Gradient Charters

Gorgonian corals,cloud sponges and star fish

2012-01-06T09:03:00.000-08:00

WOW we had another great one at the Aggy wall yesterday. The photos tell the story. Here is a bit of what we saw

Fairview Bay. further north on one long wall

2011-12-30T22:55:00.000-08:00

Hmm. yeah we've been here before a few times in the last while. Well every time we go we move a bit further along and do one known good dive and and explore dive. It is a bit odd but we have not had a dud since we started exploring this wall.I believe there is at least one more dive here.
Today along with the tremendous structure we saw an Octopus and sea lion at about the same time.
The sea lion made a couple passes through our group and was gone while the octo just took the tome we were distracted and retreated further into his crack.
It was great to meet Kevin and Deb and also to get Verjall out with us for the first time

more exploring

2011-12-28T06:52:00.000-08:00

Andy ,Bruce and I went back to Fairview north to do another test dive and came up with another good one.
It was warmer on deck but raining and cloudy.
Water temp same at 48F and clear with 85+ feet of vis.

We will be going back here some more as it is a new place and has great structure with a fair amount of life

Great day guy's!

Fairview Bay North

2011-12-21T19:51:00.000-08:00

I was out yesterday with Andy and Wayne for a day that saw us doing sometest dives as the weather blew up keeping us away from our intended dive site of Northeast Point.
WOW. Our second dive was one of the best topographic structure dives I have seen fort a long time.

Here are a few photos of the 2 dives . The water is still cool on the longer dives but real clear.

Captains Island

2011-12-18T15:57:00.000-08:00

We went out for a couple dives at Captains Island yesterday. Could not get an anchor to hold in one new spot we were going to try but we dove one new spot that had some good topography and our usual favorite but anchored further out by the point of the wall. While the sun was nowhere to be found the rain held off and the water was fairly clear at 48 deg F. It was a great group with Wayne, Bruce, Rob, Andy and myself who had not managed to all get out together for a long time. Thanks guys. Heres what we saw.

Iron Mines Drift Dive

2011-12-12T21:18:00.000-08:00

Ben ,Bruce and I had a great drift dive at the Iron Mines on Sunday with Nancy at the wheel of Diligence and Susan alonfg for the ride. Nancy, Ben and I had a good second dive at Coyote Cove.Here are some photos of the first dive. We got going pretty good towards the end of the dive in the shallower water. Weather was calm, sunny and cool 47 deg F in the water.
Amongst the many things we saw on this hi life dive as we went along the wall were plenty of opalescent Nudibranchs and a few very small Gorgonian corals .

Powell River Mermaid photo's

2011-12-09T21:42:00.000-08:00

Here are a few photo's I have been taking recently for a project series on the Mermaid of Powell River

Aggy Wall Gorgonians

2011-12-08T09:43:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we went to the Aggy wall for for a look at the Gorgonians. Clear, cool day in fairly clear cold water saw 46 deg F @ 165 feet. We were here a week ago and the visibility was not very good after a few heavy rainfalls and storms so it was a treat to get some vis for a few photos. It always feels like a privilege to get the occasional good look at these corals .It was a great relaxing dive with Mac and Gary .Thanks guys!

Ball Point and Fairview Bay

2011-11-28T20:00:00.001-08:00

Well the water is really starting to clear up and I have just started to take the camera out again. While last week we dove the Chaudiere in the Sechelt Inlet for a night and day dive this Sunday Sasha,Mitch and I went to Ball Point and Fairview Bay with an outboard hunt in between. We saw about three Humpbacked whales right off Saltery Bay when we started out and then saw them again blowing in the distance just before dark. The water is not as clear as it was as the winds and tides have been very high recently. Here are a few photo's

large local group dives Mermaid en masse

2011-10-17T08:08:00.000-07:00

WOW!!
Sunday was wild with a large local Powell River group touring to the Mermaid. It was great to see so many folks in the water. The visibility is really improving and now out to 80 feet or so and water temp staying in the 53 deg F area for last while.
While I took a couple pic's of herself and a couple fins i sort of had the wrong lens for the occasion so kept to the macro's. What looks to be a mosshead warbonnet did not want to miss anything and showed up in one

back looking for Octo's on Mermaid wall

2011-10-13T23:14:00.000-07:00

Wayne, Andy and I went back Wed late afternoon to try for some better shots at the octo's living around the Mermaid wall but did not see them. There was however the strongest current I have ever encountered at the Mermaid wall heading in a WSWest outflow from Jervis ,Skookumchuck allowing us a serious Jan Fonda dive swim workout if not an opportunity to photograph the local octopi.I did get a few other photo's including one of a very fall feeling but out of place in 40 feet of seawater maple leaf on the bottom.
Fall is here and winter just around the bend

