The Pacific Explorer - Pacific Explorers Dive Club

Pacific Explorers Dive Club PO Box 9443,
Canoga Park, CA 91306
Web site – www.pacificexplorers.org
Contact us – [email protected]
WE MEET the second Wed of each month except Dec at a Denny’s Restaurant on Topanga
just north of Roscoe. Meeting starts at 7 PM. Show up early for socializing.
1...Speaker Deb Zummerling
2…President's Desk
3…March Beach Dive
4…March Boat Dive
5…Conservation & Regs
6…Grand Gozo
8…Chamber Day & Eve
10..Photo Corner
11..Opportunity Awards
12..International Trip
13…Board Minutes
14..General Minutes
15..Dive Schedule
16..The Fine Print
Join Deb Zumerling for a trip through the most beautiful
underwater world of the South Pacific. From relics of WWII
on land to underwater exotic scenery, Palau has it all.
Hundreds of coral atolls dot the landscape and the remnants
of relics of the past are everywhere. Polynesian culture
started here, WWII happened here on the reefs of Peleliu,
and the amazing drop offs and blue holes have always been
here. Enjoy Palau for an evening, even if you remain with
your feet firmly planted in Southern California.
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Hi Divers,
It looks like things are definitely doing well for diving lately. Minimal rain in February and
summer-like temperatures accounted for great diving and good visibility along the coast and at
the islands most of the month. Our February 13th boat dive on the Magician to the oil rigs was
a huge success. Seven members plus four friends attended. We had calm seas and forty-foot
visibility. Everyone had a great time. I want to thank everyone who did participate for coming
out and enjoying a great day! The Pacific Explorers March boat dive is Saturday the 19th on
the Peace to Santa Cruz Island with Blue Water Photo. I know of three members booked
already. Please let the club know if you plan to go. Our club beach dives typically have good
turnouts and are always great social gatherings, regardless of the dive conditions. Don’t make
excuses, get out and dive!
I am always impressed with membership diversity of the Pacific Explorers Dive Club. We
have active divers from ages 10-77 from all walks of life and careers. Teachers, students,
lawyers, engineers, PHD’s, self-employed, unemployed, retired, IT specialist, blue collar and
white collar; all are divers. The Explorers have certifications from Open Water to Instructor.
Members’ interests range from conservation, hunting, surveying, photography, scientific
research or just getting wet for pleasure. We have members that enjoy kayak diving, local
beach or boat diving, and international warm water trips. Some Explorers rarely get in the
water, but religiously attend all monthly meetings for conversation, a meal, the dive
presentations or chances to win the opportunity prizes. Whatever your interest, our common
thread is love of SCUBA DIVING.
The camaraderie that the dive club offers is the biggest benefit. The Pacific Explorer’s Dive
Club is all about creating opportunities to dive with some fantastic divers, many of which
become good friends. This is also the main reason I am so active with this club. I have gone
places, met people, and done things, which I quite likely would not have experienced without
being part of the Pacific Explorers.
Share your passion for scuba diving, encourage a friend or family member to become
certified. If you are out diving, tell non-members about our club and its benefits. I am sure they
will thank you.
Let’s dive,
Ron Brunski
“The Sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”
Jacques-Yves Cousteau
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The March beach dive is scheduled for
Saturday the 12th at 9AM. This dive spot is
commonly known as Malibu Road Gate 2.
The directions are as follows; take Las
Virgenes to PCH then left to Webb Way, at
...By Mike Bushell
bottom of the hill, make a right at Web Way
and at end make another right. The dive will
th
Date:
Saturday, March 12 , 2016 be at the second beach public access gate,
Time:
9:00 am
the address is 24432. Surf permitting this is
Skill Level:
Intermediate
an easy dive with a very short hike. This site
20 to 30 feet deep with numerous and varied
Parking:
Free
reef areas. Hope to see you there, and don’t
forget your participation entitles you a raffle ticket for the special raffle at our next meeting.
