fish hiding in exhaust pipe.
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2570 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 23.4 meters
 
 
Dive #57 (BSD 6) 15/6/2011
Dive Time: 11:14 Bottom Time: 55 minutes
Max Depth: 13.3 meters Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 7-9 meters
Air Consumption: 190 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD full wetsuit, 3kg weight belt + 1kg in BCD, 12L AL Tank, XXS BSD BCD
Notes: Fun Dive @ Grambazara w/Marcus, Susanne. 3 Crown of Thorns Starfish! 2 scorpionfish, peppered moray eel.
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2625 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 23.4 meters
 
 
Dive #58 (BSD 7) 16/6/2011
Dive Time: 09:34 Bottom Time: 32 minutes
Max Depth: 39.8 meters Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 230 bar - 160 bar
Gear: BSD full wetsuit, 3kg weight belt + 1kg in BCD, 12L AL Tank, XXS BSD BCD/th>
Notes: First Decompression Dive @ Aldabaren Wreck w/Marcus, Sylvain, Simon. Inches from a concealed giant ray at the bottom, numerous peppered moray eels, lionfish, porcupine fish.
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2657 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 39.8 meters
 
 
Dive #59 (BSD 8) 16/6/2011
Dive Time: 11:27 Bottom Time: 51 minutes
Max Depth: 11.3 meters Water Temperature: 28
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 230 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD full wetsuit, 3kg weight belt + 1kg in BCD, 10L AL Tank, XXS BSD BCD
Notes: Fun Dive @ Sunset Rocks w/Marcus, Susanne. Peppered moray eel, nudibranch, school of bat fish.
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2708 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 39.8 meters
 
 
Dive #60 (BSD 9) 17/6/2011
Dive Time: 09:51 Bottom Time: 55 minutes
Max Depth: 22.8 meters Water Temperature: 28
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD full wetsuit, 3kg weight belt, 10L AL Tank, XXS BSD BCD
Notes: First lead dive @ Twin Barges w/client, Susanne, Ara. Completed both wrecks ~35 minutes, shallow coral loop to end dive at anchor site. Nudibranch, juvenile peppered moray eel, conch shell.
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2763 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 39.8 meters
 
 
Dive #61 (BSD 10) 17/6/2011
Dive Time: 11:33 Bottom Time: 48 minutes
Max Depth: 13.8 meters Water Temperature: 28
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD full wetsuit, 2kg weight belt, 10L AL Tank, XXS BSD BCD
Notes: Susanne led dive @ Aquarium w/client, Ara. Completed loops around 2 of 3 pinnacles, Ara simulated out of air scenario & had me complete a mask removal during safety stop. Porcupinefish, halomitra, nudibranch, anenome fish, Chinese trumpet fish.
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2811 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 39.8 meters
 
 
Dive #62 (BSD 11) 18/6/2011
Dive Time: 9:30 Bottom Time: 53 minutes
Max Depth: 14.4 meters Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD full wetsuit, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pockets, 10L AL Tank, swapped to BSD full foot fins (size 36-37).
Notes: Fun Dive w/Susanne, Return diver @ Aquarium. Junior BCD fits comfortably & full foot fins feel much more efficient than my open foot fins. Out of air scenario w/Ara during dive. Hawksbill, mantis shrimp, painted lobster, hairy hermit crab, nudibranch, camoflage grouper, large silver grouper w/yellow trumpet fish, clown fish (nemo!).
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2864 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 39.8 meters
 
 
Dive #63 (BSD 12) 18/6/2011
Dive Time: 11:18 Bottom Time: 54 minutes
Max Depth: 18.3 meters Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD full wetsuit, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pockets, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins.
Notes: Fun Dive w/Susanne, client @ Twin Barges. Stayed on shallow wreck and reef. Moray eel, hairy hermit crab hiding in rusted mooring, lionfish regulars on wreck, black lionfish on shallow reef, oriental sweetlips, silver spotted sweetlips.
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2918 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 39.8 meters
 
 
Dive #64 (BSD 13) 19/6/2011
Dive Time: 10:09 Bottom Time: 47 minutes
Max Depth: 18.8 meters Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 1-3 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD full wetsuit, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pockets, 12L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins.
Notes: 2nd Lead Dive @ Baie Ternay! w/3 clients, Susanne, Ara. Extra kg for clients, extremely poor visibility, challenge to maintain sight of buddy pairs, successfully navigated reef and return route, no lost divers.
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2965 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 39.8 meters
 
