Stein Castillo
- Stein Castillo's trip Italy Aug 2016
2016-08-13 - (Ita) Secca Gonzatti, Parco Naturale Regionale di Portofino , Italy
17.7m - 49 min - Dived with Bruno Borelli from Portofino Divers
15 min boat ride (on a very nice dive boat) to pick-up additional divers at a very secluded bay accessible only by boat. After a short ride to the dive site giant step into the water and descent with a line. I was paired with the DM (Bruno) who did a very good job to manage the 3 diver group. Rocky bottom (result of an ancient river bed) with very abundant life: Large schools of small fish, barracuda, saw a morena and a very big grouper lying on the bottom of the sea. Safety stop was completed while exploring. Got the impression that my 2nd stage was leaking little water. Will have to get it checked.
2016-08-13 - Portofino, La Chiesa Di San Giorgio, Portofino Promontorio, Italy
23.8m - 43 min - Dived with Bruno Borelli from Portofino Divers
Short boat ride to the second dive spot. Giant step into the water. Completed this dive on EAN32 and the tank was packed with 3800 PSI! Apparently regular practice to allow for extended dive time. Max PO2 during the dive was 1.1 well within the 1.4 limit. The water was colder during this dive and it was easy to actually see the cold water pockets. Current was somewhat strong and DM advise to keep a close eye on gas supply to ensure enough would be available for the trip back (against the current). Also, rocky bottom with abundant life, large schools of barracuda and saw some nudibranch up close for the first time, also a couple of big groupers. Came out with plenty of gas in the tank.
2016-08-14 - Portofino Altare, Portofino Promontorio, Italy
29.9m - 46 min - Dived with Bruno Borelli from Portofino Divers
Boat ride to secluded bay to pick up additional divers. Reef dive with rocky bottom. at 90 Ft we could see some red coral that is growing up in that area. I learned that it grows 1 mm/year so it was small, but over 100yrs old. Also, saw grouper, barracudas and large schools of smaller fish. Under 50ft still got little water leaked into the regulator (time for maintenance)
2016-08-14 - Portofino Punta Faro, Portofino Promontorio, Italy
25m - 48 min - Dived with Bruno Borelli from Portofino Divers
Dive sport right next to the previous one (1 min boat ride). Dived on nitrox ean33. Max PO2 was 1.1 Saw big groupers, many barracudas and one big octopus. lost of jellyfish between the surface and 20 ft. Enjoyed the relaxed, slow pace Bruno set during the dive. Safety stop was part of the exploration. The diving group on the boat was animated and friendly. At the bottom I was somewhat cold.
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