Posted by Captain Tim Burke on October 02, 2002 at 22:05:21:


Ship's log 10/2/02

Once again time flies. It is now Bug Season. I think that this is the very first year that I did not go diving, or catch one bug. Well……..on to better things. The plan was to head to Cortez Banks and then, see what happened. Everyone was excited at the docks, including me. I love Bug Season, always have, always will. I pulled the boat out of the dock at exactly 10:00pm. Turned the boat over to the second captain as we left Angles Gate. I knew with in a few minutes that we would make it to Cortez. It was a beautiful crossing and all slept well. At about 06:30 I heard the "Encore and Ocean Odyssey" talking about the wreck at Cortez. I opted for 9fathoms. Big mistake. We ended up there at about 08:00. First dive, over 50 bugs were brought up. Some very good sized ones. The problem, all females with eggs. I asked every diver to let them go, and all bug one diver did (no law against taking bugs with eggs, only their future). We left there and went to the kelp bad at Cortez. Did I mention that I love bug season?
After many dives that day we ended up with around 150 bugs. A nite dive at Cortez. Does not happen very often. But, the water was so calm; that I thought it would be ok. Dr. Richard told me that it was the first time in 15 years that anyone let him dive Cortez at nite. Perhaps not the wisest thing to do, but different.
Second day, still at Cortez. Many more bugs taken. Then things started to change. Huge swells, and ripping currents. By the way, a big THANK YOU to Greg and the crew of the "Ocean Odyssey". They helped recover a few divers that got caught in the current that took them behind their boat. I owe Greg a lunch.
After these problems we decided it was time to leave. We headed to San Nick. Made a nite dive, where Terry caught the biggest bug of the trip, for the bug pot. Most, though, did not do well. Welcome to Nic. The next day we hit the Alfa area, and did very bad. I think only 6 bugs in all taken. Dr. Richard though, caught a 9 pounder. He was very happy. I enjoyed this trip, as did the passengers, and crew. Did I mention, I love Bug Season?

Captain Tim Burke