Malibu Road 2nd gate is good for photography. Sand castle worms have built huge
structures up to 6 feet tall throughout the shallows area from 10-15 feet deep and when the
conditions are calm this site has good diving in very shallow water. The sand castle worms
have created habitat for many other animals. There are also a few pinnacles among the
patchy reefs with a sparse kelp canopy between 20 and 30 feet deep. Spring is here and
many animals breed in this season so keep your eyes open for young animals to
photograph. The elusive nudibranch Cuthona lagunae has been found here.
Hunting is fair to good at this site. Lobster season will have ended, but the patchy reefs
have a good population of fish, especially at
the taller pinnacles. Schools of opaleye can
be found along with a few kelp bass and
sheepshead. This reef runs parallel to shore
farther than a diver can swim while
conserving air with a full steel tank, so there
may be a few interesting spots at Malibu
Road that few divers ever see.
Let the club know if you plan to go!
[email protected]
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Date:
Cost:
Boat:
Skill:
Nitrox:
Boarding:
To Book:
Saturday, March 19th, 2016
$145.00 includes, 4 dives, food & air and bunk
Peace, 1691 Spinnaker Dr., G Dock, Ventura CA 93001
Intermediate
EAN available for extra charge
Board after 8:00 pm Friday night, depart at 6:00 am Saturday
Bluewater Photo Website, or call 310-633-5052
Santa Cruz island has sites that are extremely rich in fish, nudibranch and macro life, such
as "Flame Reef". No shortage of photo subjects here! The plan is to do two dives at Santa
Cruz, and maybe try "Drop-Off", another excellent macro site. At Anacapa, we'll try to get
shots of Sea Lion pups or Harbor seals if conditions allow diving at the rookery on the back
side. Otherwise, we'll aim for Rat Rock, Coral Reef or Landing cove, all great sites for macro &
wide-angle. March is usually a particularly "nudi-ful" time in the northern channel islands.
This is a Bluewater Photo charter, which is
geared towards the underwater photographer. The
goal is to dive the best sites for photography,
weather dependent. Bluewater assures that there
are NO students on board, NO hunting, and NO
oversold boats. The shop has multiple
professionals on board who can answer questions
about gear and camera settings to help you get the
most out of your experience. You can even demo
gear during the trip if you contact the store ahead
of time.
The Peace offers a refined diving experience
shaped by generations. The crew is experienced
and friendly. The Peace cooks two hot meals and
a desert. Snacks are available too. The boat is
spacious with a large galley, sun deck, and hot tub
for relaxing in-between or after dives. Individual
wash tubs are available for camera gear.
Sign up today to explore the Northern Channel
Islands with Bluewater on the Peace. Several
members are booked already!
Let the club know if you plan to go!
[email protected]
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...By Mark Navas
Hook and Line Fishing for Groundfish from a
Boat Opens March 1st
The boat-based hook and line fishery for groundfish will open on March 1st and will remain
open until closure on December 31st, unless a special closures for a species is implemented.
The federal groundfish complex includes some fish that are associated with the bottom of the
ocean such as rockfish, cabezon and lingcod. California manages a few other species as
groundfish, such as Sheepshead. The maximum depth limit for hook and line fishing of
groundfish in Southern California is 360 feet, and in Mendocino the depth limit is 120 feet. The
fishery for groundfish remains open year-round for shore-based hook and line fishing and for
divers. You can check seasonal closures on a species-by-species basis for many common
SoCal fish through the following link.
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Fishing-Map/southern#groundfish
Spiny Lobster Season Closure on Wednesday, March 16
The spiny lobster season will close on Wednesday, March 16th. Fishermen are required to
report their seasonal catch by mailing their report cards to CDFW or by submitting catch
information through the CDFW website. Information is due to CDFW by April 30. A $20 dollar
penalty fee will be charged when renewing a lobster card the following year if catch from the
previous year was not reported. Catch data can be submitted online through the following link.
