Grand Cayman
October, 1998
OR...How to survive a category 5 hurricane......
Well, we did it. The new PADI specialty Hurricane Diving! Saturday, October 24th, 27 of us departed from Lancaster for Grand Cayman. Didn't know that we would be picking up an additional passenger named Mitch.
We arrived approx 1:00 PM and were in the water diving by 3:00 PM. All was well, off to a good start. Sunday, we were advised not to dive. The government would be meeting at 6:00 PM to decide if we would be evacuated to Miami. But, if we dive early enough doing a shallow beach dive we can still be out and get the minimum surface interval to be ready to fly if necessary. So, in the water we went as the plywood was being nailed over all the windows of the resort. The dive turned out to be a good one inspite of the weather. And what next, a Hurricane Party! Let the fun begin. We can't dive so we might as well party. It was WILD!! And the moon even came out. Or was that about a dozen moons over the seawall trying to get the attention of the Naval ship patrolling the beach. Someone even tried to signal morse code with their dive light indicating the time of the next mooning. But then the moons moved to the bar area. Couldn't agree on just how many moons were out. And then there was the official paste the dive sticker on the bar. And just who was wearing their pirate eye patches as a bra. No, it was not the instructor! Later, the news came in. No evacuation tonight, maybe tomorrow.
Monday, lots of wind, rain and large waves breaking over the seawall. No diving today. Numerous divers hit the rental car company. Let's go for a tour. Can't see the turtles under water, go to the Turtle Farm. But, the hot spot was still the bar, watching the TV which was constantly tuned in to the Weather Channel. Monday evening again the news was spread, no evacuation, BUT Mitch is turning towards Roatan.
Tuesday, the waves were still breaking over the seawall. But the wind was starting to diminish. Lots of rain off and on. Well, lets go shopping! And end up the day with a happy hour for the group.
Wednesday, and the sea has calmed to large swells. The entrance area is still like a toilet bowl. But by afternoon we decided to go for it. With lots of surface support, we helped people in the water. Jump now, No Wait, Now. Swim fast. Dive. Dive. Dive. Getting out, we had two people manned at the ladder. One to throw in a ring buoy with a long line the other to assist taking fins and assist with the exit. Catch the buoy, take off your fins, and give the ready signal to be towed in between the swells. Hand up your fins and climb out before the wave hits, or washes you out. But we all did it! What a dive to log. The Seaview dive shop said absolutely no Night diving. So, back to the bar!
Thursday, much calmer day. But they are still not able to get the boats out of the North Sound and around the point. So, lets do a Wall dive from the shore. Then the Seaview dive shop loaded up our gear into their van and took us up to Eden Rock to dive Devil's Grotto from shore. The water temperature is warmer than the rain, hurry up and get in the water. Then back to Seaview for another shallow shore dive, and a night dive. We are all feeling better now that our nitrogen level has increased.
Friday, the boats finally make it around. So we get one morning on the boat for a two tank dive. A wall dive at Big Tunnels and Orange Canyon followed by a shallow dive on the wreck of the Oro Verde. The Stingray City trip had to be cancelled as there was still a lot of swells on the North side making for poor visability in the sound. But, we have time for another shore dive, so let's do it. We all gathered at the end of the day for a quick happy hour and presentation of awards to the newly certified divers. Then on to the Almond Tree for a wonderful dinner with the entire group. A wild and crazy Halloween party was going on at the Seaview Bar upon our return. The costumes we brought along just didn't measure up. So, necesity being the mother of invention, one of us decided to make their own costume and go to the party as ....(you had to see it to believe it).....a shower!
Saturday, it's the day of departure and of course the sun finally comes out. We lounged around the poolside until 1:00 PM trying to catch a few rays. But the sun didn't stay out for long. As we arrive at the airport, the skys cut loose again, and our flight is slightly delayed. But we finally arrive back in Lancaster safely. Needless to say, Mitch is not invited on any more trips.
This was such a bizarre week. They even cancelled Pirate's Week due to Mitch. All in all it was a good week. And we have pictures to prove it. I even got 12 dives logged despite Mitch. But what made the week so great was the wonderful and easy going attitude of all who went on the trip. What could have been a Halloween nightmare turned out very well. If I ever got caught in a bad situation like this again, I would hope it would be with the same group of people.
It takes more than a Category 5 hurricane to keep this group from having a GREAT time!!!!