FH-7 FAD Deployment plus Hoos & AP on October 29, 2014© Photos Posted by Mark Miller © Hi-Res Source
This was a trip to deploy FAD2, the second FAD constructed of 4" Sewer Pipe. Onboard was two of my boys, Paul (19), Luke (17), and their friend Preston Savage (22 but turning 23 the next day Oct 30). On the way out, we stopped by FAD1 in FH-13 to get some progress video. It is doing very well and attracting a healthy population of bait fish. We also stopped on a shrimp boat where I dropped down and got some quick video of some dolphins and cobia there. FAD2 was deployed in FH-7 on the Jumbo Barge near Platform VK166. A 1" rope that was salvaged off the Capt Le in FH-13 was used to secure it to the Bow Eye on the Barge. It was a little more challenging than expected to get the job done quickly and avoid heavy decompression times. My first dive pushed me to a 20 minute deco so we left and went fishing for Wahoo to get some surface interval. We then returned to add the upper buoy FADs and get some final pictures. Unfortunately, the reef was covered over by the silt layer when we returned and we also discovered a hairline air leak in the sewer pipe. Some repairs may be required on a return visit. The height of the FAD was between 76 and 66 feet with the rope FADs reaching 45 feet. Fishing about 10 miles south we caught a 60 pound wahoo and Paul shot his first wahoo freediving which probably went about 50 pounds (we did not weigh). On our return, we dove Platform VK166 where Luke shot a nice 21 pound African Pompano. It was a successful project that encompassed 163 miles, 13 hours and 93 gallons of fuel.
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