Cape May Reef 6/24/2012

Manny-Yunk II

Some of our catch

The Manny-Yunk II with four divers hit the Cape May Reef today. Sean, Kevin, Jeremiah Hupka, and me.  We had room for other divers, but none came through since it was a last minute thing.  Weather was perfect and seas were pretty flat. We saw dolphin on the way out and back.

Dive #1 was on the Hooters Reef:  49 minutes runtime, 63 degrees, 79' max. depth,  viz 10'-12'.  She is not as intact as the link shows, and was in many pieces with a few areas of 10' relief.  Fish and lobsters came to visit us on the surface.

Dive #2 was on the subway cars. 47 minutes runtime, 63 degrees, 61' max. depth, viz. 15'.  Most were collapsed on themselves, but there were a few that still had some portions still standing.  There were also a few reef balls mixed in with the subway cars.  There were loads of fish, and many were brought to the surface.

Jeremiah Hupka getting psyched to shoot things.

Dive #3 was on the Salt Barge.  31 minute runtime, 64 degrees, 62' max. depth, viz. 10-15'.  This was a fun dive since the current was so strong.  It felt like the drift dives I've done in the St. Lawrence Seaway.  I'd kick up-current to one end of the barge and enjoy the drift down-current to the other end, and then do it all over again.  There were loads of fish, and again, some made it topside. There were also very cool coral type fans growing on the top of the reef.  I had an ear issue trying to get down, and after four tries, I finally cleared my ear so I could descend.  I decided to forgo the speargun and bag, and concentrate on taking some video.  I wish I brought the spear gun down, since there was much to shoot.

Logged dives 423, 424, & 425.

Here is the YouTube video from this dive.  Make sure to change the settings to watch it in HD!

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