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This was the “5th” year in a row that USA dive club took the trip to Dry Tortugas on the Playmate. A joyful mix of old timers and “new” participants: Otto F, Chuck G, Barbara & John B, Ronnie & Nils, Pat S, Al and AJ T and Jose M. Captain was Joe-Joe, new mate Dough and new chef, Eric. Cooking was excellent as usual and we learned some new lobster recipes.
At most times, the weather was very cooperative, mostly sunny and calm with only a few thunderstorms. Lobsters were more abundant than recent years and more abundant than I ever remember having seen them. We ran out of quota on the second day. The water was also warmer than normal – surface temperatures up to 91 degrees F; bottom temperatures in the 86-87 range. Due to the higher temperatures, we only saw big game fish at certain deeper sites, but when there even black grouper were occasionally plentiful.
We saw lots of large pelagic life in the water. We saw many species of sharks – a sign of a healthy reef. We saw Goliath Groupers the bigger ones out in the open and very sociable, Eagle Rays and even dolphins on some of the dive sites. At the night anchorage next to Fort Jefferson we had visits by Goliath Groupers, dolphins and Rays.
 Same itinerary next year, except leaving a day early, Wednesday night (8/16/2007) and diving 3 ½ days Thursday – Sunday, arriving back at the dock in Key West between 2 and 3 pm Sunday 8/20.
VP Overseas diving
Nils Jacobsen
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