As we left Captain Hook’s dock for the deep Thunderbolt Wreck I counted 6 instructors on board the Reef Hopper. I always try to asses the divers on board for this challenging dive and I do not believe I have ever been more confident in our divers abilities. Jeanette and I were the last to enter the water. As we descended the mooring line we were treated to millions of champagne bubbles. When we reached 90 feet we paused on the line to watch the 400-pound JewFish hanging lazily off the starboard side of the Thunderbolt. We penetrated the wheelhouse to take a look at the cable wheel used for laying mines. While releasing the Reef Hopper from the mooring the current was so slack I was able to pull the Reef Hopper toward me to allow enough line to cut her loose. From the Thunderbolt we headed northwest to Barbara’s Reef. Anchored along side the north ledge we made our descent and headed west. On the small coral patch on the west end of Barbara’s we found a Turtle resting in the reef. While he did not want that much company he took his time coming out of the reef and swam in an unconcerned manner across the sand. Just as we were coming under the Reef Hopper to end our dive a small Southern Stingray gracefully glided beneath us skimming the sand and moving to the south.
We found the current had picked up in the afternoon when we reached Elbow Reef. We started our dive along the south ledge heading east. As we made the rectangular path around the Elbow we saw numerous Flamingo Tongue and several Spiney Lobsters. For our next dive we went west to Pillar Patch. We began our dive on the north side of the Pillar Corals and worked our way from sand hole to sand hole heading east. During our dive we spotted several Black Grouper, two BalloonFish, and a Spotted Moray. One of the BallonFish was hiding in a Sponge Barrel peeking out at us.
With 3 divers and 4 snorkelers on board we set a course due south as we rounded marker 1. At Samantha’s Reef we anchored in the east sand hole and waited for the Reef Hopper to settle into the East wind. Since the current was easterly we started our dive to the west and enjoyed 60 plus feet of visibility. During our dive we saw a juvenile TrunkFish, several Sea Urchins and numerous Spinney Lobsters.
Our second site was a half-mile east at Horseshoe Reef. We anchored so the Reef Hopper would lie next to the northwest leg of Horseshoe where the best ledges are found. We dove an east course along the north ledge seeing a ScorpionFish and schools of Grunts and Snappers. When the north ledge turned into a hillside, we crossed the reef to the inside ledge and continued east. On the inside ledge we saw a Juvenile Drum, Coral Banded Shrimp, and a pair of Squid. While the Squid were timid, they did allow us to get fairly close.
Jeanette came from England to take her Advance course in the first warm water she has ever dove. Dan and Barbara stopped by our booth at the Atlanta Dive Show. The blue line was out in deep water so we headed east to Shark Harbor. Jeanette worked on her Peak Performance Buoyancy skills and enjoyed diving without a drysuit for her first time. We moved further east to Critter Ridge for our second site. In 30 fsw we anchored on the south side so the southeast wind would place us over the reef. We saw a solitary Coral Banded Shrimp in a large Barrel Sponge. A Giant Green Moray coiled its way through the reef looking for food.
In the afternoon the winds remained calm keeping the seas at 1 foot or less. Jeanette came with us for two more dives and was joined by Alan from Canada. We stopped at Pillar Patch to find 35 feet of visibility. A Southern Stingray swam across the north sand hole and over the small patch ledge on the west side of the site. As we crossed the flats heading back to the Pillar Coral stand we were greeted by the resident school of Amberjack. On the eastern ledge we found a Spiney Lobster eating from a Bivalve Shell. Our last stop for the day was the Stake. No sooner had we made our descent than we saw a large Porcupine Puffer hiding in a small hole in the reef. Just as we came over the southern edge of the reef a Nurse Shark swam from the reef, heading southwest across the sand. With sea temperatures at 84F/29C it was quite warm yet still refreshing.
On the morning trip we went to Samantha’s Reef for our first dive. Larry was completing his Open Water Dives 3 and 4 with John while Mike was Captain. I was sorry I missed talking to Charlie. (Greg). Charlie was one of our first graduating rescue divers. Congratulations, Larry, well done. Alan and Heather, we enjoyed your company all week.
The winds had calmed slightly to 15 Knots out of the NNE keeping the seas at 1 to 2 feet and visibility around 35 feet. For our second dive we headed east to Horseshoe Reef. The Reef Hopper swung from the south leg to the north leg as the winds increased.
In the afternoon, Ed and Nancy were diving while Jennifer and Chet were snorkeling. We stopped at Pillar Patch for our first dive. The winds increased to 19 Knots and were now out of the east. The current and surge also became strong causing visibility to decrease to around 25 feet. From our descent we headed north across the sand to the stand of Pillar Coral. We swam to the north side and headed east to swim into the current. The surge presented difficulties for taking pictures of the divers so we concentrated on the marine life. We noticed a Yellow Stingray hunting for food along the sand hole on the north east side of Pillar Patch and two Spiny Lobsters challenging each other. Next we moved to Elbow Reef hoping to find the line of blue water pushing closer. With no change in conditions, we anchored in the sand on the south side of the patch. Upon descent we swam around to the north side to start our dive into the current. We had to work hard to prevent losing ground as we paused to take pictures. Once we reached the south side for our return it was similar to a drift dive as we glided effortlessly along the reef. We did take several nice pictures of Brain Corals and several Flamingo Tongues. At the end of our dive we all agreed, while challenging, we had a very enjoyable dive. Thanks to all for the great dives and great company.
These three fishermen known as the Italian Kamikaze Unit (IKU), attacked the fish in Marathon like they were on a mission. With one of the more colorful catches of the year and the greatest variety, even the threat of the IKU was after these fish made them jump into the boat. Don't kid yourself Marathon will never be the same.
Capt. BJ Meyer's charter got this one and one larger on April 28 near Captain Hook's Marina with clients Fred from Rocky Mount NC and Henry from Richmond VA.
These are pictures came to us by Dan Cypher. Dan is a Michigan resident that come down to work with us in the winter. It is also where our family started out. Baby, it's cold up there!! Someone also told me they played a prank on me, what do you think?
Felix is taking his Enriched Diver course while diving the Thunderbolt Wreck and a popular reef, the Horseshoe. Marathon diving is the best kept secret in the Keys.