https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales/CustomerSearch/Begin
California Spiny Lobster FMP
The DFW is continuing its Fishery Management Plan (FMP) with more Spiny Lobster
regulations. There’s talk on the diver chat boards that these new regulations for 2017-2018 will
include a requirement of clipping a section of the tail fin off for every Lobster retained. This
measure is to help stop lobsters from being illegally sold to restaurants by fisherman without a
commercial license, aka poachers. I would like to see the actual numbers of illegal lobsters
sold to restaurants to support the burden of this over regulation to our dive community. Time
will tell if new regulations will be implemented. Written comments regarding the new FMP can
be submitted via email to Travis Buck at [email protected]. The entire 237 page
report can be viewed through the following link.
https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=91448&inline
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Grand
Gozo
By…Michael Murrie
We entered the water in a shallow protected cove
half surrounded by cliffs soaring more than one
hundred feet. A cave opened through the cliffs to
the ocean. We descended into a narrow passage
opening to shear walls several yards apart to a
bottom 70 feet below.
The occasional boat on the surface made its way
through the cavern passage. It opened to walls
100 feet on either side covered with rose and
yellow colored coral. Around the corner the wall
seemed to have a face, 20 feet tall, carved in it.
Later for the second dive we entered a nearby
blue pool next to dramatic arches both above and
below water.
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In 2014-2015 my work took me to Switzerland for two
semesters, and I was looking for good sites in the
Mediterranean to visit and perhaps stay. Malta fit the bill.
My wife and I visited Gozo in December and fell in love
with it. As a former British colony, English was widely
spoken. Cost of living was attractive, and diving was
great. We returned in May for eight weeks, rented an
apartment, worked, and toured. Malta is rich in history
from ancient Neolithic temples to the valiant survival of
bombing during World War II.
Gozo is only 26 square miles but has 50 dive sites
mostly on shore. Sea temperatures range from 60
degrees in winter to well into the 70s in late summer.
With weather like California, few current issues, many
protected areas, and minimal Mediterranean tides,
conditions are usually good somewhere in the area.
Other sites feature blue caves, sandy bottoms, and a variety of marine life. Life is not
as abundant as in the Pacific, but it is excellent compared to most of the Mediterranean.
Waters are blue with visibility at 60-80 feet or more.
Althouth there is a significant tourist presence on Gozo, the area is mostly rural with small
villages, each dominated by a church in a square. Roads are bad, but people are welcoming.
Dive shops, often operated by expats, are abundant. The shop I used, operated by a Swiss
couple, offered tech dives and training in cave diving as well as the usual guided dives.
Most of the Gozo dives featured interesting topography, but wreck dives, including some
from the WW II bombings, are available, especially on the main island of Malta.
For more information, see http://www.visitmalta.com/en/diving
Despite toursism, Gozo is mostly rural with small villages, each dominated by a
stone church in a square in the center of town.
Mgarr Harbor, Gozo, Malta
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By…Ken Kurtis
A study has shown that 69% of diving
accidents are caused by diver error. Can
you imagine inadvertently doing something
wrong, getting bent or embolized, and
hearing "Sorry, there's no chamber in the
area so there’s nothing we can do for you."
Fortunately, that's NOT the case in SoCal
because, since 1974, we can rely on the
USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber to be
there for us.
Now in 2016, we are celebrating our
Chamber's 42nd year of unbending service
to the Southern California diving
community. While our Chamber still gets
about 50% of its funding from the County,
Chamber Day & Eve have become the
major source of funds to keep our Chamber
available to us 24/7/366. And that's why we
hope you'll participate in Chamber Day &
Eve 2016 on Wednesday, May 4.
The first Chamber Day attracted about 200 divers and netted about $15,000 for our
Chamber. Over the years the event has grown to over 1,000 participants by adding
Chamber Eve, the Flying Dutchman, and the Chamber Challenge. And last year we
raised just over $121,000 for our Chamber. We are justifiably considered the largest
single-day scuba charity event in the United States and perhaps even the world.
It’s important to know that all monies raised go to the Chamber. No administrative fees
are deducted from the proceeds, many of the local SoCal boats donate their time and
services, the manufacturers donate gear for raffle prizes, the Aquarium of the Pacific
donates their facility for Chamber Eve, hundreds of volunteers donate their time, and you
(hopefully) donate your money.
