Dive #184 - Rich Torkington's Dive Log
© Copyright 2010 Rich Torkington Mesa, Arizona

PREVIOUS 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 HOME INDEX Next

Bottom Time to Date:

159h
50m


Dive Info:

Dive Start:
10:30AM

Bottom Time:
61 minutes

Maximum Depth:
69 feet

Safety Stop:
3 minutes

Beginning Air:
3000 psi

Ending Air:
400 psi

Weather Conditions:
Clear 80°F

Surface Conditions:
Calm

Surface Water Temperature:
78°F

Bottom Water Temperature:
78°F

Visibility:
100+ feet
184
TITLE
* * * *
March 19,
2004
THE ZOO
LIGHTHOUSE ATOLL, BELIZE
NIGHT DIVE
Linda, Janel, and John
Turneffe Island Resort - Belize
http://www.turnefferesort.com/
Photo
See what we caught?
Photograph by Guest in Belize 2004 
Dive Journal: Our flight day is tomorrow, and so this will be our last dive of the trip. TIL policy is to make this a divers’ choice, so Janel suggests the Zoo again, to the agreement of all.

As has been common on our Turneffe dives, we again are immediately treated to the gorgeous flyby of a spotted eagle ray early in the dive. This time, another one slides by – nice.

Janel and I spot 2 colorful white spotted filefish, one in its orange phase. We also come across several big nurse sharks asleep under a ledge, who eventually swim off. I find another cleaning station, this time with 2 blue cleaner shrimp down in a crevice. I place my hand close to the opening, and both of them scurry up with their feelers extended to see what I am. Pretty neat.

Nearing our exit, Bo locates a fairly large and inaccessible overhang, but we are able to find several openings from the top and peer down into it. Three big nurse sharks are resting there, sort of lying across one another. Bo and I check out various vantages and the sharks eventually start stirring. It’s an interesting viewing of them all huddled together.

It’s our last dive for this trip, so we savor the extra long boat trip back across Turneffe Atoll to our island.

We all enjoy an extra long happy hour today, and some of the divers decide to pose for a few pictures. They eventually pull down a taxidermed permit from the wall, and create a few see-what-I-caught pics with much hilarity. The entire Lodge soon sits down to a great barbecue prepared outside despite the high winds and intermittent rain, and afterwards we create a hermit crab race that draws plenty of participants.

Divemasters, please take note. Bo is one of the best divemasters we’ve ever had the pleasure to dive with. His formula for success, through my eyes:

  • Professional, never vocally critical of anything or anyone
  • Complete but quick dive briefings
  • Knows all his divers by name
  • Not talkative, doesn’t try to entertain too much, but very approachable
  • Nevers paces the group, but rather gently steers it at the clients’ pace
  • Points out cool things underwater, but only if the other divers don’t see them
  • Has affection, respect, and interest for underwater creatures, and shows it underwater
  • Only pays attention to your diving if you demonstrate or request that you need it

In short, Bo is an experienced professional that has seemingly found a perfect balance with his customers.

A few words about Turneffe Island Lodge. This is a private island resort that really has its act together. The diving operations are super comfortable, very well run, ready when you are, the dive sites are close, and the underwater sights are excellent. The accomodations are beautiful, always clean, great outdoor shower, they even turn down your bed at night. The eating is equally excellent, great meals prepared and served.

More
Dive
Info:
Fins:
Mares Avanti Quattro
Computer:
U S Divers Matrix
Tank:
80 ft3 Al
BCD:
SeaQuest Spectrum 4
Dive Type:
BOAT, Cool Dive
Body of Water:
Caribbean Sea
Mask:
U S Divers
Protection:
3mm full wetsuit
Regulator:
SeaQuest
Spectrum XR2
plus Oceanic
Slimline octopus
Weight:
8 lb
Water Type:
Salt
Video Equipment:
None