Class reunion dive.
I got back late last night from a couple of dives in Panama City. I had the privilege to take a group of FSU students and several FSU alumni on an afternoon dive out of Panama City on Sunday, Aug. 13. Several of the student and alumni I had as my dive students in the last couple of summers so it was kind of like a class reunion dive.
We met at the boat at Bristol Harbor marina in downtown Panama City at 1 p.m. CST and began loading our dive gear on the boat. We put our gear together before the captain gave his safety briefing. Once the briefing was done they shoved off away from the dock ready to set sail towards our pre-determined dive sites. The captain had to radio the lift bridge operator to raise the bridge so we can head out to the big pool.
It only takes about 15 minutes to get to the first dive site about 6 miles offshore. The first dive site was bridge span 12, it was part of the old Hathaway bridge that was sunk at least 30-plus years ago. She is now really starting to show the toll the salt water and storms have taken on her. Part of her structure has completely collapsed on the ocean floor but other parts of her superstructure still remain upright and intact. The good news is there are many species of fish that call her their home. The bait fish that swim around her are in the thousands and with what looks like a choreographed dance swim as a major cloud that literally blocks out the sun light similar to a large cloud going over head.
Most divers who dive sites like this generally don’t notice what is living around and in the structure itself. I have dived that span since it was first laid to rest there and I am so amazed at the different species of marine life that’s there. That is the number one reason I am not that good of a spear fisherman because I get side-tracked by looking at the various fish that are at the site. We saw different types and colors of starfish, several species of tangs, as well as huge queen angelfish the size of dinner platters.
The visibility was typical for Panama City 25-30 foot but the water temperature was interestingly different, at the surface to 45 feet was 98 degrees and from 45 feet to the bottom at 70 feet it was a cold 94 degrees. Normally this time of year the temperature from surface to the bottom is 88-90 degrees. It was so warm that I didn’t wear my 2.5mm shorty because it was uncomfortable because of the temperature. I would highly recommend diving this particular span because of the variety of fish.
Well until next week, keep making bubbles.
– Russell Miller, NAUI instructor #59999