First shoot of winter on the day after Thanksgiving

2011-10-11T06:05:00.000-07:00

Finally felt like the water was clear enough to get some decent photo's so got my camera out.While there is a ways to go the visability is fair right now.Water temperature still balmy at 54 deg F @130ft.

I did not run a September charter and may or may not get one in in late October as Gradient and my house were both getting me to do a bunch of weather sensitive pre winter maintenance, upgrades and repair work that is still not quite finished.

Here is what I saw yesterday. I am going back again today hoping the fairly large octopus is feeling more photogenic. I hope you enjoy the first takes of this winter's dive photos.

Gulf Stream and Emmonds Reef dives

2011-09-05T22:22:00.000-07:00

I am a bit tardy again posting but spent the time trying to correctly identify the shark Wayne and I saw on our Gulf Stream dive at Dinner Rock On Aug 28. It was about 5 feet long and greyish with no dogfish spots on its sides.It had a very floppy adipose fin and a wider less angular snout than a dogfish. Our best guess is that is a Tope shark. Wayne ands I also saw a small 3 ft. dogfish at the stern tube of wreck by plaque. Andy and Rob saw what they said was also not a dogfish and thought to be same shark on this dive also.
Diving on the Gulf Stream was great as always. It was a super sunny flat water day and we timed the slack and tide just right.Vis good at depth and OK in shallow water. I can hardly wait to go back.
The current was running hard to north by the time we anchored off outside north of Emmonds Reef and we got about 3/4 of the ways around it with tide coming up allowing us to swim across shallow northerly section back to boat. Hard slogging for first bit then good fast drift.
I am not sure where or exactly when next charter will go as Gradient is getting all her trim stripped,re caulked and re varnished presently and I am going to keep at it till it is done before taking her out.
Thanks to Andy for help with oil change and Terry for sanding and varnishing on Saturday.
Thanks again to Rob and Wayne for their continued support also.

Wildlife touring Powell River, Harwood Island, Vivian Island and Texada's Coho Point Blubber Bay area

2011-08-25T17:17:00.000-07:00

I am really glad I waited for Melanie to send me some of the stunning photo's she took while we were out touring around last week before i posted. Melanie's photographs really tell the tale of our day better than anything i can say. We went out to get in a bit of fishing with Fred, to let Melanie get a few wildlife photographs from the boat and to show their mother Isabel and Melanie a bit of what the Powell River area looks like from the water.
WOW! Did we ever get a spectacular show by somewhere well over 300 pacific white sided dolphins playing and feeding just in front of town. As you can see Melanie captured them at their best. Isabel enjoyed the scenery and Fred got himself a nice spring off Coho Point to cap it off .
Thanks to all of you for making a great day!

Sunday Aug 28 charter to MV Gulf Stream wreck and Emmonds Reef

2011-08-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder!
Gradient Charters next scheduled monthly $75 charter is Sunday Aug 28th 2011
The self guided dive charter will be leaving from Powell River's north harbour new floats, slip # 29 (at far north end of North harbour north of small boat launch) at 9:45 AM for the Gulf Stream wreck and Emmond's reef (NOTE this earlier departure time which will allow advanced deep certified divers an NDL look at the MV Gulf Stream at low tide) . The Gulf Stream will be a last minute call based on the group ( # s and experience ) and weather . Alternate sites may be chosen at time of charter.
Please book and secure a spot by paying in advance at Alpha Dive or Suncoast Diving with cash.

There are currently 4 spots available. Please make your intentions known in advance and secure a spot by payment in full or deposit by Friday Aug 26 afternoon.

