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THE BRITISH SUB-AQUA CLUB established 1953 - DIVING FOR DIVERS (LINK CHECK 22/8/2008)
CONTACT MARINE DIVERS: info@marinedivers.com Tel: (852) 2656 9399 / 9194 0221, Fax: (852) 2656 9399ARTICLESDIVE MARSHAL REPORTSARTILLERY RAMP / LITTLE PALM BEACH9 Feb 2003COLD BUT CLEARING Marine Divers - BSAC Special Branch 2292 Mike Fountain (PADI Rescue Diver) from Belgium contacted Marine Divers to arrange a dive over the weekend. Of course we were pleased to accommodate him on his first dive in Hong Kong. So a trip was arranged for Sunday, meeting at USRC at 0930 - a bit later than usual to monopolise midday sun (if it decided to show) over the dive sites, to be back around 1400. Mike turned up on time. While I finished my breakfast we chatted about his experience and what he could expect on the dives. This would be his 70th dive. He has dived some good spots before - Red Sea, Canaries, and some not so good - Belgium (low viz), Brazil! Departing at 0945, traffic was light due to CNY. Stopping at a petrol station to pick up some snacks (DIVE magazine recommends Snickers for between dives.....honest!!!) Arriving at Artillery Ramp (AR) at 1020, I showed Mike the site, explaining its history, the lie of the land, discussed the dive, indicating the proposed route. Checked Mike's qualification card and logbook. Weather wasn't bad, no wind, slight sea state onshore, 16-21C air temp, but overcast, no sun showing through to warm us up yet). Mike was then kitted out with suitable gear - 2 suits for the colder water (approx 16-17C) giving approx 6mm thickness. I decided just to use my two dive skins to test the water. Kit was assembled and checked - particularly important as Mike hadn't used Buddy BCDs before, being used to his own Mares HUB. Taking it easy, no rush, once gear was ready, a full formal dive brief was given, particularly stressing and confirming BSAC signals and equivalent PADI ones. we kitted up rapidly having pre-rigged our gear the day before. A full buddy check and final reminders. Dive 1 - ARTILLERY RAMP Passing other dive operators, we entered the water over a cobble beach, then executed a buoyancy check and equipment check, while getting used to the cold water. Mike needed a couple of rocks. We descended on our first dive at 1120, intending to find The Car and make 12m. Usual route: due North, heading for The Car. Checking Mike OK frequently, ensuring buoyancy OK, and not too cold. I felt it on my head as no hood, and hands as only thin gloves. Viz better than before Xmas, but still a bit murky - needed sunlight to brighten things up a bit. Not much suspended matter. A bit of debris close to the beach being swept in by waves and tide. Over the rocks / concrete debris from when the ramp was blown up, checking for Seahorses (zilch) to the sandy area. Pointed out Diadema as dangerous and to swim above. Stopped for a check, start looking for the debris around the car. Continuing on 360, over one tyre, found The Car Seat - turn half right, The Car emerging out of the gloom. Its getting a bit compressed now, so doesn't show as such a large target. At The Car, stopped while Mike had a look around. Not as many fish as usual - must be on holiday. Brown Cardinals, Chinese Demoiselle. No sign of the large Squirrel fish that used to be there - guess the "Sport" Spearfishermen got it. Ditto no sign of the Moray that used to inhabit the chassis beams. Continuing on north to get 12m as soon as possible to allow more time for exploration on the way back. After a few minutes, at 10m we were lucky to spot The Pot - an earthenware plant pot which I had previously tipped on its side and emptied out some of the debris contents which had been amassed by an occupying Octopus, which had not been seen for some time. There was a pile of debris - rocks, broken pottery etc spilling out of the pot - not how it had been when I left it. Doubtful other divers would do this - could the Ockie be back? On looking into the pot, there he was!! (Well maybe a different one!) Could only see its tentacles, about 25mm diameter, so a pretty large critter. Showed Mike - happy diver!! Hopefully we would have time on way back to take another look. Didn't want to stop too long - conscious of the water temperature. So on further over the now almost featureless sandy bottom. A lot of algae growing over the surface. No sign of any eel holes or rays. At 12m indicate turn round, checked air, confirmed new bearing 180, OK, off we went, retracing our route. Turned out we were a bit left of our outward track, so missed The Pot. The new track took us over rocky areas with many Anemonefish - usually possible to see Scorpionfish, but not on this occasion. At 6m indicated to do a 1 minute safety stop while we