Dive 1: Jupiter Star

Alt Team: Jody and Robert

S: Matt (lead, bag) Charlie (deco)

A: 21/35 backgas and 50%

D: 165 max, 150 plan

D: 30 minutes bottom time, 55 minutes run time

D: around the wreck, no penetration

Deco: 110/1 100/1 90/1 80/1 70/5 (switch, bag) 60/3 50/1 40/1 30/2 20/8 10/5

Fish count

Robert is back from college and Jody asked him where he wanted to dive, without hesitation he said, "The J Star!" Its one of the older artificial reefs. Its allure is that it rested on its starboard side. We tried to anchor on the wreck, but couldn't get it to grab after two tries, so we switched to a live drop. Charlie and I were already geared up and ready to rock. Jody dropped us on the wreck.

It was really heard to see the wreck when you are descending on the plain side of the hull. We hit it without a problem and swam around the bow to the side facing East, its bow was facing South. There was a large winch at the bow of the boat which was colonized by many juvenile fish. We swam down the bottom of the cargo hold to find a few Gray Snapper and small Sharpnose Pufferfish near the hull. At the bridge near the stern there were several openings to peak back into. It was two cramped to squeeze a set of doubles into. I backed off so Charlie could take a look and saw a bright little fish duck under a small ledge. I same over and found a Peppermint Goby wedged into a small V-shaped piece of hull. It had no where to hind so it just froze as I shined my light and called for Charlie's attention.

We swam around the bridge to the stern where all the fish were. A Black Grouper darted under the stern seeking cover. The current drifted back along the top of the wreck along the port side. Reband Parrotfish, Butter Hamlets, and Sunshine fish were spread all over it.

Back at the bow, there were even more fish on the top side of the winch. Time was up so Charlie and I drifted off to the Southwest to begin our ascent. Back on the boat Jody and Robert were getting ready to jump in. We briefed them on conditions and they splashed in.

After their dive they described running a line to the engine room and exploring it. They had a great time.

Andrea and Mike jumped up for their dive on the Miami Wall.

Jody and Robert decided to explore a new site called Trench 62 for their second dive. They were very impressed after the dive and I was sorry I didn't go with them.

--Matt