 
Dive #65 (BSD 14) 19/6/2011
Dive Time: 11:53 Bottom Time: 48 minutes
Max Depth: 13.2 meters Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 130 bar - 70 bar
Gear: BSD full wetsuit, 2kg weights in Junior BSD BCD pockets, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins.
Notes: Susanne led dive @ Horse Shoe Rocks w/3 clients, Ara. Better visibility, but still not good. 2x around the reef, porcupinefish resting, surgeonfish, butterflyfish, angelfish.
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3013 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 39.8 meters
 
 
Dive #66 (BSD 15) 20/6/2011
Dive Time: 09:37 Bottom Time: 51 minutes
Max Depth: 18.2 meters Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 230 bar - 160 bar
Gear: BSD full wetsuit, 2kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pockets, 12L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins.
Notes: Shadowed Vera (Divemaster) @ L'ilot w/Simon, client. Strong current and surge around island. Large rays, soft corals, moray eel.
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3064 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 39.8 meters
 
 
Dive #67 (BSD 16) 21/6/2011
Dive Time: 09:26 Bottom Time: 54 minutes
Max Depth: 12.3 meters Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 10-12 meters
Air Consumption: 230 bar - 140 bar
Gear: BSD full wetsuit, 2kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pockets, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins.
Notes: Fun dive @ Whale Rock w/Susanne, Simon. Incredible granitic site, though clearly devastated from 1998 bleaching event and still recovering. Nudibranch, conch, clown fish, squid eggs in branching acropora.
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3118 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 39.8 meters
 
 
Dive #68 (BSD 17) 22/6/2011
Dive Time: 09:27 Bottom Time: 52 minutes
Max Depth: 40.8 meters Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD full wetsuit, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pockets, 12L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins.
Notes: Deco Dive @ Aldabaran Wreck w/Ara, Simon, Susanne, Adam. NEW MAX DEPTH! Cowfish, scorpionfish x2, murex beneath stern, peppered morays, Ara's name carved into side of wreck...
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3170 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 40.8 meters
 
 
Dive 69# (BSD 18) 23/6/2011
Dive Time: 09:35 Bottom Time: 46 minutes
Max Depth: 22.8 meters Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 3-5 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 130 bar
Gear: BSD full wetsuit, 2kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pockets, 12L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins.
Notes: Lead dive @ Twin Barges w/Simon, 3 clients, Ara. Porcupinefish, moray eel, lionfish gang, nudibranch. Difficulty managing the varied skill levels, poor visibility.
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3216 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 40.8 meters
 
 
Dive #70 (BSD 19) 23/6/2011
Dive Time: 11:20 Bottom Time: 20 minutes
Max Depth: 12.6 meters Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 130 bar - 100 bar
Gear: BSD full wetsuit, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pockets, 12L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins.
Notes: Rescue skills dive @ Aquarium w/Natacha, Simon. Underwater leg cramp w/assisted ascent, Unconscious breathing diver w/assisted ascent and tow to boat.
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3236 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 40.8 meters
 
 
Dive #71 (BSD 20) 24/6/2011
Dive Time: 10:47 Bottom Time: 51 minutes
Max Depth: 13.3 meters Water Temperature: 26
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 70 bar
Gear: BSD full wetsuit, 2kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pockets, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins.
Notes: Coral Garden w/Simon, 3 clients. Shared air w/client for last 20 minutes. Purple & brown COT, scorpionfish, clownfish, hairy hermit crab in mitre shell, shrimp.
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3287 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 40.8 meters
 
 
Dive #72 (BSD 21) 24/6/2011
Dive Time: 14:30 Bottom Time: 50 minutes
Max Depth: 8.9 meters Water Temperature: 27
Visibility: 6-8 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 150 bar
Gear: BSD full wetsuit, 1kg weight in Junior BSD BCD pockets, 10L AL Tank, BSD full foot fins.
Notes: Fun Dive @ Northolme Rocks w/Christian, Simon, Susanne, Adam. COT x3, white & green nudibranch, zebra moray eel, shrimp, flowerfish-like sea cucumber, trumpet fish. Great site!
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 3337 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 40.8 meters
 
 

