Reef
Report
Sunday, May 29
Boynton Beach with Loggerhead
Charters
Summer
storm season kicked off
spectacularly on Memorial Day
Weekend as a group of nine
intrepid ADA divers ventured out
of Boynton Beach with Loggerhead
Dive Charters, now under new
ownership by neighboring
operator Splashdown. Dockside
pedestrian and car traffic were
especially heavy this weekend
but the boat cast off with a
full load of divers as clouds
began to build on the horizon.
Conditions initially were smooth
with a light wind as divers
jumped in for their first drift
dive along the Boynton reef
ledges. But the skies began to
darken as divers entered the
water for their second dive,
emerging an hour later to
five-foot waves and strong winds
that sent the boat heaving in
the heavy surf. Thankfully
master skipper Capt. Jim was at
the helm, expertly maneuvering
the dive boat to within feet of
the divers as they bobbed in the
white-capped sea. Two seasoned
mates were on hand to grab the
divers as they scrambled up the
swaying ladder, ensuring
everyone’s safety for ADA’s
first thrilling advanced dive of
the season. Below the raging
seas, divers spotted green and
loggerhead turtles, lemon sharks
and a large bull shark
patrolling the reef at 40 to 60
feet. A solo diver not
associated with the group
claimed to have seen a
hammerhead shark, but his
account was quickly discounted
for lack of video evidence or
eyewitnesses (editor's note:
even more evidence that you
should never dive without a
buddy!) The swift north current
didn’t allow for lingering on
the reef as divers zipped past
schools of snappers, large
angelfish and colorful reef
fish. Visibility was about 40
feet, decent but below average
for that area, and divers were
grateful to be wearing wetsuits
as the water temperature hovered
just between 78 and 80 degrees.
-- Active Divers Volunteer and
Member Jean Gruss |
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