Duane
Key Largo March 9th 2002
Wreck Diver-Capt Jeff Wingate.

After the previous  two weekends with really big waves, it was so nice to go out this morning and find the seas only 1-2ft and the sun shining.   I couldn't help but think how awesome it was just enjoying the ride out.   We were standing in the bow, looking anxiously to see the visibility and looking for blue water.. It was still  there :-).. 

One of the group did not show up, so it was really nice, to have the entire boat between three of us.  This of course enabled me to work on my ulterior motive which was to go through wreck and check for available penetration options (for future reference)

On arrival at the wreck we quickly donned our gear and jumped... Wowee yet again, fairly  clear water and no current... I'm having a great run of this lately :-).    The three of us descended, not even using the downline yet .  As we got deeper a current did appear that was moving from the stern to the bow and made it a bit hard work since we landed at the bow.     I swam along the main deck level towards the stern.  The visibility was not as clear as at the surface but was still a good 60-70ft.   We didn't check the swim throughs yet but saved that for the return trip back to the upline.   It was interesting to note that the deck railings are collapsed on one side.  The Duane is an excellently intact wreck but even this cool ship is now showing signs of  being reclaimed by the ocean.   I  stopped half way to do a quick tour inside one of the rooms on the main deck, then dropped down over the deck railing and swam towards the stern.  As I reached the rudder, I dropped down to the sand to check things out.. I could see no entry spots as rumoured, but have heard since then that they may already be filled with sand and that's why I didn't see them.    At the stern there is a small window about 10 feet below the main deck.  I peered in and spotted a small room.. but the window was way to small for any real options to get inside (maybe if you covered yourself with lard you could slide through  =:-o....)

I slowly made my way back to the superstructure... much easier now going with the current... Almost too fast!!!  so I quickly popped inside to hide from the current and check everything out.  I went into what was supposed to be the old crew quarters, and infirmary.. I spotted the loo (toilet to non-brits).  but I didn't need it so I left after quickly checking the floor for holes.  Nothing here.    I went into the next room and found a strange thing... the room was completely stuffed with old furniture... so much of it that it was blocking the doorway.     Throughout the dive I seemed to crawl allover the main deck level.. as if I hadn't been there before.. but somehow on this day I was feeling particularly sharp and enjoying everything as if it was new.. (curious.. because there was no helium involved either).   I found the known spots for entry.. and briefly examined them for  size.. Hmmm they are still pretty small.... I poked my head in and shone the light around... tempting YES.. but not today since I was supposed to be working (smirk)... I gradually worked my way towards the bow.. and hung out there for a little while, just to make sure that I didn't go up before my BT was all used... even then It was hard to leave.. We had spent so much time examining the main deck that only a short excursion to the upper decks was possible..

The ascent was smooth and comfortable on the line due to the excellent conditions,  but I still couldn't resist playing with my new handy jon line at 20ft for my deco stop there.   Capt Jeff had said that there were lots of sailfishes around lately and to keep a look out for them. Unfortunately I didn't spot a sailfish. but what I DID spot when peeking below and behind me (you never know what's lurking).  There were at least 100 barracuda all silently hanging out behind my back.   Why is it that they never go in front where you can keep an eye on them.  Oh well,  they didn't seem to nosey today anyway and it was almost time to leave.

I have dived this wreck many times but I never seem to run out of things to look at or find it mundane or ordinary.  It truly is a magnificent dive. 

We made a short reef dive on the way home for Hernan to do some skills, like lift bags and stuff, then headed back to the dock.. Yeah I know we were only supposed to be down for 20 minutes (boat schedule)  but I saw some really awesome midnight parrotfish and simply had to watch them for a while.. :-)... 

Then it was time for a quick pitstop at Gilberts to revive ourselves and then back home.. :-).