More adventures from the Florida Sea Base liveaboard dive boat, the Schooner Conch Pearl.
A glimpse of below deck, peering down the ladder of the main companionway.
Megan briefs on how to signal air pressure under water.
Dave briefs on the “okay” signal
Denny describes the dive area.
Shuffling tanks between dives.
Changing out the tanks.
The guys work in teams of two while changing tanks to make the job a little easier on a heaving deck.
Eric seems to be on his own for changing his tank!
More swapping out empty air cyliners for full ones.
These guys are checking out a tape measure sticker that has images and limit sizes of various game fish.
Cheesing for the camera! Paul exhibits the latest Conch Pearl fashion–using performance winter thermals for jellyfish protection. Great Idea!
We use frisbees as our paper plate holders. Here the guys are cleaning them after dinner.
So, for the second week in a row, the fish have IGNORED us! David and Dave are putting on about a fish on the line! Wishful thinking, fellas!
But we still keep trying! Just like the lottery, you can’t win if you don’t play! Keep those lines in the water boys!
Getting ready to dive.
Jared dipping his mask to clear the defog coating.
Gearing up for the next dive.
Eric waiting for assistance with his tank.
Gearing up.
One guys sets down on the end of the dock box. A second fella picks up the tank/bcd and assists the diver into it. They then do their buddy checks together, and the diver is ready to deploy.
Cheerful guy, that Chris!
Some examples of diver apparel to protect skin from the infernal jellyfish.
I am ready for my tank, please!
Cleating the forsail halyard.
Preparing to hoist the foresail.
Lunchtime.
Lunch is usually prepared and eaten while we are underway.
Dane has trouble smiling for the camera….
Hoisting the mainsail.
First victim of the “mal de mer”.
Cruising past the famous Mallory Square Sunset Festival.
Megan is perfecting a new jellyfish prevention headpiece.
With two buffs and a head band over her upper lip, everything is covered. She’s taken quite a few jelly hits recently trying to prevent the guys from getting stung at the ladder.
While we were at Sand Key, a new type of jellyfish came floating by. I need to look it up. My suspicion is that it stings as bad or worse than the moon jellyfish.
Cheesing for the camera on the bow, Sunday afternoon.
David brought his sailing teams pirate flag along.
Returning from the deep.
The last step up the ladder.
Handing up fins. This guy should really have his regulator in his mouth.
Another diver returns.
More returning from the dive…
After some quick action, Jared rescues the empty snak pak cup. Good job, man! We don’t want to contribute to already over polluted oceans.
A storm approaches as we dive near Key West. It went around us, did not disrupt our dive.
Giant stride.
Giant stride.
More giant stride.
Tanks rest by the bridge, waiting for the next diver who needs a refill.
Here are some war wounds! Killian took a hard hit from a moon jelly.
More war wounds from the moon jellies. The guys are getting stung alot, but seem to be taking it in stride. Vinegar and bactine are our onboard cures.
