Captain Steve Juarez Maui Diving Log

Aloha! Hoku went in the water at 4:04pm March 9

^{th, 2009, in a blinding snow storm and 28 degrees here at the New England Boat yard. We worked all day getting ready for the Boat Hauler and getting her in the water for the incline test tomorrow at 0700 with the naval architect and Mr. Ray Rock USCG. I don’t have all of the feeling in my hands and feet yet so my typing is worse then usual, I remember why I moved out of the mountains and the snow I hate being this cold. After we got her tied up at the dock for the night I raced down to the local West Marine Store to buy flares, paddles, first-aid kit, boat hook and odds and ends we needed to finish up with the safety equipment. Tomorrow will be another long, cold hard day moving the lead around on the boat and doing the test hopefully the USCG doesn’t cancel do to the weather it has snowed about 4" this afternoon. Enjoy the pictures of the old man freezing his you know what off!}

Today was our lucky day, we were diving at Shark Fin Rock and an endangered satellite tagged Monk Seal decided she was lonely and wanted to play with our divers.Monk Seals are very rare in the main Hawaiian Islands with a population of only about 100, the majority of the population lives in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands and still there are only about 1200 of these beautiful seals left. She swam right up to the camera and wouldn't leave me alone rubbing her head against me and hugging me with her flippers it was hard to take her picture she was just to close and in my face. After entertaining us for about a half hour she swam over to Lighthouse point to check out some of the other boats. This was a fabulous encounter and one I won't soon forget. We have been busy entering some of the products we carry to our on-line Quick Shopping Cart Store for those of you that are looking for an easy way to shop for dive gear on line and can’t make it into the shop. Go to WWW.shop.stevedives.com to visit the web store. Looking forward to seeing you on your next trip to Maui. Aloha, Captain Steve Juarez

Gallery Album: Monk Seal Photos