Location: Marina Cay
July 17 started off with an early morning sail. Mere Cat, with a few extra dive instructors, made our way to The Dogs. We ate breakfast burritos underway, made by Bella and Kayleigh. Once we arrived, we set up our kits, and Breakaway arrived on the dinghy. All the DMTs helped the open water shippies set their tanks up. Harley, Amanda, Caroline, and Sean got in the water to be assistants to the instructors. The rest of the DMTs started planning out their mapping dive. We split the groups up into different quadrants that surrounded the mooring ball. I was able to go on a quick dive with Sela.
On this dive, we found a swim-through that was very narrow but a lot of fun. Once the open water students left our boat, we had mac n cheese for lunch. We did a tank run for the advanced students that were coming on our boat for a fish id dive. While the advanced students were setting up their kits, I asked Ben, one of the dive instructors, to help me with navigation so that when I went on my mapping dive, I didn’t get lost. Ben told me that I needed to put a bucket on my head so that all I could see was the compass. I then was told different headings and made my way around the boat; the next thing I knew, I was at the edge of the transom. I may have fallen for putting a bucket on my head but not for stepping into the water. I fell in anyways, but that’s beside the point. Aidan, as well as a few other DMTs, went with the advanced students on the fish Id dive. I can say that Amanda and I made it back to the boat after our mapping dive. Once everyone was on the surface, we all helped clean up the gear on the bow, and we got underway and headed to …. Once we arrived, we were able to get water on the dock. Aidan was given the chance to pull us into the dock, and he did it perfectly and didn’t hit anything. After we filled up on water, we anchored. We all jumped into the water and started our ocean showers.
The current was really strong and made it a little bit harder to shower but we all got through it. After showers, we had dinner. It was tortellini and garlic bread! During dinner, we got a phone call from Mike. Aidan answered it, and Mike gave the DMTs two options. The first was to listen to the life works tape, and the second was to go onto the scrub island and get ice cream!! Of course, we chose the second option! After ice cream, we were brought back to the boat and enjoyed some quality AC before heading to bed. Today was one of the best days for the DMTs, at least I thought it was! Until next time.
xoxo HP