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Trip report Sian Ka’an -May 15 to 20, 2006 Project Report - May, 2006 update

16/05/06

Team:  Franco Attolini, Mario Valotta, Daniel Riordan, Fred Devos & Chris Le Maillot.

Dive site: South of Tulum on the road to Punta Allen. This is the north end of the Sian Ka’an biosphere. Entrance of the cave near a little Mayan ruin. There’s a circular collapse lying at about 20 feet under the murky water of Laguna Campechen. Previous explorers have named it entrada “Manatee”. The cave starts due west at a Depth of 42 feet.

Previous exploration: The April project (see trip report) have established 2 upstream lead to the W & SW. The end of both lines stands at 8,000ft.

Conditions: There’s less percolation for the first part of the cave to first T. Viz in salt water near the entrance is murky. Flow is significant at the entrance. Water temp is 79F except in “Silica Dome” where water temp is 81F at 40ft. The depth of the halocline changes rapidly over a few thousand feet from 48ft near the entrance to 53ft at 2000ft to 61ft at 6000ft.

Access: The Visitor Center (Centro de Visitantes) in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere is the perfect set up for base camp.  There’s a small dock facing Laguna Campechen. The boat ride to entrada Manatee is 15 minutes.

Logistics: 10 stages w/EANx32, 12 stages w/ 30/30, 5 dls w/EANx 32, 5x33amp scooters, 2x18amp scooters, 4 extra 33amp battery packs & generator.

Objectives:

  1. drop safeties at 4k & 7k
  2. Photo shoot in the first part of the cave

Summary of results: 

  1. Dropped safeties OK. It took 35 minutes to scooter to first safety drop point & 55 minutes to second drop.
  2. Photo shoot with Danny to Key Hole

Possible follow up:  We have a need for more photo & video. We can spend more time during the next project for photos.

Other comments/observation:

  1. North wind, water in the Laguna calm, strong flow at the entrance of the cave. Manatees were seen all day long (at least 3).
  2. The team was a lot more effective in dropping the safeties. 30/30 in the stages made the difference.
  3. Lots of shrimp observed during photo shoot.
  4. Cave system is named Campechen.

Acknowledgements: Sam Meacham, Christian Thomas and the team of French explorers, Jim Coke, Ecocolors, ragatours, Amigos de Sian Ka’an, The Nature Conservancy.

Equipment and Survey: 4 stages (2 x safeties) & 2 scooters per diver (2 x 33amp).

Dive log:

# 1 Time in: 11h42 / time out 14h02
Total run time: 145 minutes / Max Depth: 69 feet / Av Depth: 50 feet
Divers: Fred & Chris

# 2 Time in: 14h35 / time out 15h40
Total run time: 95 minutes / Max Depth: 54 feet / Av Depth: 45 feet
Divers:  Fred, Danny & Chris

17/05/06

Team: Franco Attolini, Mario Valotta, Fred Devos & Chris Le Maillot

Dive site: South of Tulum on the road to Punta Allen. This is the north end of the Sian Ka’an biosphere. Entrance is near a little Mayan ruin. There’s a circular collapse lying at about 20 feet under the murky water of the Laguna. Previous explorers have named it entrada “Manatee”. The cave starts due west at a Depth of 42 feet.

Previous exploration: The April project (see trip report) have established 2 upstream lead to the W & SW. The end of both lines stands at 8,000ft.

Conditions: There’s less percolation for the first part of the cave to first T. Viz in salt water near the entrance is murky. Flow is significant at the entrance. Water temp is 79F except in “Silica Dome” where water temp is 81F at 40ft. The depth of the halocline changes rapidly over a few thousand feet from 48ft near the entrance to 53ft at 2000ft to 61ft at 6000ft.

Access: The Visitor Center (Centro de Visitantes) in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere is the perfect set up for base camp.  There’s a small dock facing Laguna Campechen. The boat ride to Cenote Manatee is 15 minutes.

Logistics: 10 stages w/EANx32, 12 stages w/ 30/30, 5 dls w/EANx 32, 5x33amp scooters, 2x18amp scooters, 4 extra 33amp battery packs & generator.

