Island Times Blog

Biologist’s Log: July 3, 2013

Today we were up bright and early to get underway and dive one of the Caribbean’s very best wreck dives, the stern section of the R.M.S. Rhone! (continued…)

The site is also important because it helped to establish sport diving in the BVI. It was also declared the Virgin Islands’ first National Marine Park in 1967. Artificial reefs like the ones at this site are important for both historical and ecological reasons. The conditions were excellent, especially the visibility. The wreck sits in 60 ft. of water, but we could easily see it from the surface. The students had been learning about the wreck as part of their two specialty dive courses—scientific diver and heritage awareness—so they were very excited to be diving this unique and memorable site. After the dive headed to Tortola for water and provisions. While the staff took care of the boat, students took their course exam. It really started to sink in that the end of the voyage was rapidly approaching. We sure have had a lot of fun! Afterwards, we went back to the Jost Van Dyke area and explored another protected area called Sandy Cay. We hiked a trail and encountered dozens of lizards and birds, which are all thriving due to the eradication of invasive species such as mongoose and rats from the island. Then we met up with our other SeaTrek boats at Little Harbour where we enjoyed a local family style dinner and stayed for the night.