Swampfest Lobster Dive - EPIC !

[BigWhiteSquare]

Lobsters were snared, grouper were slain. We had an amazing pair of dives on Normannia and Cassimer, followed by a most excellent feast at Ken's. More reports to follow later... I must sleep now.

[SparticleBrane]

Whoa whoa...pictures required.
(glad you had a good time!)

[cgibson]

Can't wait to read the stories and the experiences!!

[Mel]

Geez Frank, don't keep us in suspense! I want to hear about the diving!

I'm glad you and the others had a good time.

[Jason B.]

I'm with Mel, what with 20 threads leading up to the event, we need more than 1 post on the outcome. Let's hear it.

[Tony A]

I think they are toying with us!!

[fireflock]

patience....good things will come. Here's a quick version - It was blowing 15-20 at midnight Friday and I went to sleep convinced that we would be lucky to make the Indra. The stars aligned and the wind died down leaving a large but managable swell. We made the long run down to the Normania and Cassimir to find blue water top to bottom, Temps were in the mid 70's and viz was 60-70ft!!!!!! We got back a little late (long boat ride), but soon everyone moved over to the swamphouse for grilled chickens, fried flounder, and some adult beverages until midnight. Swampdog ordered a special fireworks show over the MHC waterfront to top off the day.

More later I'm sure - pictures and video were taken. I think a lot of people are still down there or on the way home and I know one or two of them could have been a little slow getting up this morning.......

Rich

[Mel]

patience....good things will come. Here's a quick version - It was blowing 15-20 at midnight Friday and I went to sleep convinced that we would be lucky to make the Indra. The stars aligned and the wind died down leaving a large but managable swell. We made the long run down to the Normania and Cassimir to find blue water top to bottom, Temps were in the mid 70's and viz was 60-70ft!!!!!! We got back a little late (long boat ride), but soon everyone moved over to the swamphouse for grilled chickens, fried flounder, and some adult beverages until midnight. Swampdog ordered a special fireworks show over the MHC waterfront to top off the day.

More later I'm sure - pictures and video were taken. I think a lot of people are still down there or on the way home and I know one or two of them could have been a little slow getting up this morning.......

Rich

I bet one of them is the host himself. I'm sure a few hangovers this morning. Can't wait to hear more.

[fpsndiver]

The above is multiple stitched photos to get the panoramic view...now, if I can do this with wrecks....we're in business.


I had a great time and some spectacular dives with Ken, Frank and Rich! Pretty much an epic day on the Normannia, one of the best I've ever seen there.....and I have been there a lot. It was like being at home......and I finally got that elusive bottle out of the room on the stern I've been digging in for 5 years.....persistence paid off....all that trouble and crap for a piece of glass!

Olympus put on a helluva show, I agreed with Rich, the night before, I thought we'd be looking for "alternate entertainment" on Saturday....next thing you know, we are anchored over the Normannia, one of my favorite wrecks. Then over to the Casimir.

2 great dives. Earlier in the week we hit Radio Island too. It was a very relaxing weekend at the swamphouse, and Ken put on a helluva show, including fireworks at the party. Good food, good times, and I can now resume work tomorrow with a refreshed spirit. Sorry that some of you missed it.

p.s. video on the way, be patient, and I'll glue something onto the youtubes, and also put together a DVD for those interested.....the vid turned out, and I have captured it all.....now to edit out all my yelling and screaming and shaky shots when I was digging






















Tom

[Mel]

What great photos! Thanks Tom for posting them and a report.

Frank, you are the bomb with those big fish!!! Did you catch them? Someone has to tell us that fish story.

Tom, what kind of bottle is it?

[fpsndiver]

Tom, what kind of bottle is it?

Cerveceria de Habana beer bottle from the early 1920s.

Frank had a helluva day spearing fish, those were his, and the lobster was Barry's. We had a great day, and followed it up with a great night.





Tom

[cgibson]

:-( Now now...now I am jealous. I can't be though, had plenty of time to get in on the action!!! lol. There is always next time!!! That is a helluva big fish!!

Nice days and nice size group to dive with too. I am glad to hear the start of some good fun!! Can't wait to read the rest.

Now to the important thing. Did you know in all my looking at the pictures...I found one important item in the last picture on fpsndiver's post. Can anyone tell me what it is?? ....another important tool in diving (well for me) the DONUT!!! I want it!! Out of the whole picture I picked up on the donut the most!!! What am I a cop?? I don't think so!!

So I look forward to reading the rest of ya'lls stories!!!

[SparticleBrane]

Quite the nice size fish! Maybe one day I'll have to try my hand at spearfishing.
Want to get some lobster sometime this summer, too. Barry that one looks like it would make a nice dinner.

[DuckDiver]

Amazing dives. The picture of Tom really shows how blue the water was. The Normania was quite possibly my best dive yet. Thanks to Tom for going bottle hunting. This left his lobster snare needing an operator and it worked out for both of us. Tom got his bottle and I will be eating lobster tonight.

Special thanks to Ken for hosting the party. It was icing on the cake after the diving that was had.

After my first ocean dives being the famous Hyde/Markham brail dives, I have said that it can only get better. After this weekend, I'm not sure that it can get any better.

[Tony A]

Sounds like some great dives and good times!!

And some nice fish!!!