The main event is Chamber Day, which includes two dives at Catalina, plus a walking
tour of the Chamber facilities at the Isthmus. A ticket on one of the participating boats for
Chamber Day is $110 (plus $30 for food and airfills for the boat). You get the diving, the
tour, a T-shirt, and 5 daytime raffle tickets.
If you can’t take the day off but would still like to participate, we have the Flying
Dutchman—a mythical boat, yes, but a big part of Chamber Day and the perfect option
for those who can’t attend in person. “Diving” the Dutchman gets you 5 daytime raffle
tickets and a special limited-edition T-shirt available only to folks who sign up for the
Dutchman. And we're holding the Dutchman price at $95.
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There is also the Chamber Challenge,
which “challenges” our community to raise
extra funds for our Chamber through direct
donations (mostly $100 pledges, but also
$500 and $1,000, and even $5,000 and
$10,000). You donate, and then—we
hope—you challenge your friends to match
your generosity.
Raffle tickets, anyone? Daytime raffle
tickets are the way to go—because you
don’t need to be present to win. Tickets are
$1 each, with discounts when you buy
more. Plus this year when you dive our
participating boats in April, you’ll get
additional FREE raffle tickets.
Chamber Evening, co-sponsored by the
Aquarium of the Pacific, wraps things up.
You'll have full access to the Aquarium, a
sit-down dinner in the Great Hall (under the
life-sized model of a blue whale), hear a
few speeches—we try to keep them
short—maybe win a raffle prize, and finally,
cheer during the presentation of the
Chamber Day check to Karl Huggins,
Director of the Chamber. As with Chamber
Day, Chamber Evening tickets are $110
each.
For more information about these can’tmiss events, visit our web site at
www.chamberday.org. You can sign up
there using our secure server, or you can
Chamber Day HQ at 310-652-4990. Mark
your calendar for Wednesday, May 4 and
Chamber Day & Eve 2016.
Ken Kurtis
Chairman, Chamber Day/Eve 2016
&
Karl Huggins
Director, USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber
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By…Michael Brown
It’s been interesting to me as a newer
SoCal diver - when I show a picture at the
dive shop or to fellow divers, and they have
never seen “that" before. Granted when I am
taking pictures, most creatures are more or
less new to me - but I can’t help feeling like
Jacques Cousteau sometimes - wondering if
anyone else has seen “this" before.
This one has been interesting enough to
note. The Wart-neck Piddock (Chaceia
ovoidea) (Thanks Craig!)- is basically a clam
that buries itself and sends up siphons for
food. So you’re diving, come upon this
interesting tube but as you get closer the
tube retracts. This got me curious.
A piddock is a marine bivalve mollusks of
the family Pholadidae (Adesmoidea).
Worldwide in distribution, they are especially
adapted for boring into rock, shells, peat,
hard clay, or mud. Most species occur in the
intertidal zone, a few in deeper water.
One end of each of the two valves is armed
with rows of serrated cutting edges for
boring. Some species drill to a depth only
slightly more than the length of the shell.
Others, with extensible siphons, may bore to
depths several times the length of the shell.
The siphons of many deep borers are protected by tough plates. Like most bivalves, piddocks
feed on minute organisms in the water, especially phytoplankton.
From Wikipedia "...one side of the piddock's shells has a set of ridges or "teeth", which they
use to grind away at clay or soft rock and create tubular burrows. The shape of these burrows
is due to the rotating motion of the piddock as it grinds the rock to make its home. The piddock
stays in the burrow it digs for the entirety of its eight-year lifespan, with only its siphon exposed
to take in water that it filters for food.”
And now you know…
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Seahorse located in SoCal at “The Shrine.” Photo by Craig Hoover
By…Michael Brown
We would very much like to thank our continuing sponsor Sports Chalet. We also would like to
welcome and send our appreciation to ScubaPro this month for donating a t-shirt and cap to
our club. We couldn’t do this without you folks - so thank you for your support. Members - if
you have some new unused equipment, why not donate it to the club?
