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Thanks for the observations

Dived Angelfish. Nice dive, lots of fish including a huge Moray and Goliath grouper. Dive is in good shape. Headed up to Cooper to swap tanks and have lunch. Massive thunder storm rolled in passing just west. Wind picked up to 27 knots sustained at Cooper. Watched a Moorings 4000 coming up the SFD under full sail with one of the ugliest thunderstorms I have seen in years roaring at them. It appeared he actually got a hull out of the water. I have never watched a cruising cat do that. The boat rounded up and recovered and they finally dropped sail. Storms finally clearing out now but we broke out the beer and tossed the towel in on a second dive. Had not planned to overnight at Cooper but looks like we will hunker down here for the night.
G

Spectacular post storm sunset at Cooper!
G

We’re at Cooper tonight, too.

What boat? We are heading over to dive the Rhône in about an hour.
G

We’re on Galeaux

Dove the Rhône today. There is quite a bit of damage to the bow section. More than the other reports I saw. Collapsed areas almost the length of the hull but still a great dive. We were one tanking the dive so did not get explore however I don’t think there are any safe swim throughs. Went down with almost no current. By the time we came up it was moving. After dropping the mooring there was enough current to keep the ball under with no boat! Off to the dogs to escape the ESE wind for our last dive.
G

Really appreciate the thread and updates GeorgeC1 as we will be down in about a week and a half for our first post Irma trip. Your report is getting me even more excited. Couple of quick questions when you have time or anyone else if they know and can chime in.

1) Sounded like Kodiak Queen was just ho hum for you. You think it is worth the effort to dive it? Can you give me an idea how the wreck is oriented in relation to the dive balls? Having trouble locating any specific info from the dive sites.

2) Have never dove Bronco Billy. Assuming there is a dive ball there can you give me a brief dive orientation of how you approach it? (I.e. Do you just head north around the northwestern tip of George Dog until you reach the canyon you mentioned and then turn back or is the cavern more heading south from the dive ball?)

No hurry on answers btw. Just if you have some time when you post again. I look forward to these threads as they really do help a lot. Thanks again and enjoy your trip!

1. I would certainly dive the Kodiak Queen. It’s a easy dive with some safe swim throughs. The rusty looking ball is on the stern of the ship. The white ball is near the bow and a bit west.

2. There are two dive balls at Bronco Billy. Try and get the one closest to the point. Just off the point about 15 meters is a swim through that is the traditional dive start. We surface swim to near the point then go down. From there follow the shoreline to the right. Very scenic dive with lots to see. There is a large deep cavern with a smooth small rock bottom that marks the normal turn around point.

Really enjoying your updates! Been too long (2 years this Oct) since we've been down. Really hope we can get down again soon, but our boat is up here in Rhode Island now. Hoping to sell.. if we don't, maybe we'll get her back down there this winter.

Hi George

Are you by chance coming up Leverick Bay way on your travels? If you are any chance of stopping by Office Max or Home Depot and getting some bubble wrap 100ft x 12 or 18 inch. Only if you are passing? None on Tortola and Speedys don't have a ferry yet

I looked into shipping you some, UPS would cost $483.....LOL. I could buy a plane ticket and deliver it myself for that price!

Hi Nick, I would have been happy to however we were at Leverick last Friday and just arrived in ATL on the way home.
G

We finished the last night of the trip in great harbor but did not get over to the WillyT. New boat looked good however! Overall the mpression is that very little has changed from the standpoint of a sailing charter. Book a boat and head down. They need the business and you will have a great time!
G

Thanks for the reply on the diving questions. Headed down Sunday to contribute as well. Hope to get back in November as well. Appreciate the updates. Per chance did you stop by Norman? Had heard that Pirates was open but then someone said it was fenced in a week ago I think.

We were there and Pirates was fenced off. Not sure if it was open behind the fence. Place next door appeared open.

Hey George-

It was great seeing you and glad to have been of service on your trip home!

Dave