Objectives:

  1. Explore the end of “Paso del Sur” line at 8,213ft
  2. Explore the various marked lead closer to the entrance

Summary of results: 

  1. Added another 1,100ft of line (Madre) going SW. The cave was in a bedding plane. Followed the flow to a big decorated room. Tried to keep a SW heading past the decorated room but cave stop in a dome rich in fragile speleothems. End of line is now at 9,366ft.
  2. Checked several leads closer to the entrance but no luck.

Possible follow up: There’s an N/NW lead to check towards the end of the line “Madre” past bedding plane.

Other comments/observation:

  1. North wind, water in the Laguna calm, strong flow at the entrance of the cave. Manatees were seen in the am.
  2. Cave was finely decorated.
  3. The cave may be changing direction? There’s a good N/NW lead to be checked. This will require a set-up dive.

Acknowledgements: Sam Meacham, Christian Thomas and the team of French explorers, Jim Coke, Ecocolors, Ragatours, Amigos de Sian Ka’an, The Nature Conservancy.

Equipment and Survey: 4 stages and 2 scooters per diver (2 x 33amp).

Dive log:

# 1 Time in: 11h30 / time out 15h40
Total run time: 250 minutes / Max Depth: 71 feet / Av Depth: 60 feet
Divers: Fred & Chris

# 2 Time in: 16h05 / time out 17h35
Total run time: 90 minutes / Max Depth: 61 feet / Av Depth: 45 feet
Divers:  Franco, Fred & Chris

18/05/06

Team: Franco Attolini, Mario Valotta, Roberto Chavez, Fred Devos & Chris Le Maillot

Dive site: South of Tulum on the road to Punta Allen. This is the north end of the Sian Ka’an biosphere. Entrance is near a little Mayan ruin. There’s a circular collapse lying at about 20 feet under the murky water of Laguna Campechen. Previous explorers have named it cenote “manatee”. The cave starts due west at a Depth of 42 feet.

Previous exploration: The April project (see trip report) have established 2 upstream lead to the W & SW.

Conditions: There’s less percolation for the first part of the cave to first T. Viz in salt water near the entrance is murky. Flow is significant at the entrance. Water temp is 79F except in “Silica Dome” where water temp is 81F at 40ft. The depth of the halocline changes rapidly over a few thousand feet from 48ft near the entrance to 53ft at 2000ft to 61ft at 6000ft.

Access: The Visitor Center (Centro de Visitantes) in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere is the perfect set up for base camp.  There’s a small dock facing Laguna Campechen. The boat ride to Entrada Manatee is 15 minutes.

Logistics: 10 stages w/EANx32, 12 stages w/ 30/305, dls w/EANx 32, 5x33amp scooters, 2x18amp scooters, 4 extra 33amp battery packs & generator.

Objectives:

  1. Check out leads from “Paso Del Sur” going back towards 1st T
  2. Explore lead near the mangrove ceiling

Summary of results: 

  1. Added 571ft of line (Hook) going NE then S from “Paso del Sur”. The beginning of the passage is simply the other side of a big canyon. This is a deeper salt water area with a maximum depth of 71ft. The end of the line is restricted with no viz.
  2. Checked out previously marked leads (# SM102, # SM46, # SM38, # SM18, # SM5, #SM6) without success. Frustrating dive for what looked to be promising ended up not going anywhere. Percolation is bad in new areas.
  3. Added 477ft of line (Mangrove) going around the mangrove ceiling area. The ceiling is at a depth of 35ft. The lead looped back to main line. Viz was extremely poor. There’s little doubt that this was a cenote in the past.

Possible follow up:  There’s a lot more area off main line to check out for side tunnel especially in salt water lens.

Other comments/observation:

  1. North wind, water in the Laguna calm, strong flow at the entrance of the cave. Manatees were seen & photographed by Roberto.
  2. Halocline seems to be slightly shallower near the entrance. Viz was poor in salt water.

Acknowledgements: Sam Meacham, Christian Thomas and the team of French explorers, Jim Coke, Ecocolors, Ragatours, Amigos de Sian Ka’an, The Nature Conservancy.

Equipment and Survey: 4 stages and 2 scooters per diver (2 x 33amp).