January booty





Utility/regulator bag - donated by Mike and Lynn Bushnell
Dive mask with purge valve - donated by Sports Chalet
T-shirt and cap - donated by ScubaPro
Moldable regulator mouthpiece - donated by Sports Chalet
Gather bag - donated by Sports Chalet
February booty - come and see…
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By…Lynn Bushell
Meeting called to order 7:00 pm at the Silver Panda Restaurant in Chattsworth, CA.
Ron Brunski, President: The following items were discussed: Business cards to be passed
out, a possible table at the Scuba Show, calendar of events for the web site, March 12th is
dive day at the Long Beach aquarium, this years picnic Sept. 10 or 11 and place to be
determined later.
David Carlson, Vice President: Speakers for February meeting will be Los Angeles County
Coroner, with overview of dive fatalities. Future speakers were mentioned, and need for ideas
Kevin Sullivan, Boat Dive Coordinator: In the absences of Kevin, Ron Brunski reported the
following: Febuary boat dive 2/13/17 to the oil rigs on the Magician, and March boat dive
3/12/17 to Anacapa and Santa Cruz with Bluewater Photo.
Mike Bushell, Beach Dive Coordinator: February dive on 2/20/17 to Gogorian City, Malibu
Road.
Ron Brunski, Boat Dive Coordinator:
Craig Hoover, Newsletter: Newsletter OK, need articles and pictures.
Geoff Dillberg, Webmaster: Just getting started on the web site.
Michael Brown, Raffle Coordinator: Sending letters to potential sponsors for club and raffle.
Have some responses and waiting for others.
Nancy Anwar, Membership: Discussed list of late and passed due members and
notifications for same.
Lynn Bushell, Treasurer: Gave balance of club accounts. Also discussed was how long to
keep tax returns and was decided 7 years was best.
Michael Murrie, Secretary: Absent
Mark Navas, Marine Conservation Officer: Absent
SCHEDULE FOR 2017 BOARD MEETINGS: 2/24 - Craig Hoover, 3/30 - Ron Brunski, 4/27 Mike Bushell, 5/25 - Mike Brown, 6/29 - Dave Carlson, 7/27 - Nancy Anwar, 8/31 - Mike Murrie,
9/28 - Geoff Dillberg, 10/26 - Lynn Bushell, 11/30 - Kevin Sullivan
Meeting adjourned: 8:17pm
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By…Michael Murrie
Meeting called to order at 7:05 PM at Denny’s Restaurant, West Hills
Ron Brunski, President: Noted a Sports Chalet promotion, the annual Catalina cleanup,
March 12 Long Beach Aquarium Diver’s Day, and May 4 Chamber Day where Explorers plan
to have a table.
David Carlson, Vice President: Introduced speaker John Kades.
Kevin Sullivan, Boat Dive Coordinator: No club members went on the January Farnsworth
dive, but several plan to go to the February 13 dive to the oil rigs. March 12 boat dive is to the
back side of Santa Cruz with Bluewater Photo on the Peace. Kevin says the Club plans to
sponsor table at Chamber Day to benefit Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber.
Mike Bushell, Beach Dive Coordinator: Five divers did the Escondido Beach dive January
16 under good conditions. February 20 dive will be at end of Malibu Road at the “Gorgonian
City” site. Mike also that divers can still sign up for the club’s international trip to Cozumel is
June 18-25.
Lynn Bushell, Treasurer: Reported funds in positive balance.
Nancy Anwar, Membership: Casper visited, is learning to dive.
Craig Hoover, Newsletter: The February issue is available. Always seeking articles.
Geoff Dillberg, Webmaster: Reported that the club Web site is up to date.
Paul Kades, Speaker: Deputy coroner Los Angeles County, reviewed details of three recent
dive deaths after giving an overview of dive related deaths, especially since 1994. The county
98 dive related deaths since then averaging 4-5 per year. [email protected]
Mike Brown, Raffle Coordinator: Reminded us that those who submit a newsletter article
and attend a dive event get a red raffle ticket for a drawing the next club meeting.
