Flower Gardens by Fred

Flower Gardens, 1999
Author: Fred

Just got back from my first trip to the Flower Gardens off Freeport, TX. Went aboard the "Fling". Very well run operation. The staff was very friendly and professional. The accomodations were not "Hilton-class", but then I didn't expect it either. For those of you who have never dove from the "Fling", let me give you a run-down on the boat. It is approx. 100 feet long. You board about 9:00PM on the dive deck. There is a sundeck above with lounge chairs and picnic tables. One of the two showers on board is on the back of the dive deck. Immediately off ghe dive deck is the eating/lounge area with booths and the galley. They also have a selection of movies that you can watch on the TV in this area. The only two fully functional toilets are in this area as well as the ladder to the main berthing area. Immediately forward of this is an area where folks can recharge camera batteries, etc. Then we reach the bridge. The access to the forward berthing area is in the bridge. The forward berthing area contains the only hot shower. The urine-only toilet is also in this area. Bunks in both areas are reminiscent of Navy-style accomodations, but they are air-conditioned and have privacy curtains. My bunk was against the bulkhead on the other side of which was the engines. The throb of the engines put me right to sleep at night, but whenever they changed the rpms, I woke immediately.

As to food, there was always liquid available free of charge such as water, lemonade, gatorade, tea, etc. Sodas and beer were extra. Before the first dive every morning, there was a continental-style breakfast (sweet rolls, coffee, etc.). After the first dive, there was a hot breakfast. The first morning was pancakes and sausage. Friday morning we had eggs and biscuits. Lunch was sandwwiches. For dinner, we had roast beef, sausage with peppers and onions, and fajitas.

Dive procedures went as follows. First dive was 7:00AM. Everything went by bunk number. You had approx. a 15 minute window to exit the boat. When you reached the gate, you gave them your bunk number and they recorded your time entering the water. There is about a 5-6 foot drop to the water. They have several lines strung around the boat to assist in reaching the mooring lines/exit ladders etc. When returning, they have tag lines, of course, and two lines attached to the ladder just for removing your fins. You exit the water with weight belt, BC, etc. still on you. When you exit the water, you give them your bunk number, depth, and time. which is recorded on the board. A little while later, they come around with a manifest and check on your condition. There is also a Zodiak for recovery of divers who are too tired to make it back to the boat.

The reefs themselves are very reminiscent of Bermuda. Lots of hard corals and sponges, very few soft. Few large fish, but multitudes of smaller juveniles. We did see one manta ray and one guy got about 4 seconds of shark footage on the night dive. Lots of large barracuda and many parrotfish. A LARGE sea turtle hung out at the back of the boat one night for a while.

Here are how my dives went:

-8/19/99 7:00AM Flower Gardens (West Bank Bouy 2) 86fsw 33 min. -2 1/2 hour surface interval (breakfast and nap) -8/19/99 10:15AM (approx.) Flower Gardens (West Bank Bouy 2) 91fsw 38 min. -3 hour surface interval (lunch, nap, and moving the boat) -8/19/99 2:00PM (approx.) Flower Gardens (East Bank Bouy 5) 74fsw 34 min. -2 1/2 hour surface interval (nap time again) -8/19/99 5:30PM (approx.) Flower Gardens (East Bank Bouy 5) 65fsw 32 min. -2 1/2 hour surface interval (dinner) -8/19/99 8:30PM (approx.) Flower Gardens (East Bank Buoy 5) (night dive) 20fsw 6 min. This dive was aborted due to my buddy experiencing sensory and task overload. This was his first night dive and only about his 15th dive total. Rather disappointing, but I did get to get to the hot shower before there was a line. -8/20/99 6:30AM Stetson Bank (Pinnacles) 90fsw 33min. -2 1/2 hour surface interval (breakfast and nap) -8//20/99 9:30AM Stetson Bank (Pinnacles) 81fsw 35 min. -3 1/2 hour surface interval (nap time, lunch, and moving the boat) -8/20/99 2:30PM Galveston Area A34 oil rig 77fsw 34 min.

Visibility averaged 80 to 100 feet and the water temp hung in about 84F. A couple of helpful hints: if you use DIN valves, bring your own adapter. Nitrox fills cost extra. They will take credit cards for your soda, beer, and shirt charges. Pictures will be up soon.

Fred