January Captain's Chronicles

Conscience / Loco-al Diving / Wired 

I’ve been entertaining myself, contemplating the word conscience the past several days. The word ‘con’ combined with the word ‘science’… Hmmmm. Con can have several meanings. Pros and cons. Con as in convict. Also, somebody is trying to con us. Even more intriguing when we consider the Spanish meaning of con: ‘with’. So we have Negative Science, Criminal Science, Extortion Science, and With Science.   

“The sense or consciousness of the moral goodness of one's own conduct, intentions and character together with a feeling of obligation to do right or be good.” The definition of the word conscience - Merriam/Webster.  

Having a conscience is not hip, trendy, or popular currently, but we need more people with one! Especially those leading us. You know, as Neil Peart wrote: “And the men who hold high places must be the ones who start to mold a new reality closer to the heart.” Neil was such a dreamer! I’ve joked for many years that I’m one of 10% of guys who are cursed with a conscience. Feels like my number may be a little low there! Anyway, thanks for enduring my sanity-boost release. Cheers to a clear conscience for all of us! My favorite ‘con’ in conscience is with-science. 

Local Diving = Loco Diving. Cause you’re likely crazy if you’re diving locally considering our clarity (or lack thereof). Not to mention water temps in the mid 60’s! I could easily copy any of my local diving reports during winter over the last several years and just plug it in here. The song remains the same: rapid-fire cold fronts with not enough calm days between them to allow for the water to clear up. Plus, we still have red tide lingering out there. It’s in the 3-10 mile range with higher concentrations to the north of Marco. That USED to be a rarity here during winter months. I believe that some slow runoff from Helene and Milton is still at play here.

Hold the presses. I just got a fresh dive report from a local. I had written the above on Friday (near the end of what seemed like a 48-hour rain event). My position was jaded and pessimistic. Joshua got paid to go find an anchor over the weekend, then sleighed a hogfish and five nice mangrove snappers at the Zoo Reef. That’s an artificial reef about 15 miles to our southwest that the Kidd barge was building when she sank. He says visibility was 20+ feet. Of course, we had a cold front push through Sunday evening, so all bets are off.  

How about some good news? A couple months ago the coast guard was transmitting a VHF warning about a large barge mostly submerged about 15 miles offshore from Marco. I just got word from a captain friend that he located it! It’s in about 50’ of water and looks to be about 150’ long. I’ve been thinking recently that we’re past due for a new substantial dive site. Thank you universe, this has me stoked! 

Man, have I been wired lately? I know I’m usually relaxed and chill. I’ve taken being wired to the next level these past five weeks. Unfortunately, it’s not my temperament that’s wired; it’s my jaw. As in wired shut! I took a nasty spill, and as I’ve done my entire life, I landed on my chin. This time, it was hard enough to break my jaw on both sides. My pain hasn’t been bad, but the challenges of preparing and consuming an all-liquid diet have been a challenge. I wouldn’t recommend this, even as an extreme weight loss measure. Back when I could open my mouth, chew, and swallow, Jessi and I would get into what I termed ‘food ruts.’ Me; ”what do you want to eat”? Her; ”I don’t know what are you hungry for”? (Switch roles and repeat). I will never have another food rut! I have a long list of foods I’m excited to eat, and I will never take chewing a meal for granted again. I will appreciate every bite, and I’m looking forward to buying that new grill I’ve put off for so long. One more week to go until my tongue is freed from teeth prison! 

So, in recap, we covered some topics here worth considering. Having a conscience is a good thing, but it appears to be a threatened, if not endangered, mindset. Chewing food is wonderful, and every meal should be thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated! After re-reading what I’ve written, I do believe I have come up with a new mantra for myself. I’m normally opposed to the overconsumption of fossil fuels, but I am going to make an exception here. Don’t worry; I can do so and still keep my conscience clear. I’m talking about burning propane (or charCOAL). That’s right. Everybody in this country should fire up their BBQs repeatedly in 2025 and cook up all sorts of deliciousness. That leads us to my new mantra for the next several years.   With a clear conscience, I give you: GRILL BABY GRILL!!!   

Live, Love, Dive!  — Jeff