Anyone ever been out to the Farallons?

[tworotorturbo]

I needed to break in the new motor so I went out yesterday and got close the islands. I only brought 18 gallons of fuel so we had to turn back a few miles short. Amazing sight though, and we got to see a few huge whales. The ride out was rough from the Golden Gate to a few miles out then it was very calm.

New fuel tank is here this week and then back out we go. Better pics next time!

[Peter_C]

We plan to head out there after the Great Whites leave the area and go diving.

If you want another crew member the next time you go out let me know. I won't be taking my boat as it is too small. My friend has a nice C-Dory we use for the longer dive trips.

[ncp]

Looks like a great conditions for out there!

[Squid Boat]

Originally Posted by Peter_C

We plan to head out there after the Great Whites leave the area and go diving.

If you want another crew member the next time you go out let me know. I won't be taking my boat as it is too small. My friend has a nice C-Dory we use for the longer dive trips.

When does the taxman leave mate?

Cheers

[willk]

Interesting. 25 miles into the Pacific - you want to get that right in a small boat. Also interesting islands - crane landing, water traps, solar array, fancy dwellings - what's the lowdown?

[Squid Boat]

Originally Posted by willk

Interesting. 25 miles into the Pacific - you want to get that right in a small boat. Also interesting islands - crane landing, water traps, solar array, fancy dwellings - what's the lowdown?

I do 62 offshore in me black boat,

Cheers

[willk]

Originally Posted by Squid Boat

I do 62 offshore in me black boat,

Cheers

...and I bet you try to "get it right"?

[Squid Boat]

Originally Posted by willk

...and I bet you try to "get it right"?

Every time, but I've paid the price...Flickin cold, wild and very wet...I've got giant scuppers to let out da green water. and a blow up doll sitting atop the radar arch in case I go tits up.

Cheers

[spartacus]

Wasn't even aware of the islands until I started reading. Absolutely fascinating. Now about these great whites...

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by Squid Boat

When does the taxman leave mate?

Cheers

Oye you mean the Landlord? They are there right now at their thickest. In the spring they depart.

This movie called the Devil's Teeth is about a retired urchin diver. Well done video in my book. The name of the movie is for the islands nick name not the sharks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfyVbqS7W-M

The interesting part of the islands which is a National Sanctuary (Humans other than scientists are not allowed to touch the islands), is that in the past we humans trashed the place literally. A ship with hundreds of thousands of gallons of bunker oil sank outside the Golden Gate and still releases oil sometimes. They also dumped radio active material and all kinds of waste from the military and shipyards in barrels that have now deteriorated to almost nothing leaving the contaminants un-contained. During the gold rush the bird eggs were harvested for food to the point there were no future generations of birds. Of course the otters and seals were also obliterated. Whales...well there were expert hunters present.

Today it has all changed and the islands are now teaming with life, and have made a remarkable recovery to pretty close to pre-human intervention. With everything around the islands being part of the marine sanctuary, everything should continue to thrive for years to come.

[Harrys Game]

Really good video, thanks for posting. Regards Jim

[willk]

Originally Posted by Harrys Game

Really good video, thanks for posting. Regards Jim

x2

[tworotorturbo]

Here is a good short video about the islands. I was born and raised in this area but never knew about them until last year. Blame my teachers?

The Farallon Islands – "California's Galapagos" | QUEST

Peter_C, definitely, I'm new to boats and the water so more experienced company is always welcome. And if you ever feel the urge for bigger boat to cruise around in at times, you can use this Zodiac anytime. Just 2 conditions: 1, make sure you bring it back with the same amount of gas, and 2, post lots of pics for us.

I will deploy our drone video copter while en route next time for some swell jumping action and whale shots. I will keep it away from the islands though...I dont want to bother the poor birds and make it look like a scene from The Birds.

[ncp]

The book is good too!

http://www.susancasey.com/the-devils-teeth/

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by willk

Interesting. 25 miles into the Pacific - you want to get that right in a small boat. Also interesting islands - crane landing, water traps, solar array, fancy dwellings - what's the lowdown?

No non-scientific people allowed to land, so all that stuff is moot. Getting a permit for scientific research is reportedly pretty difficult as well.

Diving out there is supposed to be pristine. I've never been, but have heard reports from when the commercial dive boats used to make the occasional trip.


Side note to NCP: the guy spotlighted in the book (Peter something-or-other?) was kind of an ass - he was the primary opposition to cage diving off the Farallons. He backed off a bit when it came to light that he was taping and selling footage to the BBC; something that is expressly forbidden in his contract with the Sanctuary. Guy made a ton of money, while using his status as chief scientist to keep everyone else out. In truth, the woman who wrote it sounded kind of wacko as well.

jky

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by tworotorturbo

I was born and raised in this area but never knew about them until last year. Blame my teachers?

I grew up in San Rafael before moving to Santa Rosa, and don't ever remember teachers mentioning the islands either. On the other hand I knew of them since we saw them from the headlands, and also because we would often go salmon fishing and sailing out West.

Choose your days wisely for visiting the Farallon's. I remember this recent accident since we used to sail a 10m Pearson out of Marina Green through most of my teenage years, and made the same trip on a pretty ugly day once. Fortunately the ride home is downhill with the wind at your stern.
Farallones accident blamed on crew - SFGate

[ncp]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

In truth, the woman who wrote it sounded kind of wacko.

Completely agree! But still a good read as I knew very little about the islands before that book prompted some further research.

[Peter_C]

This is one of the other video's I was trying to find. I really like this one too.

[kerlstone]

Fantastic vid, thanks for sharing, I couldnt agree more with the sentiment.

Gerry

[tworotorturbo]

That was a great video! Makes me want to get into diving.