UBC Dive Club Charter

2011-08-17T18:28:00.000-07:00

We took members of the UBC dive club out to Vivian Island and to Cyril Rock on Sunday. Weather started a bit on the windy side and surface currents were strong at the beginning of the second dive on Cyril Rock.
Visability was fairly good and no Algae blooms were encountered.
Thanks to Emma for organizing it Bjorn for Dive mastering and helping out on boat and to Adrian, Michael, Emily, Jessica, Robbie and Dejan for coming out.
We look forward to seeing each of you again soon.

Sunday Aug 28 charter to MV Gulf Stream wreck and Emmonds Reef

2011-07-26T10:19:00.000-07:00

Gradient Charters
next scheduled monthly $75 charter is Sunday Aug 28th, 2011
The self guided dive charter will be leaving from Powell River's north harbour new floats (at far north end of North harbour north of small boat launch) at 9:45 AM for the Gulf Stream wreck and Emmond's reef (NOTE this earlier departure time will allow advanced deep certified divers an NDL look at the MV Gulf Stream at low tide) . The Gulf Stream will be a last minute call based on the group ( # s and experience ) and weather . Alternate sites may be chosen at time of charter. Please book and secure a spot by paying in advance at Alpha Dive or Suncoast Diving with cash. Please make your intentions known in advance and secure a spot by payment in full or deposit by Friday Aug 19 afternoon.

A good day on Capilano wreck and Vivian wall

2011-07-24T21:03:00.000-07:00

We had a great day of sun and very good sea conditions in the strait for a dive on the Capilano which was at about 134 feet to the bottom. Capilano was shrouded in the white plumose anemones and loads of rockfish of all types and many ling cod were around.
Second dive at the Vivian wall saw the rebreather guys viewing super sized cloud sponges and Yellow eye at around the 170 foot area.
It was good. Thanks to you all.

Red Flabellina's

2011-07-13T08:03:00.000-07:00

The visability has finally improved enough to take out the camera which has lain neglected for way too long. Visability still has a ways to go but i could not resist shooting the red flabellina's at the mermaid site who have been laying their egg ribbons for last couple weeks. We also saw plenty of fish and a freshly scraped mermaid who dodged the macro lens. Warm water , improving vis. Great afternoon dive.

July 24 monthly scheduled dive club charter

2011-07-09T17:53:00.000-07:00

Thought I would post an update for the last super cheap monthly charter.
Due to increasing fuel costs specifically and increasing overall costs in general we will be increasing the monthly charter to a still incredibly low $75. for Aug and thereafter

Gradient Charters scheduled monthly $65 charter for Sunday July 24
self guided dive charter will be leaving from Powell River's north harbour new floats, slip # 29 (at far north end of North harbour north of small boat launch) at 10:30 for the Capilano wreck and Vivian wall . The Capilano will be a last minute call based on the
group ( # s and experience ), sea state and weather . Alternate sites may be chosen at time of charter. Please book and secure a spot by paying in advance at Alpha Dive or Suncoast Diving with cash. Please make your intentions known in advance and secure a spot by Friday July 22 afternoon. At this time there are 4 spots left available. For the monthly charters I would like to remind everyone that all divers are to be certified at advanced open water , deep diver or equivalent with proof of recently logged cold water dives as a minimum standard to help with overall dive safety, matching site choices to a larger group and to assist group dynamics on unguided charters. All certification level divers are welcome to call 604 483 9554 and ask about arranging site and group specific charters at regular rates. See Scott and Kathy at Alpha or Rob at Suncoast for upgrading your certification to participate in the monthly scheduled charters.

Wayne, Andy and I took advantage of the great weather and were out in the middle of Georgia Strait south of Mittlenatch explore diving in the middle of last week.
I just got in from a dive at the Mermaid with Scott and Helen.We saw a few red flabellina nudibranchs in the process of laying egg ribbons . Congratulations Helen on completing your decompression procedures course. Vis has improved in the last couple weeks and is fair at about 60 plus feet under 25 feet with a bit of particulate suspended in clumps .
Water temp a balmy 48 deg F at 150 feet. Its great to see the vis improving

Monthly Sunday Charter

2011-06-26T17:53:00.000-07:00

Many thanks again for the support of everyone who participated in today's first charter from newly redone north harbour of Powell River to Vivian Island wall.
Visability was fair under 50 feet. Water temp a balmy 48F at about 120 feet.
We saw rockfish galore,some monstrous Puget Sound king crabs, a decorated warbonnet hanging out in the boom chain fixing the float to the bottom, many king size ling cod and numerous cloud sponges.
I will post the date of July's charter by the end of next week.