swam on looking for The Car. Spotting the front bumper, change direction half left, soon saw the main debris. While I stopped at the front, let Mike swim around a bit before heading west 270 towards the western rock ridge of the site. Crossing the sandy bottom, soon reached the rocky area, followed the margin rock / sand until reached the ridge wall. Turned south, many green urchins on the rocks. Over the rocks back to the Ramp, looking for Seahorse, checking every bit of rope or wire (their preferred holdfast). Checking the sandy patches for any signs of Rays - one large Milk Spot Puffer half buried in the sand. Passed the end of the ramp on our right, with bits of tractor. To the eastern rock wall where often get baby Barracuda - non today, bit early in the year. Back to the cobble pile indicating the exit point. Signalled up as 30 minutes, and had covered the planned route. Checked Mike OK on the surface - warm enough, apparently much better conditions than gets in Belgium. With only dive skins, was a bit cool, but bearable, but who needs to suffer - next dive will try out my new Semi-Dry. Exit the water, chat with Craig from Prodive. Back up the path to the van, completed the Dive Marshal (DM) slate with our dive details, dekit, load up, check in by phone with base. Drive off to Little Palm Beach (LPB) for the second dive - to give Mike another site to log, with the possibility at this time of year of stingrays on the sand in the shallows. No problem parking, even so late in the day, sailing centre not so busy. Again showed and explained the site to Mike, what we might see. Kitted up, this time I struggled into my semi-dry (checked out previously in the pool), why I dont like Neoprene suits! SEEDS Brief, final reminders. Tide out, so could be a long swim to 6m. Surface Interval over 1 hour, had time for a snack, ready to go. What we saw Bronze Cardinal Dive 2 - LITTLE PALM BEACH An easy entry down the concrete ramp - really clear water and no waves - like a swimming pool. Buoyancy check for the new kit configuration. Too buoyant, so threw a pile of rocks into my pockets. Descended at 1256, Set off on the usual course - 330, heading for the rubble reef. Missed the reef - probably slightly east, continued on to 6m, passing occasional rocks with anemone and Anemonefish, some a bit aggressive defending their patch. At 6m nothing to do put turn round, heading slightly left on 170 to find the reef. More interesting landmarks to stop and take a look at - rocks with fishing nets trapped - will make a useful site clearing exercise later in the year. Toasty in my new suit, but with a tendency to go inverted as legs buoyant (will need some ankle weights) - not a problem as gets body off the deck, so inspect objects upside down without stirring up the bottom. Continuing in to 4m, then turning west 270 as planned - probably still north of the reef, but keen to check the sandy bed. Angled slightly south 250 heading for the western side of the bay. Came across the quarry rocks indicating the reef, turned to swim around it, showing Mike the prolific small fish, Mike spotted a large Leatherjacket (filefish). No sign of the Outboard Motors (OBM), the rope leading to the fish trap etc - someone musty have done a cleanup. Pity as these are always something to investigate. (Sometimes it is better to leave certain debris as it provides habitats for critters. Nets of course tend to trap so need removing) Still heading 250, till reached 25 mins elapsed time, air still 150 bar or so, turned south to the rock / sand margin looking for rays and crabs (zilch). Hit the rocks in 1.5m, turned east to return to the ramp. At 45 mins, surfaced just west of in line with the ramp at 1341. Still plenty of time, no need to rush off anywhere. Checked OK, air etc. Air left, so resubmerged to head across the ramp into the rocky bottom area beyond, hoping for Seahorses. Very buoyant due to lower air, so stayed on surface in 1 - 1.5m water. Nothing much else of interest, plenty of cowrie and other shellfish. Back over to the ramp, followed its eastern edge deeper (sometimes there can be fish hiding there) to the marker buoys. Signalled surface. What we saw 2 Bar cardinal Chat while standing on the ramp, all OK, enjoyed the dives, not
too cold. Sun now coming out a bit. A slow walk up the ramp, completed
the DM slate, dekitted, debriefed, Mike changed to go to a friends
house on the way back. Checked in with base - meet Anna at USRC at
1500. As usual a fun day diving with Marine Divers, even though it was a bit cold, it was comfortable. What are you waiting for? Go for it!! Call us now to arrange a trip.
OFF PAGE MARINE DIVERS CALENDAR 2008 / 2009 CONTACT MARINE DIVERS: info@marinedivers.com Tel: (852) 2656 9399 / 9194 0221, Fax: (852) 2656 9399 |
