We will be diving the Veteran’s Reef here in Clearwater, FL. The reef has a depth of 42 feet and there is always lots to see and explore. This will be a double drop and as always, the price does not include your gear. If you have nothing going on or just wanting to collect some bottom time, then come join us. This is a twilight, night dive. Contact Jo Ann Sawyer at 727.733.1919 | Cell: 727.543.3171 for payment and booking. A primary and secondary dive light is required.
Title: BayRonto Dive
Location: Venis, FL Description: We are putting together a trip to Venis, FL, Sun Aug 22, 2010. This will be a double drop on the BayRonto.
The British freighter BayRonto was built in 1905 by Armstrong Whitworth & Co. in Newcastle. She was originally named Tronto but was renamed when sold in 1916 to Bay S.S. Co. The Bay S.S. Co. was a company formed by the French Government to operate British ships which it had purchased and due to wartime restrictions had to remain under British Flag. The BayRonto was 400 feet long, had a 52 foot beam, displaced 6,405 gross tons and was powered by a 495 nhp triple expansion engine.
The BayRonto had been damaged when she was torpedoed by a German submarine in July of 1918, but after repairs she set out for Marseille. She foundered in heavy seas on September 13, 1919. The ship was carrying a cargo of wheat from Galveston to Marseille at the time. The NEW YORK TIMES reported that eleven of her crew were picked up by the fishing smack Ida and brought to Tampa. The steamship Calno rescued 19 survivors and brought them to Charleston, South Carolina, on September 21. Another 18 survivors were reported to have landed at Havana on September 16. After the final count, the BayRonto’s full complement had been accounted for. The survivors told of how the vessel had foundered during a hurricane, and all but two of her life boats had been smashed by the monstrous waves. Chief Officer Moody and ten crew took to one of the life boats in which they had only five gallons of water and a hundred biscuits as supplies. Two days later they were out of water but were able to use their coats to catch rain water. When they ran out of biscuits, they caught a few fish and ate them raw.
The BayRonto is now “turtled” 30 miles offshore in 100 feet of water with her keel extending upwards to 80 feet. The wreck is broken in half about mid-ship with the stern section held higher by the wheelhouse, resulting in a large cavernous type entrance into the stern section. She usually has a large population of Goliath Grouper hanging around her. The hull of the ship is covered with both hard and soft corals attracting many species of fish both large and small.
BayRonto Wreck Site Plan
The 400’ long x 52’ beam vessel has more than enough stuff for everyone to explore. There are 5 diver slots available, and they are first come – first serve so get your reservations in early!
As always, this price does not include any of your gear, food, etc. See you there.
Title: Scalloping Hunt
Location: Homosassa, FL
Description: Every year, from July 1 to mid-September, scalloping comes to Citrus County. Part snorkeling experience, part treasure dive and part saltwater fishing trip, scalloping along the unspoiled shores of Crystal River and Homosassa provides a salty adventure to fishers of all ages. Citrus County’s bay scallops rest under @ four to six feet of water, just offshore along the grassy lip of the Gulf of Mexico. All it takes is a snorkel, a mask, a mesh bag and a saltwater fishing license to get in on the action.
Recent scalloping seasons have been fantastic. Seafood lovers from all over the Sunshine State and beyond ventured to Citrus to dive for the meaty morsels, having an ocean of fun as they literally bagged their limits.
The bag limit is 2 gallons of whole scallops (in the shell), or 1 pint of scallop meat per person per day. In addition, no more than 10 gallons of whole scallops or 1/2 gallon of scallop meat may be possessed aboard any vessel at any time. You may harvest scallops only by hand or with a landing or dip net. Scallopers must remain in the legal scalloping area (from Mexico Beach to the Pasco-Hernando county line) while in possession of scallops on the water including the point where they return to land.
We will be diving the Fin Barge on Sun Jul 11, 2010. She sits in about 85′ feet of water @ 25 mi. from shore. She has lots of Jew-fish, Barracuda, and Amber Jacks. Being a landing craft of some sorts in her past, she has a giant door that opens up in her bow making for lots of exploration. This will be a double drop dive. As always, the price does not include any gear.
We will meet at the Gulfport Marina @ 2P and then head out to the dive site. Gulfport is locate at 4630 29th Ave S, Gulfport, FL 33711. Vehicle parking is free.
We are off to the Rube Allyn Reef for some diving! The Rube Allyn Reef is at a depth of 50′. The reef consists of many tall pyramid structures and some parts of the old Clearwater Pass bridge. It is home to many kinds of underwater life especially kingfish.
