NSF Dive Talk

Posted 9:09 AM by Dan H

Diving in February

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17th

Todd R, Dan T, and Dan H got in a day of boat diving yesterday. The Air temps were in the upper teens/low 20's when we met at the dock. The river had completley iced over and it made an interesting crunching sound as we plowed through it on our way out (see photo). We experienced some delays due to the fact that the train bridge is still under going repairs, but the crew eventually got it open and we set a course for Gloucester. Seas were 3-4 ft in Beverly Harbor and gradually worsened as we passed the islands. By the time we made it to the area of the Chester Poling wreck, we hit some swell that were 6-8 ft. None of us were willing to leave the safety of the wheel house to tie onto the bouy, let alone trying to dive here. So we canned the idea and headed for the slighly calmer Misery Islands.

Dive #1 was the ocean side of Great Misery, Viz was 15-20ft, bottom temp was 36 @ 40ft. Dan H found an old, large boat engine (about 4 ft wide 5 ft high and 8-10 ft long) a 16-18 ft shaft was also found nearby, there was no sign of the propeller or any other clues of a wreck. As far as lobsters go, we didn't get any keepers, it was nothing but shorts and big eggers. A few scallops were collected. Dan T got the most unusual find of the day, a canine-like skull (later to be positivly ID'd as that of an adult Grey Seal. Wonder what kind of predator got him?)

Dive #2 was the inland side of the island. We were hoping for better conditions, but with the howling wind it was rough where ever we went. A few more scallops were picked up. Todd found a canyon that dropped off to 60 ft on the north eastern side of the island and headed off in search of lobsters, he managed 4 nice keepers. A hot soup and sandwich lunch followed there after. Black clouds on the horizon and warnings of even more severe weather caused us to cut the day a little shorter than we had planned.

All in all, it was a good day.