Dive Weekend Chincoteague VA. June 10&11.

Small Craft Warning*

Saturday started off with quite a stiff breeze from the northwest. Bob, our trusty Captain, assured us we would feel no pain until we reached the Monroe. Once we reached the site the rocking and rolling started. 5 of us suited up and went rolled in our usual order. Ron usually is in first. The rest of us were exhausted from helping him squeeze is enormous shoulders into that tiny dry suit.

It was a nice dive, 57-60 degrees, depending which temperature instrument we used, flounder abound, 15 to 20 feet of visibility and all this on the stern.

Then there was “FEAR FACTOR”.

As we were decompressing at our depth of choice, every thing was peaceful. The boat was bouncing around in the rough ocean, of which we knew before we rolled in. Just prior to surfacing, we realized the consequences choosing to dive in that rough ocean.

The Ladder was gyrating, slamming and flopping.

Well, we all made it out alive, with flounder. Ron got an 8lb flounder.

We opted not to try a second dive as the seas were getting worse. The trip home was brutal. Water was dripping everywhere from the sea splashing over the top of the boat. The usual AWD Dream Team was hard at work trying to be unconscious during the slamming and rolling and flying of hat, drinks, chips and dive gear. Karen, queen of the AWD Dream Team, got scammed out of a bunk.

No, that is not all drool from Ron.

*Title came from Matt’s beer, as well as there should have been one.

Has anybody seen land yet?

Collision Course

Sunday started off with a better forecast. Since the wind was coming from the same direction, we knew we would have smooth sailing heading for the Monroe.

Our first dive was great. We were anchored in the Engine, which gave everyone freedom to explore without fear of getting lost. Everyone came up with treasures which can only come from the sea, or your local supermarket, fish and lobster.

After lunch, people were chatting, napping and thinking about suiting up for our second dive.

Doug and Bobby were on the back deck, looking a sailboat in the distance as he appeared to be on a collision course with us. Assuming he would turn, it only caused a slight concern. Besides, when would a slow sailboat be a threat to a powerboat, even when anchored? It turned out he was neither small, nor slow.

As the sailboat did not seem to be altering his course, Bobby became more than just a little concerned.

We had this view for 30 minutes; it just got bigger and closer.

I took off my weight belt. Everyone stopped gearing up.

The boat was bearing down on us. We pulled in the safety line. Bobby started the engines and blasted 5 times (collision signal) with his horn. No response.

Just before taking drastic measures, Bobby tried 5 more blasts from the horn. That time it worked and the sailing yacht turned and missed us. I guess we woke him up. The estimate was 45 seconds until collision.

This picture does not do the situation justice!

4 of us went in for a second dive.

Penny