Dive #212 - Rich Torkington's Dive Log
© Copyright 2010 Rich Torkington Mesa, Arizona

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Bottom Time to Date:

182h
56m


Dive Info:

Dive Start:
2:40PM

Bottom Time:
41 minutes

Maximum Depth:
66 feet

Safety Stop:
3 minutes

Beginning Air:
3000 psi

Ending Air:
1000 psi

Weather Conditions:
Clear 75°F

Surface Conditions:
Calm

Surface Water Temperature:
75°F

Bottom Water Temperature:
75°F

Visibility:
100+ feet
212
TITLE
* * *½
March 17,
2005
MARION
ANDROS ISLAND, BAHAMAS
WRECK DIVE
VIDEO
Steve and Eathan (wolfboro, NH)
Small Hope Bay Lodge
Andros Island, Bahamas
http://www.smallhope.com/
Photo
The large wreck of the Marion.
Videograph by Rich Torkington in Bahamas 2005 
Dive Journal: The afternoon dive at the Marion promises to be interesting and I’m eager to go. No one else cares for wreck dives so much, so I’m again onboard without family. I elect to dive with nitrox again since the depth is only a planned 65 feet, and will buddy with Steve and Eathan, guests from Wolfboro, NH.

This wreck site consists of a great layout of the Marion (a big barge), a big truss crane structure, and a large earth-mover-style tractor (Marion’s cargo). The barge is sitting hull down and is completely open on top. There are groups of angelfish and schoolmasters around as we explore the various holds of the barge.

I follow intern divemaster Becky into an opening beneath the hull and soon I’m in a dark space where Becky is searching with her light for eels, etc. We continue through the space and emerge on the other side of the boat – a cool swim through.

Another new fish sighting, a juvenile blackfin snapper, that makes my day. I later read that the adults live only below 200 feet! I get some good video of schoolmasters in the neat backlighting beneath the boat. We all enjoy the vast plains loaded with garden eels between the different pieces of the wreck.
Photo
Part of Marion's Cargo, an earth-mover.
Videograph by Rich Torkington in Bahamas 2005 

Returning from the dive, cleaning up, and strolling back down the dock, I feel simply great. It occurs to me that the nitrox might be a factor, but I also know my everyday stresses are finally leaving me.

More
Dive
Info:
Fins:
Mares Avanti Quattro
Computer:
Oceanic Véo 200
Tank:
80 ft3 Al
BCD:
SeaQuest Spectrum 4
Breathing Gas:
32.8% O2 Nitrox
Body of Water:
Caribbean Sea
Mask:
U S Divers
Protection:
3mm full wetsuit
Regulator:
SeaQuest
Spectrum XR2
plus Oceanic
Slimline octopus
Weight:
10 lb
Water Type:
Salt
Video Equipment:
Sony DCR-TRV11 digital handycam in Top Dawg housing