Saturday, June 25, 2011

WK 12: Sink or Swim

Beau Vallon, Mahe
Were I a cloud in the ocean... like marshmallows they sugar coat an azure sky above Beau Vallon Beach. My eyes fixate upon their weightless, shape-shifting forms. I envy their effortless hover and kick for dear life just to keep my head above the surf. I take a deep breath and raise my hands above the surface for the final two minutes of the Divemaster fifteen minute tread skill test. Were I a cloud in the ocean... the thought floats through my head like a mantra. Were I a cloud in the ocean... two minutes never felt so laboriously long. Were I a cloud in the ocean... Adam, Simon, and Susanne have the energy to play a game of "I Spy". Were I a cloud in the ocean... ferry terns animate the sky with their grace. Were I a cloud in the ocean... Ara's voice shatters the trance. Time's up, hands drop. My face hints of a smile through each laborious gasp as I think to myself, clouds could never feel this alive.

*****
Two weeks into my internship at Blue Sea Divers and I couldn't be more satisfied with the time spent at the shop. I've gotten to know the staff better and I'm familiarizing myself with the odds and ends of day to day routine. In the water, practical skills for my rescue diver and divemaster certifications have been integrated into daily dives, some of which I've had a chance to lead as divemaster under the supervision of an instructor. The last two weeks have been so saturated with learning the ropes of being a divemaster and simply settling into life that, without realizing it, I've not had a day off of work (I've been forced to take today off). But I love it; and the time I spend working, whether in the water or in the shop, has been a incredible.

This past week was... interesting. First of all, we had no water on Saturday. Granted, this wasn't exactly unexpected. Seychelles has been experiencing a drought, so water has been shut off in our neighborhood from roughly 3 AM - 5 PM every day. However, on Saturday, after returning home from work the tap didn't even offer a trickle of water. Since it was a holiday, Seychelles National Day, it was reasoned that someone took the celebrations a little too far and forgot to switch on our water. But, we returned home from work on Sunday to another dry tap and then discovered that the neighbors had running water. Interesting indeed.

Blue Sea Divers, Beau Vallon
Disgruntled, dirty, and dumfounded divemaster interns and neighbors began to hunt for an answer to our water outage mystery. We traced pipes around the exterior of the house, under the overgrown pumpkin patch, around our ancient rusted chicken coop, up and over walls and fences to yet another neighbor's driveway. There, we found our water had been turned off which meant a simple fix: with one twist our water was running- and so were we, back to the house for showers!

I led two challenging dives recently. Last Sunday, I took a group of three novice divers on a tour of Baie Ternay's central reef with Susanne and Ara. Unfortunately, the homecoming wasn't quite what I had envisioned- in fact I couldn't see much of anything through the silt and plankton that reduced visibility to a mere three meters at best. It took all my effort just to keep track of the divers as I navigated a course around the reef's contour. At first I attempted to point out interesting shells and fish, but nixed the effort considering the diving conditions and focused on the whereabouts and well-being of the divers instead. Relying on an underwater compass and natural navigation, I was able to surface remarkably close to the boat without losing anyone. So far, that was one of the most stressful dives I've had, but a great learning experience as well.

My second lead dive of the week topped the first. I took three clients (a rescue and two novice divers) on a tour of Twin Barges and its shallow reef with Simon and Ara. After conducting a quick buoyancy check at the surface, I realized one of the novice divers was over-weighted and removed a kg from his BCD. I signaled for descent and got an 'okay' from everyone. Heads underwater, I made a quick sweep of the group, signalling 'okay' and receiving a unanimous 'okay' in reply. I took my eyes away from the clients to grasp the anchor line to role-model the method of descent I'd covered in the predive briefing. I looked back to the clients and saw that one had resurfaced, treading water with incredible effort. Rounding up the underwater clients, everyone returned to the surface. The stressed diver confessed a sore throat which deterred his initial decent. He was consoled and after a few moments of fresh air, signaled that he was ready to descend again... for the first time.

Fishing boat, Beau Vallon
The fun decided to follow us for a dive as well. The visibility was poor again, so navigating and keeping an eye on my divers was my main goal. One individual seemed to be afraid to get too close to the wreck, hovering a good meter or so above the barges. To complicate things further, the stressed diver blazed through his air within the first thirty minutes. Thankfully, Ara was able to ascend with the diver, allowing the other two clients, along with Simon and myself, to continue the dive along the reef. I literally breathed a sigh of relief when I was back on board the boat, all clients accounted for and smiling after the dive.

