SLS082011A - day two sunday

Pictures at http://www.schoonerconchpearl.com/ .Check them out.

The crew was up early and made it to flags at 07:45. Immediately after flags it was breakfast. We went to the head of the line because we still had to get into the pool and do the scuba skills review; something that would have normally been done the day before. We were behind schedule but had plans to make up the time.

So after breakfast it was off to the pools for the scuba review. Here the crew put on all of their scuba gear, hopped into the 10’ pool and went through a review of about 15 basic scuba skills. The crew did great and we were out of the pool in record time. We wrapped up the scuba gear into individual packages and headed over to the commissary to pack food and ice. Our drivers, Aaron and Dean, inventoried our food for us while we were in the pool which saved us more time. Thanks guys! We packed six large coolers with ice, loaded them and the food into the trailer and headed back to the scuba area to pack up everything else. In addition to the six coolers of ice, two coolers and numerous boxes of food there was also 28 scuba tanks, two weight crates and all of the scuba gear to go into the little trailer. It was full but it all fit. Lastly, all of the personal gear was packed into the back of the vans. We loaded up all of the crew and headed out for the 1 ½ hour drive to Stock Island. Stock Island is the island before Key West. It is where the Conch Pearl lives. It is too big to get into the Sea Base dock.

When we arrived at the marina we were greeted by Captains Denny and Holley. Because of road construction we could not park as close as usual so the crew really had their work cut out for them. Everything that had been packed into the trailer had to be moved to the Conch Pearl. It’s about a 75 yard walk with one set of six steps at the end. This was not an easy task considering it included the 28 scuba tanks and six large cooler packed with ice; but they did, without whining! (most crews have at least one whiner) Once everything was at the boat we loaded the food and ice, set up scuba gear, put away personal gear, had a detailed orientation by the Captains then had lunch. We were almost back on schedule so it would be two dives today! woo hoo!!!

We headed out into the little harbor, put up the mainsail and jib then headed out into the ocean. We sailed and motored to the dive site, Western Sambo ‘Haystacks’. On the way to the dive site Capt Denny gave another detailed orientation on how we would gear up and get into the water. When we got to the dive site Megan went in to do a conditions check and check on the jellyfish situation. As was mentioned yesterday, we have been having a real problem with moon jellies here in the Keys. Many of the old timers say they have never seen it so bad. Their sting is not deadly but in gives a good shock for a few minutes after stinging you.

Megan came back from her conditions check and gave to OK for the dive. I jumped in to watch the divers on my side on the boat. One at a time, watching for jellies, they jumped in and went back to the tag line. Once everyone was on the tag line we did one last buoyancy check and descended to the bottom. My group had one diver with ear clearing and mask issues so he went back to the boat. Once on the bottom we grouped up and started our led dive. The first dive is a led dive, where the divers take a tour with the dive instructors, Megan and myself (diverDave). The tour went very well; with everyone doing well enough for us to turn them loose on their own on the next dive. Getting back on the boat is the real challenge when there are lots of jellies. Everyone waits on the bottom, waiting for a ‘window of opportunity’ , then in pairs they surface and get back on the boat. Megan had a full body suit on so she blocked jellyfish from hitting the divers as then got on the ladder.

Everyone changed their tanks and most divers prepared for their second dive, a buddy dive. This is where they go off on their own, in buddy teams. I stayed on deck to watch the dive from the surface while Megan stayed in the water. The dive went well, with everyone making it back alive, despite the jellies.

We headed for the mooring, passing close to the ‘Sunset Festival’ that was going on in Mallory Square in Key West. Once moored we had a dinner of ‘crazy dream burgers’, so named because you have crazy dreams after eating them. Clean up went well then we had another orientation on anchor watch. Anchor watch consists of two crew members on a two hour watch throughout the night. Somewhere along the way I fell asleep.