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A trip to the James Eagan Layne |
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Written by Adrian Kelland
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After a not surprising attrition to the list of divers for today, by just after 10am we were heading out to the James Eagan Layne. Over almost flat water but in a cold breeze. Still, one way to wake up. 
Debbie had decided not to dive and boat handle while we were diving. So
I would go in first with Chris, then Anne with Clint. In his semi-dry!
Mad fool. 
Chris and I dropped down the line to the bow, then down and along the
starboard side. It seem that every time I dive the JEL, a bit more has
fallen off. This dive was no different, lot more big bits of metal on
the sea bed. Chris found a large bit of copper tube, but we had no way
of tying his lifting bag to it. Chris also found a few scallops which I
added to, my tea tonight. We played with a couple of edible crabs,
Chris carrying one for a while before releasing into a tube with a
resident conger. I think the conger was not impressed.
We now headed back through the wreck. Almost all of the upper deck has
now collapsed and the engine block is now very exposed. We continued
through the ship, finishing back at the bow and a short ascent. A
pleasant 35 minute dive, with vis of between 5 and 8m. My new dry
gloves stayed dry, which was a welcome bonus. 
Anne and Clint surface about 10 minutes later and we headed back for shore. Thanks to everyone who came out to play.
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