Catalina Backside

Saturday August 5th

 

Farnsworth Banks (2 Dives)  Black Rock (1 Dive)

 

Depth:  101/ 97/ 106

BT:  30"/ 22"/ 28"

Temps:  63'/ 64'/ 66

 

Headed out aboard the Great Escape with Reefseekers Dive Company (http://www.Reefseekers.com) early Saturday morning to the backside of Catalina for Farnsworth Banks.  The swell models showed 'iffy' conditions, however we were pleasantly suprised how calm the conditions actually were during the crossing.  Conditions presented the same as we rounded the West End.

 

The divers eagerly geared up to prepare for our adventure before us.  I was assigned to 'Tour' two divers.  I had a couple of minor issues, but once resolved, I was ready to take the plunge with my guys.  We met up at the anchor chain and dropped down to the top of one of the pinnacles at about 70'.  Immediately spotted a Hermissenda crassicornis.  Other sightings included Spotted Leather Star?; vast Purple Hydro Corals; Sculpins; Scorpion Fish; Chestnut Cowries; Spanish Shawls, Porters Chromodorid; cup corals; Strawberry Anemones; ect.  Due to great conditions, we did two dives at this spot.

 

Dive Three:  Black Rock (Frontside of Eagles Nest to the East)

 

BEAUTIFUL!!!  Vast rock formations and clusters; giant Bat Rays; school of YELLOW TAIL!  Since I was DMing, I made my dive short.  While hanging out doing my safety stop, I noticed a large ladder and a mast that laid over the rocks just below the boat.  Unfortunately I didn't have time to explore, but looks as if they had been there for some time due to all the growth on them.

 

It was interesting getting back to the boat.  As I was doing my safety stop, the boat was above me.  As I completed my stop, I looked up to see where I was in relation to the swim step, and boat had swung!  Ugh...so I had to swim over to the other side.  As I did this, the boat swung again!  So...it was back and forth an number of times before I finally surfaced to 'catch' the swim step.  LOL

 

All in all, a great day of DEEP diving.

 

Jan