Steve T organised a return to Shiprock after a fantastic wall dive at this site last year. Steve W joined him along with Hartley and Mark, who were freed up after the SSAC motorbike sub-club ride was postponed to the following weekend on account of fictitious rain.
After loitering around the cars waiting for slack, the divers set off down the many steps to Shiprock. However, before disappearing below the surface, disaster struck with a broken fin strap! Due to the long climb back to the cars and excessive faff, the affected diver called it a day and set off for home.
The others, however, were in for a treat of poor visibility and foggy masks. The three descended down the wall to sixteen metres, followed it for a ways, and returned mid-way up the wall. The wall was covered in interesting coral and frequented by schools of small fish. Having all recently had their regulators serviced, the divers practised managing a free-flow at their safety stop.
Post-dive eggs benedict and coffee was taken in at Vitalo, where the divers mourned their solo finned comrade, and planned future dives.
All up, not a bad day in the water.
