Dive #226 - Rich Torkington's Dive Log

Topside at dusk on the Cuan Law, probably contemplating a night dive
Photo by Cuan Law guest in the BVIs 2006

Dive Journal: At almost 11pm, still anchored near Guana Island, Linda and I head out for our first night dive in almost a year and a half. Of course, I am interested in re-testing my new mask, and fortunately it performs well.

We head out first across broad sand flats and over several southern stingrays. There are zillions of little bluish fry everywhere hugging the one foot layer on the bottom here. As we examine them, we are often startled to see a 6 to 8 foot tarpon scream by us.

Still on the sand, we discover many live conchs gliding around, and an equal number of huge hermit crabs occupying conch and other spiral shells.

Eventually we find the deeper edge of the reef and swim down along its edge with the sand. There we find a young octopus feeding and spend many minutes with him. We also have our usual fun feeding the corals and anemones by attracting food to them with our dive lights.

On one coral mound, I see an interesting olive-colored surface that looks a bit unnatural. Brushing it once with water currents, I determine that the olive color is silt and the surface is whiter underneath. It is some kind of cloth, so I gently remove it from the corals, thinking simply of good reef husbandry. Once I get the cloth freed, however, I shake it off and see that it is a tee shirt. Another look makes me grin – a picture of a sailing vessel and the words “Lammer Law”, and I stuff it into my BC pocket.

Back on the Cuan Law, I show the shirt to Captain Steve. He thinks it’s pretty cool. We all know that the Lammer Law used to sail these waters, but that was many years ago back in the 1980s. Steve takes the shirt and says he might call Duncan about it.

Past midnight, some crew and passengers board a dinghy and ride out well away from the Cuan Law and all other sources of light. We’re soon in near darkness. The other passengers are a bit chatty, but we all arch our backs and gaze up at the stars, making us feel insignificant and wonderful at the same time.