Reminder of June 26 Sunshine Coast Dive Club Charter

2011-06-20T21:09:00.000-07:00

Hi I just wanted to post a reminder of this upcoming weekends charter

Gradient Charters June 26 scheduled $65.00 self guided dive charter will be leaving from Powell River's north harbour new floats, slip # 28 (at far north end of North harbour north of small boat launch) at 10:30 for Vivian Island wall dive with second dive likely being on remains of tug Shamrock.We look forward to seeing you there. Please pay in advance at Alpha Dive, Suncoast Diving or cash only on Sunday. Please make your intentions known in advance and secure a spot by Friday afternoon.

Hope to see you there!

Nanaimo Dives ,Cape Breton and Saskatchewan

2011-06-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

No photo's of this one. Ouch!
Visability was good at about 80+ feet.
I went Sunday with Jim Rossi and a group from Greg McCraken's, Ocean Quest dive centre aboard Sea Dragon Charters ,Sea Dragon skippered by Mamro Adventures Dan Ferris.
I really must get on another of these with a camera in my hands. Coast guard hovercraft arrived and deployed surface supply divers on Saskatchewan as we were doing our surface interval after dive on Cape Breton. We met one of these divers on our second dive on the Saskatchewan. There was plenty to see and lots of life on both of these artificial reef's. Jim and I saw the largest Yelloweye rockfish we have ever seen and Stuart's group saw a wolf eel on the Cape Breton. Both are amply covered in plumose anemones and present great diving for a broad spectrum of divers.

Many thanks to Jim, Greg , Dan and Christine for a great couple dives on two must see artificial reefs.

Horace Head

2011-05-14T12:46:00.000-07:00

Got out with Andy and Bruce for a dive to one of our past favourites.Lots of cloud sponges in the 90 plus foot area and plenty of Jellies in the 20 and under. Water temperature is coming up at 49 deg. F but the visability is fairly mediocre in the middle of the water 20 to 100 feet. Shallow under 20 foot is clear, Deep under 100 is just fair. Definitely not dome lens time of year.

Wreck of tug Chemainus

2011-05-02T15:12:00.000-07:00

Oops. Don't know quite how but I nearly forgot about this dive . Back was troubling me and it got left in the dust. Rob, Bruce and Bill dove on the tug, north of Lund in Ragged's not so long ago. Lots of life in and on the remains of the wreck purported to be that of the tug Chemainus .There is also enough left to make it a great afternoon dive.

Sarah Point

2011-05-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

Went again yesterday with Ben to Sarah Point.
Great sunny afternoon. fairly high current on either side of the point .

A fine day to be out on the water.

Powell Islets Pinnacle

2011-05-01T11:15:00.000-07:00

Went out off the Copelands yesterday with Ben and Mac. got a couple great dives in ,Saw the largest Wolf Eel but could not get a picas it was way bak in crack in rock .
Great company and a sunny day. Still a bit cool Vis is soso

second charter of year

2011-04-25T22:34:00.000-07:00

Sunday May 15, 2011 we will be taking out the second of what we hope to be a monthly two dive charter for the members of the Sunshine Coast Dive Club and interested parties. The upcoming charter is to Desolation Sound area and will be leaving the Okeover Government dock at 10:30 am.

Advance cash payment can be made at Alpha Dive and Kayak in Powell River and Suncoast Diving in Sechelt.

Cost is $65.00 per person. More information can be obtained at the two above listed dive shops.

Hope to see you there!

Okeover Caves

2011-04-04T15:28:00.000-07:00

Just moved to Okeover at month end after a great winter in Lund. Susan, Nadyne, Joe and Eddie went out for a windy dive .

Gulf Stream Wreck

2011-03-06T10:30:00.000-08:00

Great dive on wreck of Gulfstream with a well organized group of 7. Sorry no pictures.
Pics are all from second dive at Major Island. Sunny ,windless day we arrived at Gulfstream in time to catch her at low tide on about a 7 foot tide and slack current. Water temp 43-45 F ,vis at 50+ feet.

