Trip Report: Miami Night Dive 03/05/2008

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 7th March 2008, 02:25

It had been raining on and off much of the day leading up to this night dive, and this served to keep the ocean calm by the time we departed the dock for our destinations of the Orion, at 110 feet, and the DEMA Trader, at 70 feet. Netmage is still in recovery post PFO repair, and he is along for support and to take photos of the outing.

The trip was fast, and everyone was geared up and ready to go as Divemaster Amy hit the water to tie off. Unfortunately, upon her return to the surface, the report was that there was strong current most of the way down to the wreck. So, everyone got ready to deal with it.

Four of us on Optimas, and one diver on a Meg, hit the water along with others that were on open circuit. Almost immediately upon hitting the water, people began to get swept away in the current. One was able to halt his progression at the end of the safety line while another was swept beyond that, calling for the DM to swim out to try to assist. Meanwhile, the rest of us were inching forward and making our way down the line to the wreck against the strong Gulfstream currents that are routinely present here in South Florida.

At the bottom, we were able to shield ourselves agains the current by the wreck structure, and visibility was good. So, we had a nice dive of about 40 minutes or so of bottom time. The current actually improved somewhat over the course of the dive. So, the ascent was not so much of a problem.

On the second dive, the current situation was better. On this dive, we were able to travel through the wreck, spotting some nice creatures along the way.

After the return to the dock, everyone went for dinner and drinks, exchanging stories of our fun and misadventures of the evening. Another exciting chapter in Florida S.C.R.U.B.

**sfldiver** · 7th March 2008, 05:12

Sounds like you guys had an interesting Miami night dive! It's been a long time since I've done a night dive and even longer since I dove the Orion. I used to do a lot of good spearfishing on it back in the day, because of the adjacent reef that is easily accessible just off the side of the wreck - Often good for a nice size Mutton Snapper, or two - Ahhh, the good old days before diving rebreathers when spearfishing was Kosher! I guess I'll have to get out there on the next night dive with you guys.

Thanks for sharing!

Georges Gawinowski · 7th March 2008, 13:45

Thanks for a nice report.

Tienuts · 8th March 2008, 17:52

Sorry for the delay ladies, I have been very busy as of late.

Photos from the Miami night dive with RJ can be found here:

.Mac Web Gallery

Kudos to Tim for all of his great photography work. Tim you may be a stroke, but you take a hell of a good picture!

**sfldiver** · 8th March 2008, 22:23

Next time could you ask Eric to move the blah-looking Meg, it kind of messed up the pics being so close to the sharp-looking Optimas! Lol!!

Nice pics - Thanks Tony and Tim!

mriopel · 9th March 2008, 03:48

Cool pictures looks like every one had fun.

Mike

mempilot · 12th March 2008, 02:32

Tony and Tim,

Good job on the pictures!

Adrian,

I won't say anything about being the only Meg onboard a DR sponsored trip! I don't have any backup!

swadiver · 12th March 2008, 12:41

great job on the photos. i am taking the boat out this week, thurs and fri, anybody want to do a little diving?

mempilot · 12th March 2008, 14:17

What time are you going out? I can probably go out either or both days.

Eric

7th March 2008, 02:25	#1 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,138	Trip Report: Miami Night Dive 03/05/2008 It had been raining on and off much of the day leading up to this night dive, and this served to keep the ocean calm by the time we departed the dock for our destinations of the Orion, at 110 feet, and the DEMA Trader, at 70 feet. Netmage is still in recovery post PFO repair, and he is along for support and to take photos of the outing. The trip was fast, and everyone was geared up and ready to go as Divemaster Amy hit the water to tie off. Unfortunately, upon her return to the surface, the report was that there was strong current most of the way down to the wreck. So, everyone got ready to deal with it. Four of us on Optimas, and one diver on a Meg, hit the water along with others that were on open circuit. Almost immediately upon hitting the water, people began to get swept away in the current. One was able to halt his progression at the end of the safety line while another was swept beyond that, calling for the DM to swim out to try to assist. Meanwhile, the rest of us were inching forward and making our way down the line to the wreck against the strong Gulfstream currents that are routinely present here in South Florida. At the bottom, we were able to shield ourselves agains the current by the wreck structure, and visibility was good. So, we had a nice dive of about 40 minutes or so of bottom time. The current actually improved somewhat over the course of the dive. So, the ascent was not so much of a problem. On the second dive, the current situation was better. On this dive, we were able to travel through the wreck, spotting some nice creatures along the way. After the return to the dock, everyone went for dinner and drinks, exchanging stories of our fun and misadventures of the evening. Another exciting chapter in Florida S.C.R.U.B. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
(Offline)

7th March 2008, 05:12	#2 (permalink)
sfldiver S.C.R.U.B.'S Photographer Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 785	Re: Trip Report: Miami Night Dive 03/05/2008 Sounds like you guys had an interesting Miami night dive! It's been a long time since I've done a night dive and even longer since I dove the Orion. I used to do a lot of good spearfishing on it back in the day, because of the adjacent reef that is easily accessible just off the side of the wreck - Often good for a nice size Mutton Snapper, or two - Ahhh, the good old days before diving rebreathers when spearfishing was Kosher! I guess I'll have to get out there on the next night dive with you guys. Thanks for sharing! __________________ *Currently piloting & shooting...* Dive Rite O2ptima FX Rigged w/ a Dsix Custom Aluminum Frame, Nomad Wing, Transpac Harness and VR3 Computer w/ VPM-B/E & a 4th Cell Sensor Link.* Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera *Rigged in a Patima-PDCH 2008 G9 Aluminum Housing w/ an Inon UWL-100 Achromat Wide Conversion Lens, 2 Inon UCL-165M67 Close-Up Lenses and 2 Inon Z-240 Strobes.
(Online)

7th March 2008, 13:45	#3 (permalink)
Georges Gawinowski Mr Email Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Optima Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Miami Posts: 12	Re: Trip Report: Miami Night Dive 03/05/2008 Thanks for a nice report. __________________ Georges Gawinowski IANTD ITT "You Dive Like You Train" CCR - Cave - Trimix - Tek Wreck www.wdtdive.com
(Offline)

8th March 2008, 17:52	#4 (permalink)
Tienuts Chief Prankster Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 205	Re: Trip Report: Miami Night Dive 03/05/2008 Sorry for the delay ladies, I have been very busy as of late. Photos from the Miami night dive with RJ can be found here: .Mac Web Gallery Kudos to Tim for all of his great photography work. Tim you may be a stroke, but you take a hell of a good picture!
(Offline)

8th March 2008, 22:23	#5 (permalink)
sfldiver S.C.R.U.B.'S Photographer Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 785	Re: Trip Report: Miami Night Dive 03/05/2008 Next time could you ask Eric to move the blah-looking Meg, it kind of messed up the pics being so close to the sharp-looking Optimas! Lol!! Nice pics - Thanks Tony and Tim! __________________ *Currently piloting & shooting...* Dive Rite O2ptima FX Rigged w/ a Dsix Custom Aluminum Frame, Nomad Wing, Transpac Harness and VR3 Computer w/ VPM-B/E & a 4th Cell Sensor Link.* Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera *Rigged in a Patima-PDCH 2008 G9 Aluminum Housing w/ an Inon UWL-100 Achromat Wide Conversion Lens, 2 Inon UCL-165M67 Close-Up Lenses and 2 Inon Z-240 Strobes.
(Online)

9th March 2008, 03:48	#6 (permalink)
mriopel Sadly Missed (RIP) Current Rebreather/s: Optima Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: usa Posts: 167	Re: Trip Report: Miami Night Dive 03/05/2008 Cool pictures looks like every one had fun. Mike
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12th March 2008, 02:32	#7 (permalink)
mempilot Eric Stadtmueller Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 1,448	Re: Trip Report: Miami Night Dive 03/05/2008 Tony and Tim, Good job on the pictures! Adrian, I won't say anything about being the only Meg onboard a DR sponsored trip! I don't have any backup! __________________ Eric Stadtmueller, otherwise known as, MEM "Da Pilot"
(Online)

12th March 2008, 12:41	#8 (permalink)
swadiver Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2006 Location: southeast florida Posts: 115	Re: Trip Report: Miami Night Dive 03/05/2008 great job on the photos. i am taking the boat out this week, thurs and fri, anybody want to do a little diving?
(Offline)

12th March 2008, 14:17	#9 (permalink)
mempilot Eric Stadtmueller Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 1,448	Re: Trip Report: Miami Night Dive 03/05/2008 What time are you going out? I can probably go out either or both days. Eric __________________ Eric Stadtmueller, otherwise known as, MEM "Da Pilot"
(Online)

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