Dive #188 - Rich Torkington's Dive Log
© Copyright 2010 Rich Torkington Mesa, Arizona

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Bottom Time to Date:

163h
35m


Dive Info:

Dive Start:
8:26PM

Bottom Time:
59 minutes

Maximum Depth:
48 feet

Safety Stop:
3 minutes

Beginning Air:
3000 psi

Ending Air:
1000 psi

Weather Conditions:
Clear 81°F

Surface Conditions:
Calm

Surface Water Temperature:
77°F

Bottom Water Temperature:
77°F

Visibility:
60+ feet
188
TITLE
* * * *
July 26,
2004
RMS RHONE - STERN SECTION
SALT ISLAND, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
NIGHT BOAT DIVE
Linda, Janel, and John
Cuan Law Liveaboard
British Virgin islands
http://www.bvidiving.com/
Photo
Late in the day aboard the Cuan Law
Videograph by Rich Torkington in BVI 2004 
Dive Journal: We enjoy more delectable gourmet food for dinner, and we’re getting the idea that fabulous food in large amounts is the norm aboard the Cuan Law. The crew works hard on the boat – part of the reason must be so they don’t turn into blimps. We stay anchored off Salt Island, and when night falls, we are lucky to have the Rhone all to ourselves.

We dive the stern section again, but at night the wreck takes on a wholly different character. There are stunning orange cup corals and bright colored encrusting sponges everywhere. The ship’s structures appear in high relief in the shadows cast by our dive lights. There are long-spined and variegated urchins cruising about all over the wreckage.

The regular night creatures are here, too, including a few new players. A small octopus appears early on but quickly disappears. A free swimming spotted moray slinks by. In the periphery of our dive lights, we see a few huge dog snappers, who are attempting to nab smaller fishes illuminated by our lights. We come across a Spanish lobster near the mooring rope, always a treat.

A humongous clinging crab is hunkered into a section of the ship. Beneath him on the sand we spot a very large true tulip, probably 9 or 10 inches long. Horse-eye jacks zoom about above us as I examine a giant basket star wound around some soft corals. Good bioluminescence on our exit – love those night dives! I especially like the way Cuan Law plans them to start about 8:30pm, when it’s truly dark already.

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Dive
Info:
Fins:
Mares Avanti Quattro
Computer:
Oceanic Véo 200
Tank:
80 ft3 Al
BCD:
SeaQuest Spectrum 4
Dive Type:
BOAT, Cuan Law
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