Mask
Dave Leffert
Regulator Bag
Michael Murrie
Lobster Bag
Ron Brunski
Moldable Mouthpiece
Mike Bushell
Scuba Pro Cap
Craig Hoover
Scuba Pro Shirt
Frank Miller
Larry the Lobster
Dave Carlson
Meeting adjourned at ~8:30 PM
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Schedule
Month
March
March
March
Date
9th
12th
19th
Event
General Meeting
Beach Dive
Boat Dive
Location
Denny’s
Malibu Road
Santa Cruz Island
Transportation
Car
Car
Peace
Contact
1
3
Cost
free
free
$145
Dive Organizer Contact Information
Contact
1
2
3
4
5
Name
Club Beach Dive
Ken Kollwitz
Bluewater Photo
Eco Dive
Sport Chalet
Phone Number
805-469-7288
310-633-5052
310-398-5759
800-348-3794
Website
[email protected]
http://channelislandsdiveadventures.com
http://www.bluewaterphotostore.com
http://www.ecodivecenter.com
http://www.sportchalet.com
Dive Boat Contact Information
Boat
Asante
Bottom Scratcher
Cee Ray
Explorer
Great Escape
Horizon
Lois Ann
Magician
Pacific Star
Peace
Raptor
Spectre
Sundiver
Sunfish
Truth
Location
San Pedro
Long Beach
Long Beach
Ventura
San Pedro
San Diego
San Diego
San Pedro
Redondo
Ventura
Ventura
Ventura
Long Beach
Channel Islands Harbor
Santa Barbara
Phone
310-567-2355
714-963-4378
562-505-3814
805-890-1142
310-486-0761
619-881-7561
619-992-6895
949-500-4755
626-716-1796
805-650-3483
805-650-7700
866-225-3483
800-555-9446
805-204-0977
805-962-1127
URL
http://www.asantecharters.com
http://bottomscratcher.com
http://www.ceeraydiveboat.com
http://www.explorerdiveboat.com
http://diveboat.com
http://horizoncharters.com
http://www.loisann.com
http://magicianscuba.com
http://www.pacificstardiving.com
http://peaceboat.com
http://www.raptordive.com
http://calboatdiving.com
http://sundiver.net
http://www.socaldive.com
http://truthaquatics.com
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Dates & locations are subject to change without written notice. All active members get a 10%
discount on Sport Chalet organized boat dives and Sport Chalet dive gear. Boat dives are on a
first come first serve basis. Your money will hold your spot on the boat. Air fills and food are
generally not included in the dive boat pricing unless specified. For boat dive reservations call
Annette Roche at Sport Chalet @ (800) 348-3794. (Note: Some activities may not be through
Sport Chalet Charters). All participants in beach diving activities will be required to complete a
club release of liability/assumption of risk form.
PRESIDENT----------------------------------------RON [email protected]
VICE PRESIDENT--------------------------------DAVID [email protected]
TREASURER---------------------------------------LYNN BUSHELL--------------- [email protected]
SECRETARY---------------------------------------MICHAEL [email protected]
MEMBERSHIP-------------------------------------NANCY [email protected]
WEBMASTER--------------------------------------GEOFF [email protected]
BOAT DIVE COORDINATOR------------------KEVIN SULLIVAN-------------- [email protected]
BEACH DIVE COORDINATOR----------------MIKE [email protected]
OPPORTUNITY COORDINATOR------------MICHAEL [email protected]
NEWSLETTER-------------------------------------CRAIG [email protected]
MARINE CONSERVATION OFFICER-------MARK [email protected]
Web Site: www.pacificexplorers.org
Board: [email protected]
Pacific Explorers Dive Club, PO Box 9443, Canoga Park, CA 91309
If you have pictures you would like to see published in the newsletter, please send them to
Craig Hoover at [email protected].
We can also post them on the club web site, so if you would like to post them there, send
them to Geoff Dillberg at [email protected].
Monthly meetings with entertainment and opportunity drawings, scheduled beach and boat
dives each month, group international travel, 10% discount on non-sale dive gear, con-ed
classes, dive trips, rentals, and gear repairs at Sport Chalet, and 10 free air fills. Quarterly
drawings are January, April, July, and October.
Membership Fees: New-Single-$25 Family-$35 Renewal-Single-$20 Family-$30
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