In addition to leading dives, a divemaster must pass practical skills and theory tests in order to become certified. The experience garnered from leading dives is invaluable, but the skills tests are designed to further in-water confidence while deducing one's physical and mental fitness. Our divemaster skill test for the week was a fifteen minute tread (hands above the water for the last two minutes). The difficulty of this skill varies, dependent upon the physique of the individual. Unfortunately for me, even with the extra lift from salt water, I sink like a stone. So from the onset, I was working 100%. I've never considered the merits of eating a steady diet of cake and ice cream with more earnest than I did during that test. It took all the willpower in the world not to let my hands drop. After those fifteen intense minutes and all that's occurred over the last week, all I can say is, "It's been real."

Saturday, June 18, 2011

WK 11: You and I are Deep Sea Divers

The rooster next door sounds like its choking as it attempts to raise the sun from its slumber at dark-thirty in the morning. Moonlight shimmers through the makeshift curtains I've crafted from an old bed sheet left around the house and spare line from diving. I roll over on my side to check the time, the entire bunk bed creaking and shifting with my weight. Holding my breath, I hope I don't wake Susanne on the lower bed. It's not even 3 am. Work is at 8. I'm wide awake, but let the night's symphony of barking dogs, intermittent fruit bat cries, and utterly confused roosters lull me back to sleep. I smile as I drift back into dreams, or from this dream... who knows. I'm alive and living; life is good.

*****

The past 7 days have been packed with new underwater experiences working as a divemaster intern in Beau Vallon. After completing my first full week at Blue Sea Divers (BSD), I dove at my first wreck site, completed a decompression dive (reaching a new max depth), and topped off the week leading a dive! I've not had a moment to rest, but the office is the ocean- I'm more than happy to work my 7 days of the week plus some! I have been settling into my role as divemaster intern, assimilating myself into the shop's rhythm and becoming a better diver with every breath.

Beau Vallon fisherman
Monday and Tuesday were devoted to rescue diver skills and theory. Dives were short and relatively shallow, focusing on specific emergency scenarios. Mornings were spent covering diver tows, out of air, rescue breathing, assisted ascents, water exits, and missing diver searches. After a rejuvenating lunch on the beachfront, the afternoons were spent covering rescue theory and reviewing the morning's exercises. A considerable amount of time has been dedicated to the rescue training at BSD which has given me more confidence in the water.

Wednesday could not have come sooner- I was overflowing with excitement when I discovered that BSD would be diving at Twin Barges, a wreck site just off NW Mahe's coast. As I descended, I feared I'd get lost since the visibility was considerably less than optimum with so much plankton in the water. But, as I followed the murky shadows and bubbles of fellow divers, the form of a bow slowly emerged from the depths. My heart skipped a beat as the entire boat came into view. Schools of fish were shimmering about its decks; peppered moray eels popped out of rusted exhaust valves; a family of lionfish swayed with the surge; and a little porcupinefish peered at me from a rusted pipe. It was an underwater playground.

But one wreck dive was not enough for my first week. On Thursday, BSD took clients to Aldabaran, a 40 meter wreck site! Diving to 40 meters required a decompression stop, and so it was both my deepest dive to date and first deco-dive! I descended down the anchor line to the wreck without trouble and did not experience nitrogen narcosis, though I did feel a little light headed as I reached the bottom. As I rounded the stern of the ship, I noticed a group of divers hovering above the sand- not thinking much of it, I continued scouring the bottom of the boat for any large shells. As I was about to place my hand on the sand, it shifted, rising up in front and below me. I froze. A huge marble ray emerged from the sand, about as wide as I am tall (or short) with a tail as thick as my arm. Its body came within inches of mine before it glided away, followed by a baby ray. Needless to say, Aldabaran was quite the experience.

Blue Sea Divers!
It was trial by fire - or water - on Friday when I led my first dive. I had one client whom I led around Twin Barges and its shallow coral reef. The experience overall was a good one. I'd been to the site once before and knew its general layout as well as what to expect to find. Juggling the clients needs and mine, like buoyancy and air, along with navigating a fun and interesting dive was challenging. I reviewed hand signals and briefed the client about the site and its details as I readied his equipment for the dive. I kept my wits about me while submerged, pointing out fish, invertebrates, and anything I thought could be of interest. The client seemed to be impressed and happy with the dive at the end of our underwater tour. There is a tidal wave of details I could have done better, so with more time and dives, everything will come together.

If the next 11 weeks go by this quickly I'll be stateside before you can say, "1, 2, 3, roll!"