Lovely

Morgan Island

2011-03-01T17:05:00.000-08:00

Went out Sunday with a great bunch to Morgan island. The weather was brisk ,windy around Lund,Sarah Point and the mouth of Okeover blowing at 25 +. water temp was 43 f ,skies overcast.
We had two great dives with vis at about 85 feet and clearer than around Powell River at present.
Many thanks to Tracy for Susans yummy birthday cake.

Two strobe two-step. More light more learning!

2011-02-05T10:49:00.000-08:00

Sold a few lenses from old rig and invested in another slightly more powerful strobe to cut the murk. Grabbed a couple dives yesterday with Bruce Waites and Jim Rossi trying to duplicate the dive with Bruce and three stellars . We got skunked again on the sea lions at the Malahat. Lots of California's around in the area just not anywhere near us. Jim and I got another one in at Mermaid wall before he returned to Sechelt. Temp 45 deg F, Vis soso 70 ft with more particulate in water than recently .
There will be lots of learning coming up getting the two strobe steps more fluid mentally and their light wash more flattering beyond the more light on subject stage. Learned that two light sources equals twice as many backscatter opportunities .

Closest we would get to the sea lions are the two on the breakwater in far backround!

Malahat

2011-01-30T17:43:00.000-08:00

Got out for a couple splashes with the sea lions at Malahat. On the first dive three of them were all around Bruce and I but only had macro lens so missed a great opportunity for photos but had a lot of fun. Next time with Wayne and Mitch I had a wide angle ready but we barely saw them at a bit of a distance as we were coming back along the breakwater. I will go back and try a few more times in the near future.
Lots of great nudibranchs on the breakwater.

Water is 45 deg f vis at about 70 ft and a bit turbid for this time of year.

2011-01-26T14:57:00.000-08:00

Went for shore dive at mermaid wall looking for a large octopus that had been seen recently in a large crack. Saw no octopi but met a couple of rockfish and a crab who were very keen on being photographed close up.

2011-01-12T10:53:00.000-08:00

Another crisp day visit to Octopus City. Did not have Ben's strobe as bait so did not get much shooting of the friendly but shy fellow.
did manage quite a few shots of hooded nudibranchs .Water temperature was 43 deg F and vis was 80 ft with some fresh water mixing

New Years day dive.

2011-01-02T07:19:00.000-08:00

New Years day dive with a group from the Alpha Dive Shop to Octopus City.
Crisp sunny afternoon. water temp was 45 deg. F , vis at 100 ft plus and clear.
Saw a couple octos for first time at this site, and lots of hooded nudibranchs on eelgrass among other things. Hey, even saw one octopus lay a mitt on Bens strobe.

Great afternoon

Iron Mines macro's

2010-12-31T11:39:00.000-08:00

Went out yesterday on a sunny crisp day for a great couple dives at the Iron Mines site. Diligent One came alongside and Andi, Ben, Gary,Bill, Susie, Helen and Anjie all hung out or dove. there were a couple stellar Sea lions hanging around on the second dive along with the largest ever puget sound king crab we have seen. Ben may have got some good video of the sea lions while Bill had his face to the wall with the macro lens. Looks like the eyes have it on this day. Vis was great at 100ft plus.
I hope 2011 is a great year for everybody diving. Please feel free to post a comment when you are here.
Hope you like the photo's!

Diving with the Devilfish. Part #2 Nemo's Leap

2010-12-20T12:29:00.000-08:00

Here are a selection of photos taken on the second dive with Kal and the Devilfish at the dive site Nemo's Leap on Saturday December 18. Thanks again Kal.

Diving with the Devilfish. Part #1 Observation Wall

2010-12-19T10:40:00.000-08:00

Jealousy prevails as Bill went south yesterday with his camera to dive the Skookumchuck with the Devilfish, Kal, Anne, Rossi and his posse and a few lucky others. To contact the Devilfish directly look in Helpful Links here and go to Porpoise Bay Charters. Photo opportunities were as plentiful as the life is abundant in this high flow area. The visibility was great 80 ft plus. Kal timed the entry and exit at the Observation Wall perfectly. the photos speak for themselves and show what you will see here.

2010-12-12T12:06:00.000-08:00

Went out on Saturday fun dive with a crew from Alpha Dive led by Andi for another dip at the Mermaid.

