Advanced Diving Technologies - the Bay Area's leading technical diving headquarters!
 
 
Scuba Diving International
 
Technical Diving International
 
Divers Alert Network
 
Sunday Closed
Monday 2 - 6
Tuesday 2 - 6
Wednesday 2 - 6
Thursday 2 - 6
Friday 2 - 6
Saturday 11 - 4

home > after > reports

After Action Reports
Don't miss the boat. Our next dive trip is Sunday, Nov 07. Get on board today!
Check out more pictures in our Photo Gallery!
Add your experiences and photos to our reports. Contact us to find out how.

Diving Outer Pinnacles and Amentos
August 16, 2009
Story by Sharon E.
Conditions have been good and the ADT team headed out for diving. On August 16, a small group on the Escapade, all seasoned divers, motored to Carmel. This am was overcast and the sea supported wind chop with waves about 4’. As we approached Carmel, we selected Outer Pinnacles. One of the more pristine sites, we looked forward to jumping. The surface was a bit bumpy so we took no time to gear and get off. Les and Teri slipped in their rigs and were gone. Sharon and Shawn went off the stern, threaded through the surface kelp and descended the anchor line. Lastly Bill and Chris donned their twin cylinders and slid in the ocean. This is the season for jellies and they were clearly joining us. The orange sea nettles were all around, fortunately descending fins first allowed you to clear a path to avoid a facial sting. Soon near the bottom of 79’, we kicked along the face of the pinnacle in about 15’ viz. Navigation was easy, topo on the right, then turn or circle the structure. This site supported strong, healthy life. The face of the pinnacle was carpeted with bright pink strawberry anemones with palm kelp sprouting all through the site. Les and Teri were up front running the reel. It was dark and presented about 4’ surge. You patiently swung back and forth to reach the next rock. We saw lots of nudibranches. Many varieties of red, purple, pearly white and yellow. They were all here. The chorinactis were beautiful on this site. – pinks, coral and lavender. After about 29 minutes, we were back on the anchor and in the jellies. Again you took extra care to “fend off’ these jello bubbles. As you gazed up, there were 5 million of them drifting in the current. Many were baseball size but there were some big guys too. Some of the jellies lit up like neon signs and the colors pulsated. Soon back on the boat, we marveled about our experiences. The surface was picking up so we headed back to the Bay, maybe we could get some better viz and calmer surface.
The next dive was on Amentos. The surface here was flat! So those feeling a bit green could relax and feel better. Les and Chris geared and hit the water. Soon Sharon and Teri were over the side as well. Meeting up with Les, we meandered thru the site. The top of the reef was 50’ with the bottom at about 67’. Here we enjoyed about 40’ viz! We saw many red abalones and scallops adhered to the reef. Many ling cod perched on the rocks –were they just waiting for us? Amentos is known for its nudibranches. As we looked closely we found Spanish Shawls and saw many sea cucumbers, anemones, brilliant hues of sponges to list a few. It seems like every cold water starfish lives on this site too. All too soon it was time to surface.
Now at 30’, we were back in the jellies. Seemed like even more –but we had to hang among them. While focused on the jellies in front and to the left, Sharon missed fending off the one that came over her right shoulder. Bam! Got cha! She experienced an on fire, electric shock to the right side of the face and across her lips. Nothing you could do due to the safety stop requirement. Being in the cold sea water, expedited the salt water rinse recommended as first aid. All was ok. Once surfacing, one continued to dodge the jellies as the exhaust bubbles pushed the jellies to the surface. Reporting the sting, Jim pulled out the vinegar. Chris, Teri and Sharon shared the remedy. In spite of nature’s little mishap, we had two great dives and on the journey back the sun was peeking out. What a wonderful day on the ocean.
Join us soon!

For more pictures from the trip, check out our Photo Gallery. Do you have some pictures you would like to add to the gallery? Contact us!

Did you miss out? Our next dive trip is Sunday, Nov 07. Call us today to book your next dive!
Back | Top
training | travel | products | escapade | got gas? | after action | links | about us | contact us
Copyright ©2004 Advanced Diving Technologies. All rights reserved.
design by RKLinc
hosting by RKLhost.com