Monday, June 13, 2011

Seychelles Dive Log #5

By the Numbers: Bi-Weekly Dive Log
 
Dive #4330/5/2011
Dive Time: 15:39 minBottom Time: 46 minutes
Max Depth: 14.9 metersWater Temperature: 28
Visibility: 7-9 meters
Air Consumption: 2700 psi - 1900 psi
Gear: LS rashguard, no weights
Notes: Fun Dive @ Conception Central East Face w/Susanne, Dan. Conch, Giant Clam, Top Shell, 2 Eagle Rays, Crown of Thorns (22 Arms, 50cm)
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 1976 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 23.4 meters
 
 
Dive #4431/5/2011
Dive Time: 10:04Bottom Time: 54 minutes
Max Depth: 13.3 metersWater Temperature: 28
Visibility: 7-9 meters
Air Consumption: 200 bar - 140 bar
Gear: SS rashguard under LS rashguard, no weights
Notes: LIT/INV Survey @ Lighthouse (Shallow Left) w/Amelia. SMB. Time In/Out - 10:04/10:58, Start/End- 10:09/10:43. Depth Profile-Min/Max: 2.1/5.6 meters; Start/End: 3.6/4.8 meters. Surge: 4. Hung out with a 1.5 meter Marble Ray after completing the survey!
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2030 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 23.4 meters
 
 
Dive #451/6/2011
Dive Time: 15:34Bottom Time: 48 minutes
Max Depth: 14.5 metersWater Temperature: 26
Visibility: 7-9 meters
Air Consumption: 2800 psi - 1900 psi
Gear: LS rashguard, No weights
Notes: Turtle Dive w/Adam. Stonefish, Lionfish, Nudibranch, Fire Coral, Conches!
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2078 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 23.4 meters
 
 
Dive #462/6/2011
Dive Time: 14:00Bottom Time: 45 minutes
Max Depth: 11.4 metersWater Temperature: 27
Visibility: 7-9 meters
Air Consumption: 2700 psi - 1900 psi
Gear: LS rashguard under 3/4 full wetsuit, 4lb weights
Notes:LIT/INV Survey @ Therese STH (Deep Right) w/Dani. SMB. Time In/Out - 14:00/14:45, Start/End- 14:03/14:33. Depth Profile-Min/Max: 6.1/16 meters; Start/End: 9.8/9.1 meters. Surge: 4/5. Crown of Thorns, 12 arms & 1.5 slate width
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2123 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 23.4 meters
 
 
Dive #472/6/2011
Dive Time: 15:30Bottom Time: 35 minutes
Max Depth: 9.9 metersWater Temperature: 27
Visibility: 7-9 meters
Air Consumption: 2700 psi - 2100 psi
Gear: LS rashguard under 3/4 full wetsuit, 4lb weights
Notes:LIT/INV Survey @ Therese STH (Shallow Right) w/Dani. SMB. Time In/Out - 15:30/16:05, Start/End- 15:36/15:58. Depth Profile-Min/Max: 3.3/6.8 meters; Start/End: 6.4/6.8 meters. Surge: 4.
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2158 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 23.4 meters
 
 
Dive #483/5/2011
Dive Time: 15:32Bottom Time: 49 minutes
Max Depth: 9.6 metersWater Temperature: 27
Visibility: 5-7 meters
Air Consumption: 2700 psi - 2000 psi
Gear: LS rashguard, No weights
Notes:Notes:LIT/INV Survey @ Port Luanay STH (Shallow Right) w/Will. SMB. Time In/Out - 15:32/16:21, Start/End- 15:40/16:10. Depth Profile-Min/Max: 3.2/6.7 meters; Start/End: 5.9/5 meters. Surge: 2.
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2207 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 23.4 meters
 
 
Dive #496/6/2011
Dive Time: 08:42Bottom Time: 51 minutes
Max Depth: 16 metersWater Temperature: 27
Visibility: 10-12 meters
Air Consumption: 2500 psi - 1700 psi
Gear: 3/4 full wetsuit, 4lb weights
Notes: Fun Dive w/Jenny (Dani and Julia) Spotted a murex, scorpionfish, stonefish, conch, and mantis shrimp!
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2258 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 23.4 meters
 
