Posted by Captain Tim Burke on July 31, 2002 at 12:18:09:


Ship's log 7/31/02

Once again I was jumped on for not keeping this up to date. WHERE DOES ALL THE TIME GO?
I'll put in two weekends so maybe that will help a little. We started out on time. Brett took the boat out and for the first 4 hours we were doing ok. I took over at about 5:00am and we were a few miles past SBI. It didn't take long for me to decide that we would not make Begg Rock. I turned left, towards Nic, and we had a very nasty swell hitting us sideways. After another 2½ hours we made it to Dutch Harbor. We made a dive here, but nothing spectacular. We moved up the island and dove near the light and again the same. It was cold and gloomy out, and the divers were hardly even diving. So I headed up the island some more towards the "Badlands". I called Allen to the bridge and told him it would take another2 hours of this to make it to Begg Rock and that we would probably have to life boat it. He said no. So dove right where we were, and had a great dive. Then back to the unknown wreck and finally back to the sand spit. We stayed there the night. I gambled on the weather and told Brett to start at 4:00am. If the swells were too big head to SBI and make the decision quickly. I got up at 6:00am and thought we were headed to SBI it was so calm. As I was putting on my shoes divers kept asking me where we were. I told them I didn't know yet. As I walked up to the bridge, I knew. No land in sight ahead, only 1 place we could be.
We pulled up to Begg Rock and after trying a couple of times and playing with the wind we had anchored. Chris went in to check the anchor. I dropped in 80', but we were now in 165'. Chris signaled via a cup that the anchor was ok. Let the diving begin. We stayed for to outstanding dives, with many limits of scallops brought aboard. On the way home we had the priviledge to see a pod of 5 Blue Whales. What Beasts they are.
Last weekend we started off on Friday. Off to see Black Sea Bass. Had an interesting phone call on Thursday night. A diver called and said he would go with us if I would guarantee him seeing BSB. I told him the same thing about every dive we make. I try to go to the best stop available, or the location that we advertised, but in no way do I guarantee it. They're too many variables. The weather, swells, other boats, the weather, currents, life fire, wind, ect. But I always try. He never showed up, his lose, as we did make it to "Italian Gardens" and saw no less than 15 Black Sea Bass. A very good day.
Saturday with Sport Chalet we went to Cat. First dive was at "Indian Rock" in about 90' of water on the outside reef. A good dive, with 2 BSB spotted. Then off to "Lions Head". A pretty good dive, but crew and me spent a lot of time waving off boaters with knowledge of boating. Coming close too and over divers. Just a matter of time until there is another death. Over all a good day diving.
Sunday to SBI with the Reef Seekers. First dive was on the outside wall at the Arch. A great dive, with BSB spotted, purple and red coral. Vis was around 80'. The swell picked up so off to Arch Point. A little current, but great vis. Many Bat Rays seen. Around the other side to Allen's Arch. The current and swell picked up and the divers had an interesting time trying to stay in one spot, but over all a good dive. The last dive we went in to the inner arch. Many Bat Rays here and a few Halibuts were seen. Vis was not the best, but the swells were picking up and it nice to know that they were behind us for the ride home.
A very good two weeks.
Captain Tim Burke