Newsletter

     2009 is fast entering the annals of history. Although we, as a nation, are still struggling to regain our economic balance there were some positive signs observed here at Sea Lab. Our summer was busy and exciting. We had one of our best Cozumel trips ever (check out picture gallery #13), but the highlight had to be the August trip to Panama City Beach. As many of you may of heard, we unexpectedly had one of those once in a lifetime dives. What made it so special? How about a couple of hours of interaction with a twenty-five foot whale shark!

    This was one of those experiences that makes diving the true adventure sport that it is. The day began with ominous signs, as the weather was not in a cooperative spirit. Our dive was being delayed because of strong winds and I could see the possibility of canceling the ocean dives and heading back to the clear, cold springs. Not my favorite option, but even the bay was full of whitecaps.

    We gave it some time and the storm blew by; it looked like we may get to dive after all. As we headed out, the seas were rolling and a few of the divers aboard felt their sea legs disappearing. We made the first dive on one of the bridge spans and returned to the boat. Several divers decided to spend the surface interval free diving rather than endure more of the boat’s continuous rocking. Then a radio call came; another dive boat just a few hundred yards away was tying into a wreck, The USS Strength and their divemaster spotted a whale shark.

Those in the water scrambled aboard, some confusing a whale shark with the dangers of a great white. We headed directly to the Strength and jumped in with skin diving gear hoping to just get a glimpse of the magnificent fish. I spotted the whale shark only twenty feet or so below the surface and free dived along side. After a few minutes it became apparent that the shark was in no hurry to escape our position. We scrambled back to the boat to don scuba gear and see what developed.

Photo: Joe Deppen

    Oh, by the way, I hadn’t forgotten the students, but when was this likely to happen again? Back in the water on scuba and there he was slowly gliding along accompanied by a contingent of cobia, remora and moon jellies.
Totally enthralled, several divers collectively took in the experience. After some time it became obvious that our new friend was going to hang out a while and we had to get the students in the water to complete their certification dives. As they dove the wreck hovering at 60’, the whale shark
made several appearances until finally at our safety stop the shark seemed to join the group. Several of the new divers got their chance for the experience of a lifetime.

That is what diving is all about. Let’s keep it that way.

See you in the blue,
Steve