I do this as a service for all you warm water divers out there (esp. MG.
One of these days, I going to make it down there [brother lives in Ft.
Lauderdale], just so I can meet the world renown and famous EGS. I would
also like to meet Mr&Mrs Lee Bell, Mr&Mrs Bullshark along with any other
rec.scuban in the area).

Another cool morning in LI, NY. I stopped by 7/11 for the usual S'mores
hot chocolate. On the way to the dive boat, I wondered what the ocean
would be like. I checked the marine forecast, and there was a small
craft warning the the past night. They predicted up to 30 knot winds and
seas of 3-5 feet on short intervals.
After getting underway, I unroll my sleeping bag and get the ear plugs
ready. We are going to dive the Oregon.
She is over 500' long and a beam of over 50' resting in 130' in the
Atlantic. It was the fastest trans atlantic ship around the 1880's
winning the Blue Riband for it's designer and builder Guion. The ride
takes us a couple of hours, so, it is a good time for me to catch up on
some sleep. As we approach the wreck, we all start getting suited up.
Once in the water, I notice the vertical vis wasn't as good as it was
last week. Descending to the wreck I am impressed with the HUGE 3 piston
engine that rises to about 90'. It is covered with marine life (anemone,
soft coral, etc) and there are hundreds of local fish swimming around
oblivious to the divers. But, the Oregon is also known for it's
lobsters. Horizontal vis was only 30' at best, but this is the norm for
diving up here. Dark, cold, drab vis. I tied of my reel in case I wanted
to do some scallop gathering out in the sand. You can loose site of the
wreck once off it.
With my hunting skills, I bag 3 lobsters on the first dive. With bottom
temp in the mid 40's, my bottom limit was 'cold' limited. 50 or so mins
later, back on the dive boat sharing and talking to the other divers
about the wreck and where they went (we're a bunch of solo divers). On
the second dive, I decided to just enjoy the marine live. I did see one
sea scallop with a fish in it's shell. They seem to be pretty good at
catching small fish. When we open up the scallops on the boat, we'll
find small fish inside the shells dead. I was amazed at the quantity of
marine life. Without lights, everything looks like shades of gray. But
shine your dive light on the wreck, there are reds, greens, blues,
yellows and whites reflecting the various anemones, growth on the wreck,
and fish. I swam into the current to the boilers (9 of them 18' long
each) in front of the engine (heading to the bow). The current was
moving bow to stern. We were tied in at the top of the engine towards
the stern. Drifting in the current making my ascent, I was surrounded by
fish. Looking at the anemones as a drifted up was truly wonderful.
Finally, at the top of the engine, it was time to go up the anchor line.
 It was a wonderful dive. Perfect for me, and of course, I had lobsters.

Another great day of diving in Paradise!!

Next week, the Texas Tower. The US Air Force early warning radar station
that collapsed out in the Atlantic taking with it over 20 lives.
Till then, safe diving!