Shark Eater

by K D McNiven

  They moved to the dive platform at the stern and fitted their flippers. “The water is perfect,” he said. “It looks clear, great for viewing marine life. Sometimes the visibility can be a mere foot—not the most ideal times.” He chuckled. “Can be a bit eerie because you can’t see certain marine life that you’d rather keep at a safe distance.”

  “You mean sharks?” Her eyes widened.

  “They live here, yes,” Garrett said, his tone matter of fact.

  “Well, I’d rather not think about them.”

  He laughed lightly. “I’ll keep my eyes peeled. And I have my trusty knife strapped to my thigh.”

  Carson met up with them, Sam at his side. They were going to take advantage of their vacation, and since Shane was now in charge in the pilot house, Carson felt comfortable taking some time for himself.

  The crew shimmied into their wet suits and went over their equipment, while Garrett went over the fundamentals again with Holly. There were specific hand motions. Some were used to reveal specific aquatic animals that were often obscure, such as octopuses that tucked themselves into the coral crevasses or a sea turtle that happened to paddle close by. But mostly the hand signals were to indicate if someone was in distress or shifting ocean current patterns that were dangerous.

  Holly practiced hand motions with Garrett, and though a bit apprehensive, there was a wave of excitement pulsing through her. Garrett assisted her with the buoyancy compensator and mask; then they slipped on their fins.

  When all the crew was ready, Garrett led off, rolling over the stern platform with a splash, and waited for Holly and the others to join him. They swam out to the mooring line and headed down toward the coral reef.

  The reef was a vibrant array of colors and shapes, and the coral teemed with life. Golden spears of light penetrated the water overhead and deflected off the fish, lending startling variations of extravagant color. It has been documented that one-fourth of the world's fish, plants and invertebrates were indigenous to Hawaii.

  They first dove to ten feet and moved closer to the shore where they saw a myriad of fish—schools of Yellow Tang, trumpetfish with long noses and pencil-like bodies, several varieties of Butterflyfish with colors that ranged from bright orange to electrifying blue.

  Garrett turned to see how Holly was fairing in the new environment and she curled her fingers into an “I’m okay” gesture. Garrett nodded and pointed out a Bright-eyed Damselfish which was tucked back into the coral, appearing quite terrified by their intrusion.

  Putting his hands together and rotating his thumbs, he indicated a turtle was swimming above their heads. He saw Holly’s eyes widen with wonder, and she bobbed her head to tell him she saw it.

  Going down another ten feet, they touched the sandy floor. Long streams of seaweed danced and swayed in the current like a fluid waltz. Reaching out his hand, Garret touched the bottom. An eruption of sand immediately followed as a flounder, disturbed from its hiding spot, sped away.

  Swimming toward a mountain of rock coral, Garrett spied something glinting beneath a jagged shelf, imbedded partially in the sand. He swam over and reached out his hand to dust off the object. To his surprise, it appeared to be a coin. Time in the elements had worn the face to the degree it could not be identified, but curiosity drove him to do a sweep of the area. With a small brush he withdrew from a side pouch, he carefully swept and studied the coral shelves to see if he could find any other artifacts.

  After a few passes, he uncovered several more coins and what appeared to be a quarter circle—a seaman’s quadrant; a navigational tool used to find latitude. The wood had somehow managed to survive the elements and was recognizable to Garrett even with the barnacles and deterioration. He held them up for the others to see, excitement glimmering in his eyes.

  Carson swam to his side, quite surprised that Garrett was able to find something so unique in this swatch of the ocean. As he inspected the coins along with Garrett, he shook his head with unbelief. They all began a search around the area and moving closer in towards the shore where there appeared to be a trail of the coins.

  Holly was thrilled to find treasure on her first dive. She couldn’t wait to tell this story to Decker and Callie. Diving in these unspoiled waters with its diverse sea life would have been enough excitement to last a lifetime, to say the least. But to uncover a treasure trove of coins was an added bonus.

  Taking a glass container from his bag, Garrett dropped the coins inside along with some sea water. At which point, he also withdrew a plastic container that was able to be sealed and slipped the navigational quadrant inside. He would take them to the Jade and see what he could find out concerning the artifacts and have them dated. What was going to be a simple day of underwater exploration, now turned into a scientific adventure for the crew.

  Adrenalin flooded them as they kicked their way back toward the surface. Once they were back to the yacht, they climbed out of the salty water and peeled off their equipment and wetsuits. The crew immediately went to their small cubicle that made up their lab, which contained a microscope and a few items for scientific study. Holly trailed along. She was not going to miss out on this part of her adventure.

  “I can’t make out the details,” Carson said, a bit disappointed that he couldn’t identify the coin.

  “Looks like a GV on it. But that’s as far as I can determine.” Garrett shrugged. We’ll have to take it to the museum. Let the scientists determine what we have found.”

  “I’d say that is our best bet,” agreed Carson.

  Holly looked on enthralled that they had found some kind of coinage that was undoubtedly old, and historically significant

  “Tell me, what was your impression of your first diving experience?” asked Garrett as if

  he had reached in and read her very thought.

