Dive #188 - Rich Torkington's Dive Log

Late in the day aboard the Cuan Law
Videograph by Rich Torkington in BVI 2004

Dive Journal: We enjoy more delectable gourmet food for dinner, and we’re getting the idea that fabulous food in large amounts is the norm aboard the Cuan Law. The crew works hard on the boat – part of the reason must be so they don’t turn into blimps. We stay anchored off Salt Island, and when night falls, we are lucky to have the Rhone all to ourselves.

We dive the stern section again, but at night the wreck takes on a wholly different character. There are stunning orange cup corals and bright colored encrusting sponges everywhere. The ship’s structures appear in high relief in the shadows cast by our dive lights. There are long-spined and variegated urchins cruising about all over the wreckage.

The regular night creatures are here, too, including a few new players. A small octopus appears early on but quickly disappears. A free swimming spotted moray slinks by. In the periphery of our dive lights, we see a few huge dog snappers, who are attempting to nab smaller fishes illuminated by our lights. We come across a Spanish lobster near the mooring rope, always a treat.

A humongous clinging crab is hunkered into a section of the ship. Beneath him on the sand we spot a very large true tulip, probably 9 or 10 inches long. Horse-eye jacks zoom about above us as I examine a giant basket star wound around some soft corals. Good bioluminescence on our exit – love those night dives! I especially like the way Cuan Law plans them to start about 8:30pm, when it’s truly dark already.