Website Reference:    http://njscuba.net/sites/site_rp_resor.html

This was a long and challenging day for me, but ultimately, one filled with success on
many levels. This wreck had always been my nemesis -  A 2 hour trip from Brielle, I had
been out to the wreck twice last year only to find that I couldn't dive it for one reason
or another. First time, I got seasick. Second time, I suffered a "1st stage seat failure"
with no backup.  This time, I was ready.   I had two functioning primary regulator sets
Apeks DS4's with TX-50's (one with an Octo) and even 1 backup DS4. I had plenty of
Bonine on hand, having taken 2 the night before and two upon my arrival in Brielle.

We departed at 6:00am per the standard for the Resor. Marine forecast was SW
winds 10-15kts with 2-4ft seas. It was only moderately choppy on the way out.. Nothing
out of the ordinary for the Resor. It was a full boat of course... This is an extremely popular
wreck for "groceries."  Upon arrival, the day met us with a bit of fog, and the 2-4ft seas as
previously advertised.  Nonetheless, the pool was open.

Both I and my buddy splashed around 8:59am.  Water temp. about 46-47°F. I believe we
were anchored at the stern (Anchor line tied at 95fsw).  I must confess I was slightly
disappointed with the wreck itself. Perhaps it was the fog or viz, but it seemed just like
most of the other wrecks I  visited off the NJ shore, no "prettier." Just a pile of rubble
actually, only more active with fish and bugs etc. My buddy immediately found two bugs
(the 1st of which he handed off to me to put in his bag). I had gone down to 117fsw on
this dive (not as deep as the APL-31), but our "buddy" agreement was that when I got
low on NDL, he would escort me back to the anchor line and I would ascend on my own.
So while capturing his 3rd bug, I signaled the return (I was down to 8 min. of NDL), and
he duly escorted me back. He went on to hunt for  his 3rd bug. I did  my own ascent and
safety stop with plenty of gas, and completed a 24min. run time.  My nemesis had finally
been concurred!

After a two hour surface interval, we splashed again for another "shorter" dive (although
it was longer for me as I was awaiting my buddy on the Carolina rig for 5-7minutes). We
weren't going to make it long because my buddy felt a bit colder. No sweat. We made our
way around the stern (I think) rubble pile, encountering moderate current on our round
trip so we ducked inside the main area to avoid the current. Not much happening on the
wreck (everyone had pretty much cleared the wreck  of bugs and scallops on the 1st dive)
so after 2+ round trips around the main rubble pile, we went back up and again completed
an un-eventful safety stop. Total Run time for me, 32 min. Of course, by then the surf had
laid down and the sun was out.   Oh well.

Two cautionary lessons learned on this trip (I was not involved in either issue).

    1)    Don't ever fish (with rod/reel etc.) from the boat while divers (or the Carolina
        Rig) are down. That's a very easy way to piss off the crew and very strongly.
        The monofilament can easily get caught in many things, including the Carolina
        rig itself, as well as other divers, staged deco bottles, etc.  

    2)    Never bring "bananas" (the real ones) on a boat like this  - extremely superstitious.......    

Just trust me on this one.....

Next week - The "Tolten" - http://njscuba.net/sites/site_tolten.html  Not as deep, but
hopefully, a bit more bottom time...

____________________________________________
Regards,

Arnold