  “Unbelievable!” Since meeting Garrett, her life had been filled with intrigue, and now she was getting to experience firsthand the excitement of discovery.

  He smiled. “Happy to hear that.” Looking back at Carson, he added, “Soon as we take this to the museum and discover what we have, I’ll give Decker a call on the satellite phone.

  “We’ll head over tomorrow,” agreed Carson.

  CHAPTER 12

  Shark Eater

  The Shark Eater skirted by the Exuma Islands, a string of islands that looked like a long necklace of precious gems—three hundred and sixty-five to be exact—with dazzling white sandy beaches, and pristine waters. A northeasterly trade wind swept over the deck, but the water beneath them was calm. They continued gliding over the swells, steady at eighteen knots, heading to their destination, an area below the Turks and Caicos.

  Slipping through the Caicos Passage, they continued on to Little Ambergris Cay where they would drop anchor in the deeper channel and take the Zodiac out to the shallows where they intended to dive.

  Once there, the conditions were perfect for diving. A gamut of emotions rippled through the crew as they made ready for their dive. Dax, Decker, and Callie met in the pilot house to review the bathymetry map taken after their arrival. The sonar charts would provide detailed images of hidden gorges, marine depths and submerged structures. Linus was brimming with enthusiasm as he began to go over the geographical information system readings with them.

  “I used the GIS,” Linus told them, a sliver of sun glinting off his red-rimmed glasses. “What I wanted you to see is that I’ve peeled the water back from the area so you can examine the ocean floor. If you look here,” he dragged his finger across the computer screen, “you can see a rock shelf. The ship nose-dived on her descent to the floor, and broke into pieces, the stern dropping over the rock cliff. You’ll be diving ten meters from where the bow is located. Karina’s team will stay at the bow this morning to take water samples.”

  “Not a problem,” Dax said.

  “If the current changes, the force might loosen the bow and cause it to topple over the lip of the cliff. It doesn’t appear to be very stable, so be car
eful. In any case, I’ll warn you. You don’t want to risk your lives.”

  “Of course not,” Dax said.

  Linus moved his attention to the side scan sonar readings. “Off to the left of the stern is what appears to be one of the masts. By its positioning, I’m going to guess the main mast. Here are the depth charts for you to go over and the bathymetric chart that will give you an accurate measurable and visual presentation of the submerged terrain.”

  “Good thing you’re a hydrographer,” said Decker. “You make our work look like cake making.”

  Linus snickered. “We all know better than that, Decker. The team takes a lot of risk diving in these kinds of places, and a whole lot can go wrong down there.”

  Karina and India bustled into the chart room. India was already dressed in her wet suit and held her black veil of hair in her hands. She swept it away from her face and secured it in a long ponytail.

  “Sorry we’re late,” she apologized. “The equipment was being inspected, so we had to wait for some of our gear.”

  “Happens,” Captain Manny replied matter-of-factly. “Take a look at the charts. Karina, you’ll have your team on the upper shelf taking samples. Linus needs to go over a few things that could be problematic for your team.”

  They stepped forward and peered over Linus’s shoulder to catch a view of the underwater landscape they would be exploring. Karina’s team would be measuring oxygen levels and testing sea vegetation, as well as water quality. Part of their grant was contingent upon them gathering important data on the ecosystem in that particular area.

  ‘Today, we will simply be recording,” Dax said to the crew as they moved out onto the main deck. He spotted Lars readying his video gear and was thankful he had volunteered to be a part of their team. Most of the crew was not paid for their hard work. They offered because they earned experience and because it was their passion.

  Karina grabbed the underwater writing slates for recording data for her team. The tablets connected to their suits by carabiners; the pencils were tethered to the slate.

  “Okay, mates, this is it,” Dax said with a rush of excitement. “Let’s put our gear on and prepare to dive.”

  Decker felt exhilarated as he shimmied into his wetsuit, drawing it up around his waist. He pushed his feet into the boots and then began collecting his gear. Grabbing his knife, he strapped it to his thigh, knowing how imperative it was to have it with him. He placed his gear bag into the cavity under the bench in the Zodiac.

  There was a flurry on deck as everyone slid on their buoyancy compensators (BC), a vest with an inflatable bladder that contained gas to help the diver descend or to remain on the seafloor while they did their study. They also strapped on weights to counteract the buoyancy of the diver and the equipment they wore.

  Fins and masks in hand, they made their way to the dive platform at the stern to wait for the Zodiac inflatable to be brought around. The boat was being loaded with their air tanks and equipment and would be lowered into the ocean by the use of the ship’s crane.

  Everyone was excited as they loaded into the Zodiac. Dax was their lead diver because he had the most experience. He would be the first in and the last out. He had secured the dive lines and investigated the area to make sure there were no obvious dangers to the team.

  They jetted toward the marked area where the mooring line was extended. Each team member was assigned a buddy—a precaution taken for their own safety in case of an emergency. The changing currents and rough waters, as well as visibility, all created their own unique challenges for the dive team. It was important for them to always stay alert.