2010-12-10T08:33:00.000-08:00

Bruce and Bill ran away for another splash at the mermaid wall with the macro lens. Visability was a bit less after storm stirred up the bottom a bit. Water temp 46 deg F.

New foam and Sunbrella seat covers were installed with the possibility of some more christmas goodies like docklines , a couple scotchmen , curtains to match the seat covers .

hand of a Mermaid

eye of a Waites

2010-12-07T21:20:00.000-08:00

Finally got out on a blustery rain filled day for a shore dive after the kitchen reno that has not let up in its workload demands appears to not only finally be slowly grinding its way towards completion but also allowing another brief escape from its clutches. Not entirely sure when it will get to three days diving and a couple working but can hardly wait.
Water is clear for about 75 ft vis and has cooled to about 46 degrees F. Still a few krill in the water but not everywhere.

2010-11-13T10:26:00.000-08:00

Gradient tied to the dock in Lund as Bill and Eventually Andi went shore diving with Jim Rossi and the Capilano College crew at the Mermaid and then the Malahat. Camera problems abounded as we saw Mr. Rossi turn from thoughtful group leader into a camera head shortly after the Mermaid gave us a few fingers.

2010-11-07T09:22:00.000-08:00

Took a couple days to get back and then get this post out. Andi and Bill left Lund and went up Lewis Channel to Raza Island for a night in Francis Bay and a day diving in the Raza, Double island area and then back to Prideax Haven on a night run down Waddington Channel followed by another day diving around Prideaux . Special thanks to John Irwin of Irwin Air for advice on our compressor or we would have turned around after first night in Francis Bay. We found great diving everywhere we stopped. There is still alot of krill in the water but overall water clarity beyond that is great.

This picture of Andi at sunset by Double Island really says it all about this trip. Hope you like the selection of other photo's.

2010-10-24T08:47:00.000-07:00

Windy day so another shore dive at Mermaid with a large Saturday group.

2010-10-20T21:43:00.000-07:00

Big thanks to Pam Oliva at DUI for great customer service on my CF200 drysuit. It is always a pleasure to do business with a company that cares about its products and the people using them.

Played a bit of hooky on the new kitchens electrical project and got a fine shore dive on the Mermaid wall with Andi and Bruce.

2010-10-18T10:37:00.000-07:00

We had a great sunny fall day diving on the south end of Cortez Island yesterday and on a pinnacle in the area. Good to see a wolf Eel and a shy and quickly retiring octopus. New camera is a delight.

2010-10-04T11:53:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple more shots from the wreck of the Chemainus dive yesterday.

2010-10-04T07:10:00.000-07:00

Been a long time again between posts but finally got away from the dock for a couple dives on Kinghorn Island west walls and wreck of tug Chemainus.
Hope to get out regularly now with camera and put fresh posts up every couple weeks at maximum.

2010-08-08T20:22:00.000-07:00

Gradients decks freshly gel coated and just starting some interior alterations.

Just got back from a dive with the new camera finally.

Still have a few things to figure out but have strobe working now .

2010-07-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

Gradient was out on a sunny, calm summer day charter yesterday to the Iron Mines wall for a drift dive and another wall dive at the Vivian Island wall. Along with plenty of sponges, ling cod, and rockfish, a wolf eel and large puget sound king crab was spotted at the Iron Mines and an octopus at the Vivian Wall.
The visability is good under 45 ft with water temperatures at an average 51 degrees F. Thanks Dave and Peter.

2010-07-14T11:48:00.000-07:00

I have been out on the boat quite a bit in the last few days. We had a couple great dives on the Vivian Island wall and off Texada where we encountered a pair of Wolf Eel in their den.
Visibility is good for the summer at under 20 ft and at about 45 ft and under . I have just done 1st dive with new camera and am getting used to it. I will post some fresh photos when i have the bugs worked out.

2010-06-24T22:01:00.000-07:00

Its been awhile to put it mildly. Just got in from a couple dives on the Dakota and dove the Gulfstream at Dinner Rock a couple days back. I am just getting back into the swing of things again and am having a good time even though the vis is soso. It cleans up under 40 ft. Going out to Vivian Isl. wall tomorrow for a couple.
I have not got my new camera up and running yet , so photos shall not be happening for a bit.
It feels like summer is here now and its just great being out on the water.

