Stolt Dagali- May 5, 2007
The forecast for today was spectacular !!! 2 ft. seas all day. This is already shaping up to be an excellent season. It was with a song in my heart that I drove to the boat this morning. Today we had a group that Vern put together from PA. We are planning to dive the Stolt today. I had a lot of divers that were new to the boat, The Stolt is a great wreck, and it was on an excellent day. I was already batting 500, without leaving the slip. Today was a GOOD day to be a dive boat Captain.

Captain Tex readied the boat & spooled up the Cats, as I did the briefing. With a touch if the controls, we were out of the slip, onto another great adventure. We sailed 18 miles on flat seas, arriving at the wreck by 8:30 AM. Once again, Vern jumped in to set the hook. He tied us in at the 80ft. Level. Divers worked to get ready on the deck.

Once the bag was up, it was time to open the ocean. The eager divers jumped in, in squadrons, like paratroopers invading a foreign land, and foreign it is, with wondrous creatures of all types. This wreck is huge in size. It stretches from 130 ft. to within 65 ft. of the surface, allowing divers to chose their comfort level. This wreck abounds in marine life, both ones that live on the wreck, as well as large pelagics that frequent the area. It is not uncommon to see turtles, manta rays, and ocean sunfish while on this wreck. You never know who or what will show up on a Stolt trip.

The divers were greeted by 20 ft. of vis and 43 deg. Water. There was a slight thermocline, warming up to 50 deg. It was a nice day on the Stolt. The line was tied in at 80 ft., this allowed the divers to pick their depth level, all the way down to 130'. By playing the multi level game with their computers, divers were able to maximize their bottom time. The Stolt is already teeming with sea life. One of the divers scored a nice black fish, while other grabbed a bug or two, nothing huge, but definitely a nice dinner, way to go DR. Tom. There were cunner ( Bergall) stacked at every level. Divers made themselves welcome by feeding them muscles from the wreck. Tex pulled up a bag full as well as a few other divers. Eventually, we all give into either the cold, the air gauge in the red, or the deco time racking up. Return to the surface we must.

Once back on board, the divers warmed themselves with soup & coffee. Around noon, Vern had lunch ready to go. Today was a treat, we had Susan’s famous baked ziti & garlic bread. This is usually reserved for a dinner, but Vern requested it for his trip. Though Vern had told everyone lunch would be served on board, it seemed like, not trusting Vern, they all brought lunch from home. Being true wreck divers, it was not a problem, they all ate TWICE !! So with swollen bellies, they napped in the warm sun.

Around 2 PM the divers jumped in for a second dive on the Stolt. A few more fish and lobster came up, as well as mussels. At the end of the day, Gene jumped into pull the hook. While underway, the mussels were dragged to clean them off. To do this, you need a sturdy net bag, and a braided tow line. You must also remember, to tie the line around the neck of the bag, NOT the handle. Needless to say, a few bags were lost today !!!

The big cats hummed, as we returned to the dock. Most of the passengers were napping, with full bellies, and smiles. The Stolt is a great dive, and rarely does it disappoint divers. Another great day of diving LAKE ATLANTIC.