 
Dive #507/6/2011
Dive Time: 08:10Bottom Time: 50 minutes
Max Depth: 16.2 metersWater Temperature: 27
Visibility: 10-12 meters
Air Consumption: 2500 psi - 1800 psi
Gear: 3/4 full wetsuit, 4lb weights
Notes: Fun Dive w/John (Adam, Simon, Yuliana, and Iva) Spotted a B&W nudibranch, conch, and ~1m white tip (my first shark)!
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2308 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 23.4 meters
 
 
Dive #518/6/2011
Dive Time: 13:58Bottom Time: 48 minutes
Max Depth: 17.8 metersWater Temperature: 27
Visibility: 8-10 meters
Air Consumption: 2500 psi - 1700 psi
Gear: 3/4 full wetsuit, 4lb weights
Notes: Last Fun Dive w/Will, Dan, Dani, Vero, Meg, Shelby, Nick, Julia. Spotted a male hawksbill ~60cm (very mellow fellow!) and the same white tip from yesterday (:
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2356 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 23.4 meters
 
 
Dive #52 (BSD 1)12/6/2011
Dive Time: 10:57Bottom Time: 58 minutes
Max Depth: 14.7 metersWater Temperature: 27
Visibility: 10-12 meters
Air Consumption: 220 bar - 120 bar
Gear: 3/4 full wetsuit, 2lb weights (10 liter aluminum tank)
Notes: First dive with Blue Sea! Fun dive at Horse Shoe Rocks, spotted a white leaf fish, scorpion fish, eels, nudibranchs, porcupine fish, a large cowrie shell, conch shell, and a murex shell
 
Seychelles Bottom Time: 2414 minutes
Seychelles Max Depth: 23.4 meters
 
 

Sunday, June 12, 2011

WK 10: End... Begin

Home sweet home in Beau Vallon
 10 weeks never seemed so brief or so fun filled. It's difficult to comprehend everything that has taken place, though I know the time I've shared with fellow expedition members here at Cap Ternay was incredible. I'm truly at a loss for words- moments, snapshots, highlights and events whirl about my head from the past 10 weeks, drowning out any hopes of a proper summarization. A tidal wave of experiences overwhelms my mind as I try to make sense of the past while moving forward into my Seychelles divemaster phase.

I'm living off base, sharing a house with my fellow divemasters in Beau Vallon where we work at Blue Sea Divers. Coral surveys a thing of the past, I'm getting settled and sorted at our the new workplace. It's been a week of transition and welcome change.
*****

Hawksbill turtle
Week 10 was nothing short of climactic. It's surely already been recorded in Seychelles history books. The flux and flow of time wrapped itself around the final days on base and first days as a divemaster intern. Endings and beginnings merged as goodbyes and hellos echoed across the days.

Fun dives around Baei Ternay occupied the first half of the week. With coral surveys completed, my last 3 dives were simply for fun. The final dive was the stuff of legends; Baei Ternay was never so amazing. Everyone stayed together as one big buddy group, swimming with a Hawksbill turtle for a while and spotting a moray eel and baby white tip reef shark! It was surreal as I surfaced, seeing the elated faces pop up around me from the sea and knowing that it was the last time we'd all be diving together in the Bay. I held my breath for a second, letting the dive's 48 minutes settle in my soul and smiled as I let out a sigh, buffering a dubious dive details with excitement over megafauna sightings.

White tip reef shark hiding
Manta, our dive boat, took us as close to the shore as possible. The tide was still rising when we returned to the sheltered bay, so I was able to embark upon the epic trek to shore for a final time. I maneuvered over the sandy mountains and valleys constructed by overzealous crabs and kept an eye open for sea cucumbers as I plodded towards land. The journey hadn't changed nor was it any less perilous than the first time I walked it, but it felt different- something inside me had changed over the last 10 weeks. As I reached the shore, I looked back one final time at the bay, Manta, and my friends thinking surely life is but a dream.

Final steps to shore
 Leaving base was a quick and stealthy endeavor. At 8 am, divemaster interns from Blue Sea Divers and Big Blue lumbered into a white van which would deliver us to our respective dive shops. With most of base still rubbing sleep from their eyes or readying themselves for their own departures, goodbyes were short and sweet and in some cases completely skipped for another day. Before you could say "Dive Buddy!" I was plopped in front of Blue Sea Divers, submerged in introductions and shaking hands with staff.

Working at Blue Sea Divers the last few days has been a breath of fresh air. My fellow divemaster interns and myself have been getting acclimated to our new "office" while starting our Rescue Diver training. In the morning, fisherman haul in their catch while a fruit vendor carries on business steps from the front door. It's something out of a dream and the break from base routine could not have come at a more opportune time. I know the next 12 weeks will be an incredible experience.

