Trip Report and Photos

Second Stage to Catalina Island

September 3, 2005

Story and Photos Elaine Jobin and may not be reproduced in part or whole without advanced written permission

On Saturday, the first day of my three day, Labor Day, dive fest I went on the Second Stage to Catalina Island. As is usual, the first thing I had to check out when I arrived at Ports O' Call were the Tall Ships docked near the parking lot.

Next, I got all my stuff tucked away on the boat.

As we departed I noticed some of the other people getting away for the weekend on the Catalina Express and a bait boat gearing up for the weekend sport fishing community.

Of special note, on board the Second Stage we had Andy Sallmon

And we also had , Nadja Brandt, the author of the recent story that appeared in Bloomberg.com on diving the Oil Rigs. Nadja wrote her story based on her experiences on this trip to the Oil Rigs.

Our first stop of the day was at Ship Rock. The dive boat Garibaldi was also at Ship Rock. Captain Jeff warned us that the Garibaldi has underwater speakers and that we might hear music from these speakers during our dive. We did in deed hear the music loud and clear and we couldn't decide if we liked diving to music or not. If I could have put in a request it would have been for Led Zeppelin"Whole Lotta Love" instead of the rock station that they were playing.

On toady's dive I didn't see the usual number of fish at Ship Rock. I wonder if the music scares them away. I did a swim all the way around and what I noticed is that the music made it real easy to find their boat - it was very loud and clear when I was on their side of Ship Rock.

Our next dive site was Eagle Reef. I took the close up equipment on this dive. I found a great angel shark in the sand but all I could photograph was his eye. An octopus was my other favorite find.

Topside I noticed that we were sharing Eagle Reef with a sport fishing boat. It is a big ocean and why they have to fish on our favorite dive sites is beyond me.

Our last dive was at the Rock Quarry. To my absolute delight I saw the Scythe Butterflyfish swimming out in the open. They were very camera and people shy but I was able to get a couple of photos. I worry about these beautiful and rare fish and worry about them every time I see people fishing near the Rock Quarry.

Right in line with worrying about fishing, right outside of the Rock Quarry cove I saw another sport fishing boat. When they chum so close to the marine preserve that is also in the area, is it any wonder people say marine preserves don't work.

After three great dives and being treated like kings and queens for a day on captain Jeff's boat, we returned to San Pedro.

Until next time.........

• Verification marine reserves work! Dr. Bill 12:13:35 10/11/05 (0)
• Fishing boat question Elaine 20:42:45 09/11/05 (6)
  • What about the fishing line? Sink or Swim 23:55:30 09/12/05 (0)
  • Re: Fishing boat question David V 22:49:49 09/11/05 (4)
    • I wonder about sharks Elaine 22:54:48 09/11/05 (3)
      • What was the name of the boat that was fishing off Casino Point protected area? Elaine 23:02:47 09/11/05 (2)
        • Re: What was the name of the boat that was fishing off Casino Point protected area? Dr. Bill 12:17:47 10/11/05 (0)
        • Freelance. nt Max Bottomtime 16:18:09 09/12/05 (0)
• Underwater music Max Bottomtime 19:31:14 09/11/05 (3)
  • Re: Underwater music Dr. Bill 12:20:17 10/11/05 (0)
  • exception Chris 20:00:13 09/11/05 (1)
    • Re: exception Max Bottomtime 20:24:09 09/11/05 (0)