The Life & Thoughts of a SoCal Diver

Date: 9-9/10-06
Dive Location: Yukon, Ruby E, High Seas
Buddy(ies):Joel S. & Sean B.
Time: varied
Bottom Time: dives all varied between 25- 50 min
Max Depth: 106 ft
Vis: 10-20ft average for all 3 sites
Wave height:
Temp at depth: 52-54F
Surface Temp:70 deg.
Gas mix: Nitrox 32%

This was the "Wreck Diving Extravaganza" weekend organized by Joel Silverstein- 2 days of wreck diving off of the Lois Ann. Saturday's dives consisted of 2 Yukon dives, and 1 dive at the Ruby E.
Dive 1 was for the placing of Steve Donathon's plaque onto the bridge, so Joel and Tyler dropped down with the plaque, chains, and a padlock.. The rest of us followed shortly afterwards to watch them secure it onto the bridge.. the process took 10-15 min, then we all went our own ways to check out what was going on around the rest of the ship.. Vis was fairly nice, varying between 15-20 ft, maybe more. Nobody was disappointed with the conditions

Dive 2 consisted of 3 (I think) effortless trips around the entirety of the ship via Joel's "war pony" DPV.. Very relaxing to cruise slowly around the big ship, but I started getting cold from the lack of movement so I let go and went to check out one of the openings in the Yukon.. It was about 2 minutes before Joel realized that he'd "lost" me and came back, lol.. So hopped back on the DPV for another whirl around the ship, then headed back to the Lois Ann for some fooooood! Anita & Carl had lots of goodies for us to munch on all weekend & I'm pretty sure everyone appreciated them for that :-)
Dive 3 was a quick one, 30 min or so, to the Ruby E., but despite the short dive time I was amazed at all of the life on it that day! The Ruby is a beautiful sight to behold, covered in cup corals of differing shades of reds, pinks, and orange. Nudibranches, tons of fish, and great vis all made for a wonderful dive... I hated to cut the dive so short, but we had to get back to the rest of the world..

Rolled out of bed around 430am the next day, and everyone was back at the dock by 6-630am.. We headed out to sea around 7am to the High Seas wreck, somewhere off of Pt Loma. The ocean was flat, the day was absolutely perfect.. Dropped anchor, Tyler & Nate went down to make sure it was set securely.. and the rest of us dropped in a few minutes after them. When we hit 30ft on the descent, the water suddenly got ice cold~ that was the worst thermocline I've ever experienced. My face was stinging from the cold, and after just 30 or so min into the dive, I had to ascend because I was too cold.. The dive site was nice, full of life and it was awesome to dive a new wreck but I had to skip the 2nd dive... I did NOT want to go back down (105ft) into that cold water, 52F.. Brrrrrr....
The weekend was amazing- the dives, the weather, the divers, and the crew of the Loin Ann... really couldn't ask for a better weekend. Thanks to all of the people who were there for making it such fun

Joel & Tyler putting the plaque onto the bridge of the Yukon: