ScubaMarco Club Aquarius Captains Chronicles October‘07 v6

Diving - Clubs After skipping September’s meeting (we skipped all the way to the Cay Sal Banks) the club will meet again this Thursday October 4th. Please join us for friends, fun, food and the yummy liquids we wash it down with at the shop around 6:30. I will have rough (unedited) video of the Nekton live aboard trip but my final production will have to wait. Got some great footage of a seahorse and jackknife fish and a lot of other cool clips. One is of Scuba Bruce (now called ‘Velveeta’) unfurling a banner reading "DIVE # 100". Congratulations B. In just over a year that’s AWESOME!!! Everyone come a do a shot of rum with the smooth cheese. Once again for my partners S.T.M. challenged: meeting today or tomorrow. That’s a big 10-4 good buddy!Diving - TravelThe PLAYMATE live aboard was once again sweet this September. Good weather 6 years in a row! Sal took the biggest lobster award. It looks huge in the picture we have at the shop, but then again it’s Sal in the background. I’m thinking of adding a trip in early March. The water’s cooler and the weather can be sketchy, but lobster are still in season and the black grouper run big. Talk to me if you’re interested, the dates are 2/29/08 to 3/2/08. Same cost: $850.Diving - Local September ‘07Early September continued the vis reversal, clearer water closer in. The Scorpion only made one September trip (last Wednesday), to the 9 mile reef. Vis was in the 15 foot range and the current was significant over the full moon. Only a couple goliaths sighted, better tighten their restrictions. No snook either? Snapper and grouper very sparse also. The newer 600 ton drop (2001) on the 9 mile reef has been a bit puzzling to me. In 2004 that spot was loaded. Dozens of big gags and mangs in every crevice. Since hurricane Wilma the fish have declined. The reef was definitely knocked down and around. Probably more so than other similar structures in the 40 foot range because of its age. Red tide sure didn’t help fish stocks either. Things that make me go hmmm. Glad the underwater realm still gives me cause to wonder and amazement. Wish I felt the same fascination for the rest of the world.Dave Brink has been spending a lot of time on the computer with his mistress, the mystery of the paddle wheeler. I was about to type ‘poor Pam’ but with her zest for the water I guess they’re more of a happy swinging threesome. Great job on the site Dave, be sure to check it out:http://contrails.com/paddlewheel/I guess I’ll keep it to one page. Out of time, energy, and enthusiasm (it’s the waning moon).The Gator defeat may also still be lingering. Please come revitalize me! Bring the kids and/or friends Thursday. Let’s plan some local stuff. PEACE / LOVE / HAPPINESS > Be a kelp hugger, trees involve gravity, yuck!