You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm. ~(Sidonie Gabrielle Colette) , 1873-1954, French novelist

Well, today was my first ever Jersey dive, my cherry popping couldn't go without a hitch though, but more on that later. I couldn't have picked a better day. It was like a lake out there today. Probably wont see that too often. I never realized people got up this early to go diving. I really need to go to the day shift at work, I'm just not used to getting up early anymore.

I met up with Mike on the dock in Brielle and we soon had our gear loaded up on the Tunaseazure. The mates on the boat didn't waste time busting my chops when I told them that this was my first North Atlantic dive, but were very accommodating and helpful in between the jibs and jabs.

The Tunaseazure as many of you already know is a pretty quick boat and in about 30 mins we were tied in to the Pinta and gearing up for the dive. Mike and I let everyone get in and we took our time gearing up. John one of the mates today was assigned guard duty and geared up with us for our first dive. Once in, John led us down the line to the wreck. He hung out for a few mins to make sure everything was ok and soon was on his way looking for some dinner. Being that I knew I was going to be task overloaded, I was not really interested in bugs or fish on my dive. I was just more concerned with getting around the wreck.

There were lots of little starfish, sponges and anemone looking thingys on the wreck. Sorry if I don't know the proper terminology but I guess I will get it the more I go out. The Pinta was carrying a load of teak wood when it collided with another ship and you can see the cargo laying about. The wreck is laying on it's side and is pretty intact which makes for a little easier navigating.I stuck to the old left shoulder out right shoulder back thing. Mike had his pole spear and there were other divers with spearguns, they had plenty to shoot at. There was sea bass and tog on the wreck although they were pretty skittish. After what seemed like a quick dive I headed up the line for a safety stop and a surface interval. Note to self, Do not white knuckle the line. You can get queasy underwater.

It was a nice surface interval, although I was queasy the whole time and soon everyone was gearing up for the second dive of the day. Once again Mike and I preferred to let the killers get in the water first and took our time getting ready. Got everything, check, air on, check, fins, check, lights, check, reel, check...Ok it's clear the mate yells and I give the ok sign splash down and start making my way down the line. Mike splashed after me and could hear him hit the water. But wait....water, why do I feel water? I think I have a leak let me head up and check. I think I have a little leak I told the mate. I can see your underwear he yells back..I wasn't zipped up. Can you believe it, I had water to my knees. hahaha

Mike said he would wait on the bottom at the anchor. So I headed up and Capt Bill was kind enough to lend me some dry underwear. They were huge on me but after about 10 or 12 mins I splashed and started to head down.. It felt like the current had picked up and I was having some buoyancy issues. Maybe the bigger underwear? I was struggling to pull myself down the line and after a few mins of that I scrubbed the dive and turned around. Mike had actually passed me on the line on his way up and we met on the surface. After a few min everyone else was on board. A few sea bass and tog came up along with a few lobster.

All in all it was a great experience. You learn a lot on a Jersey boat dive, different gear configurations, where to clip different things. I know I will be making a few changes to my gear. Things just seemed a little out of reach so I have to move a few rings around and maybe add a few more. One thing though, I don't think I will forget to zip up again although i'm sure there will be more stories and learning experiences to come. Looking forward to it.


Jay

great job....should have this bronzed....your first (of many) trip report!

Thanks Chery, My story is getting around arlready...Hmm A little bit of a mishap but without mistakes there would be no learning experiences. LOL


Jay

dont think for a minute that you are alone on this learning curve...... oh the stories that could be told.....

Being able to admit to them and laugh..... goes a long way ....... more experienced divers will read about your foils and give you tips and hints to help you out.....

my first tip to you..... always zip your drysuit.......

awsome. i remember my first dive on the tuna seazure. captain bill and his mates are a really nice group, and damn that boat takes off.

“Strong people make as many and as ghastly mistakes as weak people. The difference is that strong people admit them, laugh at them, learn from them. That is how they become strong.” Richard J Needham


Thanks Cheryl, I don't think I will forget to zip up anytime soon.

Jay,

Sorry I was away for a few day, and I just read your report for the first time now, on Sunday evening. Yes, it was a really nice time. You won't often go out on your first dive to find "Lake Atlantic". You have been spoiled not just by the surface conditions, but by a fast and well run boat. You can't control the conditions, but you can control who you go out with. This was my first time on the Tuna Seazure, and I must say that I was impressed. If anyone of you guys from the boat are reading this, I want go get on that "special" mailing list....


Let's not forget the dolphin we saw on the surface interval, or the Tog that Jim caught. I attached a few pics, but nothing specular.

Mike


Jim with his fish


Gearing up


Jay on his FIRST NJ wreck dive on the Tuna Seazure!

after my first dive on the tuna seazure i knew i could never go back to the other dive boat i used. its a great boat