The Algol on the John Jack

After the very cool BarBQ Nite Dive on the John Jack I showed up Sat Nite in Pt Pleasant a the dock around 10pm to sleep on the boat. The boat pulled in around 11pm with many divers from Treasure Coves trip. I managed to wrestle my favorite bunk from someone and we settled in for a nice nite of A/C and a gently rocking boat. Authors Note: The ability for 10 guys to sleep on the boat in a cool, comfortable bunk is by far a great perk and another great reason to charter the John Jack.

I awoke Sunday Morning Sept 23rd to the rythmic snores of Gerhard and Colin. The sun was bright with a slight ocean breeze to keep us form sweating while loading the boat. Me and Capt Zero made a quick run for ice to fill the large cooler with water and we were off. Our crew was Roger Heins, Capt Rich and Capt Zero. Gerhard and myself filled in spot duty if extra help was needed.

My charter to the Algol was a who's who of PA Quarry Diving: Colin, Gerhard, Tibz, The Rock, Mayo, Joe Dormer, Mild Bill Hockley. John Kat had his Inspiration and JameZ had his KISS Classic and then there was me. We were joined by Jimmy and his son [who I had never met before]. We had a great group of guys and the "jokes" were flying before we even left the dock at 7am.

The ride out to the wreck was uneventful and everyone seemed in a great mood. A few slept, a few rode out on the deck and a few were sleeping. We hit the wreck and Gerhard jumped in to tie us in. We were tied in and the pool was pronounced open 10 mins later. Roger and I helped divers get geared up and get in the water. Capt Zero "suggested" I dive last and pull the hook since the weather picked up and we were gonna move farther in toward the dock for the 2nd dive.

Funny story:
Jimmy was gearing up and started to overheat, so he decided to call the dive. After about 20 mins and still in his drysuit he was overheating. And be gan the tell-tale signs of hurling or chucking or whatever you call it . . .he was gonna puke. I was out getting John Kat finished gearing up and I hear Zero yell “not in my dam trashcan.” Then I see Jimmy hopping out [drysuit around his knees] and he is heading for the gearboxes, I hear Capt Rich yeall “not in my f*^king gearbox.” So as John is striding in the water Jimmy heads towards the port door and just as he bends over I move him 3 feet to the right as he lets go. 1 second earlier or if I missed moving him he woulda “chucked” all over John. The best part is John never knew, made who was left on board laugh for a few mins. No harm no faoul.

This artifical reef is a new wreck divers dream. Many decks, hallways and rooms to explore. A lot of open cuts to get out if you get lost [which you shouldn’t] and alot of bugs. I brought 2 small bugs back on my dive and left 2 smaller ones and missed a rather sizable one. All in a good day.

Being last I made a long dive as we were pulling to head to the Pinta as the weather was picking up. I was to pull the hook after an hour dive, but the sea was rough and tore the tie-in rope out. So I surfaced after fiddling with it. I had a total run time of 85 minutes. Once I got on the boat, I was low on air, so I grabbed a stage from Colin and jumped back in to pull real quick. Roger gave me some slack and I had it out and back on the back on the boat in 15 minutes.

All in all a fantastic day on a great boat with a supreme crew. What more can a East Coast Wreck diver ask for? Oh yeah its the John Jack, we got a great free lunch, one of Mrs Zeros Italian dishes.

Off to the Bahamas on Monday to pick up my Meg and get certified.

-Darth Vern

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