The Olympic
Location: San Pedro, California
Wreck/Site: The Olympic
Divers: Angie Biggs, Sean Canullas, Katie McWilliams, Shane McWilliams, Daniel Pio, Rene Tetter
Dive 1
Teams:
Net Handling Team: Katie McWilliams, Shane McWilliams, Rene Tetter
Documentation/Observation: Angie Biggs, Sean Canullas, Daniel Pio
Mission Impact: 50 square feet of net and 1 large piece of plastic recovered
The GDUSA recreational team set out for a day of mentorship and net removal aboard the Giant Stride. Headed for the Olympic, the team was gifted ideal surface conditions. The sun was shining, there was no wind or swell. The team was able to comfortably prepare for their dives while on the crossing to the dive site. The team opted to complete 2 dives. On the first dive, the objective was to locate the net described by previous team member observations. After locating the net, the team planned to set lift bags and, if bottom time and breathing gas allowed, start cutting the net. The team was extremely efficient with their time, met all of their objects and were able to launch their first lift bag at the end of dive 1. The team returned to the boat, completed a debrief, had some 12tides kelp snacks, and planned dive 2. While the teams were planning dive 2, we observed some debris floating on the surface. Rene was able to recover a large piece of plastic that appeared to be part of a broken plastic bin.
Dive 2
Teams:
Inflation/Documentation: Shane McWilliams, Daniel Pio
Net Handling Team 1: Angie Biggs, Katie McWilliams
Net Handling Team 2: Sean Canullas, Rene Tetter
For dive 2, the teams broke into 3 teams of 2. The net handling teams worked on 2 sections of net. Both net handling teams were able to remove their sections of net and attach the lift bags. Shane shot both lift bags to the surface. Dive 2 went extremely well! For the team members that were starting their mentorship process, they had the opportunity to get hands on experience and the team worked cohesively to support each other. The teams got back onto the boat and worked with Captain Jim to pick up the lift bags and return to port. The net collected from this mission was kept for displays during our outreach events.