KETU BAY / CHETWODE ISLANDS
Saturday 9th February 2008
Early risers were on the road by 6.30am.....sociable events from the night before and morning
of meant our Mr Hornby was not in attendance! (Ahem most unusual for this dedicated
diver...first time for everything isn't it John!) (AAhhemm..a pity Stu & Pauline hadn't adhered to the arranged wake up call of 5.45am for John)
Unfortunately another diver had pulled out the day before which left the crew at seven with Stu, myself, Grant T, Joe, Mark Hellewell, Mark Kerr and Angus.
I would like to mention at this point of the story that it was frustrating to find that the club
boat information pack was not on board ‘Downtime'. This is housed in a clear A4 box and
contains the very important laminated check list for collecting and returning boat, diver
in/out sheets, trip cost reconciliation sheets and pen/calculator. Please ensure you return this
to the boat after a club trip.
Club boat ‘Downtime' and Angus's ‘Barlinda' made good tow time arriving at Duncan bay
launch ramp at 7:30 am. It was without a doubt a superb morning to be going out on the
water - still, calm and warm.
The Downtime team buzzed out to Ketu Bay with Stu and Joe kitting up for a scallop dive.
Pulling up alongside our boat buddies Mark H, Angus and Grant we were astounded to hear
of their intentions to dredge for Scallops! Stu in particular put paid to that notion and they
bashfully restowed the dredge.
Everyones quota was dived for and measured/counted well before midday. Young Joe was
noticeably out of gearing up practice as he very nearly got into the wet without his weight
belt on! A certain case of needing to get more dive experience ‘Under your belt' Joe!
The wind had come up somewhat as we arrived on the Eastern side of the Chetwood islands.
Initially divers went in along the coastline looking for Crays and fish to spear. Good results
on the spear fishing with some beaut Moki, Butterfish and Blue Cod coming aboard. Moving
away from the coast line both boats positioned themselves over a series of pinnacles, even
anchoring at times. These appeared to be superb country for crays with likely holes and
caves. However some one will have to tell the crays about this paradise because they
certainly haven't arrived in numbers.
Joe made another attempt at kitting up without his weightbelt....we hope to see you out
diving more regularly Joe...need to alleviate this bad habit. Pleasingly for him he came up
with a good sized cray and Mark H also collected a couple of goodies.
A large pod of Dolphins cruised past us and seemed to be enjoying the day as much as we
were.
Motoring back into the sounds presented us with a couple more dive opportunities. Stu
bringing up two keeper crays and a sizeable Moki on the spear. This was very tasty after we
had hot smoked it on our newly purchased smoker.
Launching ramp blues for the Downtime team as the trailer wheels had slipped over the end
of the concrete lanes requiring a 4WD tow out from a helpful bystander.
Back to Nelson for cleanup etc and the divy of catch.
Cheers Pauline