2010-04-30T21:37:00.000-07:00

Andi and I did another test dive off of Powell Islets today.
The visibility is improved from just over a week ago on a less than bright day but still lots of clumpy particles and piles of krill in the water where we were. Vis at 50 ft about 50 ft. Vis at 100 about 25-30 feet.
Hope this improves a bit more over the next couple weeks.

We managed to get a few prawns while we were there.

2010-04-20T07:57:00.000-07:00

I have not been diving or boating much as the visibility is still very poor. Andi and I did however get out yesterday to check on visability and do a light check and comparison at Mermaid. Could not have asked for better daylight conditions to check out lights in. It was similar to night diving. Vis is about 25 ft at 115 ft and less in mid range of water column 40-90 ft. These water conditions have got me working on house while waiting for bloom to disappear and camera gear to arrive. Big thanks to Randy at Piranha Dive for the 220 lumen handlight's . I shall be using mine all the time as it is almost as bright as a light cannon and about 1/4 the size and weight.

2010-04-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

April 11 2010.

I've been away from the blog a bit because of having a head cold , stormy weather locally and poor visibility brought on by the weather.

Andi and I moved Gradient back to Lund yesterday. Gorgeous sunny day. We did not get a dive or 2 because of our colds but look forward to diving later this coming week.

I have been busy finding myself a new camera. Many thanks to Jack Connick of Optical OceanSales.com and Ryan Canon and Tony of Reef Photo and Video for their help and assistance during the process.

After much research I chose a Nikon D90 with Nauticam housing, viewfinder and ports to support a 60mm Nikon macro lens, a Zen 100 small dome for a 10-17 Tokina wide angle. I added a 17-70 Sigma for an all round lens but have no port for it so it will have to stay ashore for now. The Sigma should get plenty of action at the start before i head into the water as i transition from my trusty Fuji E900 to my first DSLR. While loving my E900 i look forward to receiving and getting in the water with the new rig as soon as possible.

2010-03-23T11:22:00.000-07:00

March 22, 2010

Back up in Desolation Sound with Andi, Scott and Wayne exploring. Finding some good walls looking for more.

2010-03-21T11:55:00.000-07:00

March 20, 2010

Oops, got too busy dive exploring to blog. We are looking for new sites and revisiting old ones in Desolation Sound at present. so far have dove Sky Pilot rock,Pringle rock

Curme Isl's. Bold head area, Okeover caves and some others in Okeover inlet

Weather has been great,Vis very good.

2010-03-12T20:32:00.000-08:00

Moving Again.

Lots of work going on at Lund dock for the next couple weeks with float replacement.

We have moved Gradient to Okeover Inlet for this time frame to do a bit of exploration looking for the wreck of a small freighter from the 1920s rumoured to have sunk after striking Boundary Rock at the south end of the Goode Peninsula and also to see if we can find some more caves and good wall dives.

The extra 100 feet of new dock will great for Lund.

Weather was too poor to get a good anchor set at Kinghorn Isl. so we went directly to Bunster Pt. in Lancelot inlet for a wall dive exploration .

No caves and not a ton of fish but spectacular wall and topography.

2010-03-06T08:02:00.000-08:00

Mar 5, 2010.

Great day for diving on wreck Capilano.

Sunny, calm and almost tropical with minor imagination.

Good visability, tons of good size rockfish a monster yellow eye and lots of large lingcod.

A great day with good company. Apologies for keeping Ben away from work.

2010-02-17T07:59:00.001-08:00

2010-02-17T07:49:00.000-08:00

We have just moved up to Lund two days ago and are looking forward to 3 month's diving there. Here are a few of the last pictures taken after spending a good month diving out of Saltery Bay .Three from Fairview Bay and Mermaid at night.

2010-02-14T00:04:00.000-08:00

2010-02-13T18:05:00.000-08:00

2010-02-12T21:35:00.000-08:00

Gradient Diving

2010-02-12T15:46:00.000-08:00

A great new dive charter vessel on the North Sunshine Coast.
Just leaving Saltery Bay after a month of good diving .

Operating out of Lund B.C. for next three months starting Feb 20th