Gypsy Blood 8/3 Trip to the R.P. Resor

Martyk · Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

At 6:00 am 17 divers left Brielle headed for the R.P. Resor on board the Gypsy Blood. It was a picture perfect morning with clear skies, any once we cleared the inlet, there was clear sailing with small rollers that mainly rocked everyone to sleep during the 2 hr trip.

At the first sign of the engines slowing as we approached the wreck site, everyone sprang into action and the deck was a buzz with activity as people scurried around getting geared up.

Within minutes we were tied in and the pool was open for dive # 1. There was a good current on the surface so you had to be quick to make it over to the Carolina Rig. Water temps were very warm for the first 40 to 50 feet but once you hit the thermocline it was 48 f to the bottom at 128 feet. We were tied into the bow and the viz was a nice 20 to 30 feet but a little on the dark side. On the bottom, lines were deployed and the hunt was on. 45 minutes later, one by one divers began to meet while on their hangs - checking out each others catch bags and I saw more than a few masks flood from the leaks created by the big smiles of divers showing off their bags. The yield on dive 1 was about 5 nice sized lobster, about 50 to 60 scallops, and a Tog that was probably in the 10 pound range.

Roll call... grab a sandwich... change out the tanks... a little time for a snooze or a sun tan... and it was time for dive # 2

By now the surface current had subsided but it wasn't gone. It seemed to move to the bottom. About 25 minutes into dive 2, I felt a crampy pain start in the toes on my left foot and continue with my whole foot, ankle, and begin to work it's way up my leg. It wasn't until the pain was approaching my knee that I realized that the pain was being caused by 46 degree water leaking into my dry suit from my foot. This dive was over for me. When everyone else made it back safely on board, we tallied up another dozen or so bugs (6 from one diver), about another 30 scallops, another very large Tog, a Sea Bass, and a bag of mussels, for good measure.

The big white cooler was FULL!

The trip back was smooth and quiet as 17 tired divers found places to rest and nap before everyones favorite part of any dive... unloading the boat and loading the car.

It was a great day on a great wreck with a lot of history attached to it.