Sian Ka'an - Jul 26, 2007 update
Dive Team: Fred, Danny& Chris
Surface support: Capitan Juan
Dive site
Name: Entrada Boca Paila
Conditions: The water clarity in the Caapechen lagoon was clear with strong wind blowing from the ocean. The entrance of the cave was visible from a distance with crystal clear water gushing out of the cave to form an obvious boil at the surface of the lagoon. Once in the cave, the salt water was quite milky for at least 1 meter below the halocline. The percolation in newly explored passageways is important mainly with organic matters. However, there’s less organic percolation here that Entrada Caapechen.
Dive Objectives:
- Explore lead # 54 off the upstream M/L
- Photo documentation of the cave with Danny.
- The first lead checked out from SM#54 led the team SE back toward the M/L. The second line laid during the exploration went W/NW/W for 1,400 ft. While following the flow, the team was quite surprised to find so many speleothems.
- Photo shoot with Danny. Once again Danny came up with awesome shots in sometimes difficult diving condition.
- The end of the line is open but going NW through decorated cave at a depth of 65ft.
- This area offers like the rest of the cave lots of future exploration potential.
Many giant decorated dome at 40ft. The “Musketeers” line parallels the M/L. There is a possibility that this is part of the same conduit. This would make the passageway over 1,000ft from side-wall to side-wall.
A reminder to cave divers: Cave diving in the SKBR is strictly prohibited unless participating in the current exploration project. The park authorities will take seriously any trespassing.
| Line name: | Musketeers |
| Passage width (meters): | 50 |
| Passage Height (meters): | 10 |
| Passage Shape: | Canyons & Domes |
| Fauna: | Shrimps |
| Speleothems: | Yes |
| Sediment: | Red & Brown & white – organic - |
| Infill: | Breakdown |
| Water: | Slightly tannic – Halocline mid passage at 52 ft - |
| Additional Comments: | Yellow sponge on rock noticed in the first few 100meters of cave |
Equipment and Survey: 3 x 30/30 stages and 2 x 33amp per diver.
| Dive log: | |
| Dive # 1 | |
| Time in: | 13h00 |
| Time out: | 15h55 |
| Total run time: | 175 minutes |
| Max Depth: | 64 ft |
| Av Depth: | 53 ft |
| Divers: | Fred, Danny & Chris |
| Dive log: | |
| Dive # 2 | |
| Time in: | 16h20 |
| Time out: | 17h25 |
| Total run time: | 65 minutes |
| Max Depth: | 45 ft |
| Av Depth: | 40 ft |
| Divers: | Fred, Danny & Chris |