The Jackson County Sheriff's dept Dive Team went out on a training dive to the oil riggs. We made 3 dives. The first dive was on an unmanned rigged about 40 miles off shore. The depth was 95 ft. We saw several large grouper, 5 very large cobia, and 3 huge red fish. Vis was about 20 ft on the bottom but at 30 ft vis was much better. We worked on several search patterns and worked on gear swapping while buddy breathing. It was a very fun dive and I enjoyed seeing all the fish.
The other 2 dives were at the triple yellow rig. Depth was about 65 ft and the vis was only 10 ft. We blacked out the mask of a new diver to the team and we practiced some search patterns with him. There wasn't any fish on the rig other than a few spade fish. The second dive on this rig was just a play dive. We goofed off and relaxed.
Next week we have to spend some time at chevron checking the bottom of some ships that are coming in. That dive will be crazy. 0 ft vis on that one and the water is nasty. That dive will be a full face mask and dry suit for sure!
I would like to make a fun dive next week some where. If anyone is going and has an opening send me an email to
jtrehern@bellsouth.net
