Dive no. 32

Stressing Out

This would have been our second dive to the Yongala, but I aborted the 0600 dive due to stress. The Yongala is a challenging dive in open water with strong current, necessitating an approach line from the boat to the descent line. The approach line was busy, the diver in front of me finned my face and I let go of the line despite having been specifically warned not to. I had to fight the current to get back to the line. This added to the fact that it would be my deepest dive ever up to that point made me near panic, which I communicated to Lucy, whom immediately aborted the dive with me. We returned to the boat. I was very pissed off but ultimately thankful - I could have got into a lot of trouble down there. I have a great buddy.

Diving The Yongala

Having had some coffee, relaxation and mental preparation, the second dive went well. It was as challenging as we were warned - a strong current and a lot of diver traffic.

Traversing the approach line, far more confidently this time, I looked down into the dark depths. Not quite all dark - there were very faint streaks of light, which I later found out were Giant Trevally hanging out near the wreck. Giant indeed - they were 10 metres directly below me at least.

The Yongala is an amazing dive site. Not just an intact 110m wreck to explore, but "teeming with life" takes on a whole new meaning. Everything is abundant and super-sized. The resident turtle must have been 2m long. The schools of fish were massive and of so many kinds I couldn't count.