Divemaster interns at the office

-Even though I've moved, should you consider sending any post my way, please send it c/o GVI Seychelles according to the contact details on the right sidebar-

Saturday, June 4, 2011

WK 9: The Beginning of the End of the Beginning

Mahe, Seychelles
Looking back on the week, it's a mind trip to think that there's just one week left on base before starting my Divemaster Internship. The last 9 weeks have been an incredible, eye-opening, and tumultuous voyage. I just can't believe this leg of the journey is nearly done. It's an interesting time, people have begun to stir, attempting to peer beyond the horizon in hopes of preparing for the future as they ready for the next wave.

*****

Week 9 was a pivotal week on base. Coral surveys were wrapped up and the sense that "this is it" began to weigh down on the expedition like an impending storm front. I was fortunate enough to begin my weekly adventures with a fun dive, followed by a number of successful surveys, and topped off with creative chaos in the kitchen for the final Friday Night BBQ. Moments and memories were made and shared, while laughs and smiles abounded. And yet, one could sense an undertone of unrest as the end of this phase approaches.

A fun dive is a rare treat, so having one on Monday was an unexpected surprise. Instead of spending an entire dive with my face inches from the substrate battling the surge, dodging urchins, and scribbling down details mercilessly on my dive slate, I had a chance to simply swim for fun with my dive buddies, Susie and Dan. We descended at Conception Channel (East Face) with no particular agenda other than to explore the site and, of course, have fun! We followed the contour of the granite reef, peering into crevices and under overhangs in search of megafauna and marveled at the site's natural beauty.

Work began on Tuesday, a Line Intercept and Invertebrate survey, with Amelia at Lighthouse (one of my favorite sites! The reef teems with life and is one of the more common places to spot turtles and other megafauna. Amelia and I completed our survey with time to spare, so we spent the rest of our bottom time exploring the site. As we neared the end of our dive time, Amelia spotted a large Marble Ray (about 1.5 meters!). We seemed to have a mutual curiosity with the creature, and spent the rest of our dive floating with our new-found friend.

Port Luanay, Mahe, Seychelles
The plankton pull and turtle dives were conducted routinely on Wednesday. Expedition members have been attempting to beat the all time record of 41 seconds. This phase Adam has set this phase's record at 43, but with one week left to go there is still a chance to set an all new best time. I am not in the contestant pool for best time. After my first plankton pull, I have been content to stick to Wednesday turtle dives, though they've all been turtle-less.

My BTEC Lead Day was rescheduled for Thursday, June 2, (the original date was marred by an unfortunate twist of fate). As BTEC Leader, I took on the roll of one of the staff members for the day, ensuring that base operations went smoothly and stayed on schedule. At 05:45, I joined the skipper to prepare the boat for the day's dives: writing up boat slates, preparing gear, and loading the boat for its morning launch. The rest of the day, I monitored base activities and led 2 successful (though difficult) Line Intercept Transect and Invertebrate surveys at Therese South.

The last Friday on base was a climactic day in 2 important ways: we completed the last of our coral survey sites and had our final Friday Night BBQ. Our last survey sites were conducted just around the channel at Port Luanay. The visibility was quite poor due to the high plankton concentration, but the site was beautiful nonetheless. My final survey took me into the shallow granite reef where I searched for invertebrates along the substrate and within the coral. Mindful of the surge, I successfully avoided a few urchins to the face and concluded my work triumphantly, surfacing with a smile and full slate of invertebrate data.

Kneading porridge bread
After surveying, I scurried off to the kitchen to prepare food for the BBQ. With supplies dwindling, I managed to pull together a carrot side salad and coconut lentil burgers while helping out with other edible endeavors- yummy! My carrot side salad was comprised of shredded carrot, freshly squeezed orange juice (including some natural pulp), and sliced frisiter topped with raisins and freshly shredded coconut (my hands are a battlefield- all scraped up from husking). The lentil burgers were a bit of an experiment. Patties were comprised of a mix of lentils, diced carrots, onion, ginger, garlic, as well as some oats and various spices. Each burger was rolled in shredded coconut and cooked in a pan until firm or when the coconut browned- delicious! At the end of the day, we had another delicious Friday Night BBQ to celebrate a week of hard work and a successful coral monitoring phase.