  Dax tossed the trail line from the stern approximately 50 feet out to sea, with an orange float attached to it. Fitting his mask, he pulled on his flippers, and then he rolled over the side of the Zodiac into the gentle swells. He gave the okay sign, and the others followed suit. When they were in the water, they grabbed hold of the trail line to keep from being pulled away by the current.

  Once they began their descent and kicked their way toward the wreck, Decker’s heart quickened. He caught a glimpse of broken wood jutting out of silt and sand as they closed the gap. He and Callie had dived the Shipwreck Trail on several occasions, but this was the first time they would have the chance to view a newly discovered shipwreck. Enthusiasm coursed through his veins and he twisted his head to look at Callie. He could see the same reflection sparking in her jade eyes, wide behind her mask.

  The first dive would consist of taking dimensions, gathering information on exposure and decay, and taking samples for dating. They would also be looking for anything else that could help determine if this could be one of the five galleons brought to their demise by the hurricane in 1539.

  Karina began taking samples, though she was surprised by the lack of biological diversity surrounding the wreckage. She noted that there was little algae and plankton growth within the perimeter she was scouring, nor was there the thriving marine life one would expect to see in warm, tropical water. Perplexed, she filled a couple of containers with some of the sediment that had settled on the coral.

  Dax, Decker, and Callie discovered what appeared to be a cannon ball and an adze, a shipbuilder’s tool that looked much like an axe, though the blade was arched and elongated. Both pieces were pitted out and badly corroded. They slipped these into one of their sealed containers along with a few pieces of wood that were partially buried. They attached the lift bag to the cable and then sent it up to the Zodiac which was being manned by Chase Vanderpool.

  Decker was happy to have good visibility, and light penetration from the surface as he jotted down the measurements of the ship he and Dax were documenting. Writing was a bit challenging because the currents pressure and flux pulsed against them. They were using a three-dimensional surveying technique using depth gauges and tape measures. The method was not as accurate as acoustic positioning, or land surveys, but where they were not using ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles), the method was sufficient, especially since they had their sonar images for reference.

  Carefully monitoring the gauges on their tanks, they determined they would need to resurface because of declining oxygen levels. Gathering the team, they made their way back up the line to the Zodiac. The current had become much stronger than when they had first entered the water, so they had to hold tight to the rope to avoid being swept away.

  Dax and Decker waited as the team began piling back into the Zodiac. Karina held onto the side and handed her bag of samples to Chase. She lifted her mask and spat out the regulator, a smile on her lips. “I got loads of data,” she said. Suddenly her eyes went wide with alarm as the current, heavy and grabbing, ripped her grip from the boat. She had failed to anticipate the combined effect of current and weights upon her petite frame, and she was sucked backwards. Then the weights pulled her towards the ocean floor.

  Panicked, she flailed her arms in an attempt to find the regulator that was flung behind her but was unable to grasp hold of it. It would only be minutes before she could no longer hold her breath. Her lungs screamed for air, and she fought the impulse to open her mouth.

  Decker and Dax sprang into action. They held onto the mooring line with one hand as the waves were pushing against them and dove back into the water. They knew Karina would not be able to hold out for long without her air supply, and both hoped they could see the outline of her body in the now, murky depths.

  Decker drove himself savagely until he caught a glimmer of something metal. He reached out and caught Karina’s wrist which was limp. Removing his regulator, he placed it in her mouth. Disoriented, she began jerking wildly, her arms circling like propellers. Decker fought to hold her tightly against him to keep her from tearing the air tube from his tank.

  When her panic subsided, she relaxed in Decker’s arms. Decker was able to share the regulator with her as her senses returned. Dax caught up to them and slipped his arm around her, and the three of them began a slow ascent to the surface.

  Chase an
d India drew her safely back into the boat and then turned to help Decker and Dax. Removing his mask and gear, Dax snapped, “What were you thinking, Kat!”

  “Hey, take it easy on her, Dax,” India admonished, though she knew his reaction was because he was visibly shaken. “She knows she messed up.”

  He rubbed his hand through his dark hair and sighed. “I’m sorry. Are you all right, Kat?”

  She nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed that she had thrown all of her training out the window. She knew better than to remove her mask and regulator before taking off the weight belt.

  “We’ve all botched it one time or another,” India said.

  “I know. I feel stupid.”

  “You scared the wits out of us,” Callie said, reaching over to touch her arm.

  Karina glanced up at Decker and managed a smile. “Thank you, Decker. If it hadn’t been for you and Dax’s quick response, I’d not be here right now.”

  “Thankfully you are,” Decker replied, taking a seat next to her and at the same time removing his gear. He shoved it beneath the bench. “Don’t dwell on it, Kat. Best to focus on the artifacts and samples we’re returning with.”

  “I second that,” Dax grinned and gave Karina an affectionate hug.

  The Zodiac jetted through the rolling waves in the direction of the Shark Eater. The team was anxious to head back to do some research on their findings, then call it a day. If weather conditions held, they would remain anchored and make another dive in the morning, but the sea was unpredictable. There was always a possibility that they would be forced to head back to the mainland and hole up there until the weather cooperated.