Dive 249

11 November 2001


Lancelin WA
Wreck of the Key Biscayne


Max depth 33.2 m
Dive time 42 min
Bottom time 15 min
Safety stop (s) 2 min @ 15 m, 10 min @ 5 m
Visibility 15 m

Buddy: Berwin Turlach

Second boat dive with Dive Ski and Surf.

Wonderful, wonderful dive. We did a lap of the main platform, which is a large triangle with a circular dome in the middle and a large cylindrical shaft in one corner.

Started from the tethering point of our boat, down the shaft, past the dome and back.

Brilliant views down the shift - school of fish and a diver going past underneath - batfish inside. On the platform, bright purple fans (? ascidians) waved in the surge like dreadlocks. Saw several cup-shaped sponges (?) with many blue 'suckers' like a catcher's mitt. The dome is encrusted with coral and sponges.

Footballers, bullseye, large WA Jewfish, foxfish. Heaps of crayfish under the ledge of the dome.

Spectacular views like a 'space station' on our ascent. Followed by curious batfish.

Surge near surface.


 
temp 19°C
rubber 5mm titanium wetsuit, radiator, hood, gloves;   shivering at end
weight 13 lb (12 integ + 1 trim); ?overweighted
tank S100 steel
BC SeaQuest Pro QD
air consumed 158 bar
average depth 17.1 m
RMV 15.9 l/min