Dive log:

# 1 Time in: 11h00 / time out 15h40
Total run time: 280 minutes / Max Depth: 70 feet / Av Depth: 60 feet
Divers: Fred & Chris

# 2 Time in: 16h13 / time out 17h43
Total run time: 87 minutes / Max Depth: 65 feet / Av Depth: 50 feet
Divers:  Alex, Fred & Chris

19/05/06

Team: Franco Attolini, Mario Valotta, Roberto Chavez, Fred Devos & Chris Le Maillot

Dive site: South of Tulum on the road to Punta Allen. This is the north end of the Sian Ka’an biosphere. Entrance is near a little Mayan ruin. There’s a circular collapse lying at about 20 feet under the murky water of the Laguna. Previous explorers have named it entrada “Manatee”. The cave starts due west at a Depth of 42 feet.

Previous exploration:   The April project (see trip report) have established 2 upstream lead to the W & SW. The end of both lines stands at 8,000ft.

Conditions: There’s less percolation for the first part of the cave to first T. Viz in salt water near the entrance is murky. Flow is significant at the entrance. Water temp is 79F except in “Silica Dome” where water temp is 81F at 40ft. The depth of the halocline changes rapidly over a few thousand feet from 48ft near the entrance to 53ft at 2000ft to 61ft at 6000ft.

Access: The Visitor Center (Centro de Visitantes) in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere is the perfect set up for base camp.  There’s a small dock facing Laguna Campechen. The boat ride to Entrada Manatee is 15 minutes.

Logistics: 10 stages w/EANx32, 12 stages w/ 30/305, dls w/EANx 32, 5x33amp scooters, 2x18amp scooters, 4 extra 33amp battery packs & generator.

Objectives:

  1. Check out leads from “Silica Dome” line going SW.
  2. Probe north line near entrance & photo document different sediment.

Summary of results: 

  1. Added 1,159ft of line (Fracture South) going SW from “Silica Dome”. This is a very interesting part of the cave. There’s a fracture tunnel running N-S w/speleothems at an average depth of 65ft. The end of the line is wide open back in the halocline w/flow noticeable. Viz is challenging. The line runs between the 2 previously laid SW line.
  2. Photos taken of different sediment.
  3. Re-surveyed ML near mangroves.

Possible follow up:  The end of the line “Fracture South” is in need of further investigation.  This is still T’ed in “Silica Dome” line.

Other comments/observation:

  1. North wind, water in the Laguna calm, strong flow at the entrance of the cave. Manatee observed in the pm.
  2. Halocline seems to be slightly shallower near the entrance. Viz was still poor in salt water.
  3. Large school of juvenile permit.
  4. Left in the cave 2 safety bottles w/EANx 32 at 4K.

Acknowledgements: Sam Meacham, Christian Thomas and the team of French explorers, Jim Coke, Ecocolors, Ragatours, Amigos de Sian Ka’an, The Nature Conservancy.

Equipment and Survey: 4 stages and 2 scooters per diver (2 x 33amp).

Dive log:

# 1 Time in: 11h37 / time out 15h15
Total run time: 220 minutes / Max Depth: 71 feet / Av Depth: 62 feet
Divers: Fred & Chris

# 2 Time in: 16h13 / time out 17h43
Total run time: 87 minutes / Max Depth: 65 feet / Av Depth: 50 feet
Divers:  Roberto, Fred & Chris

20/05/06

Team: Franco Attolini, Mario Valotta, Fred Devos & Chris Le Maillot

Dive site: South of Tulum on the road to Punta Allen. This is the north end of the Sian Ka’an biosphere. Entrance is near a little Mayan ruin. There’s a circular collapse lying at about 20 feet under the murky water of the Laguna. Previous explorers have named it entrada “Manatee”. The cave starts due west at a Depth of 42 feet.

Previous exploration: The April project (see trip report) have established 2 upstream lead to the W & SW. The end of both lines stands at 8,000ft.

Conditions: There’s less percolation for the first part of the cave to first T. Viz in salt water near the entrance is murky. Flow is significant at the entrance. Water temp is 79F except in “Silica Dome” where water temp is 81F at 40ft. The depth of the halocline changes rapidly over a few thousand feet from 48ft near the entrance to 53ft at 2000ft to 61ft at 6000ft.

Access: The Visitor Center (Centro de Visitantes) in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere is the perfect set up for base camp.  There’s a small dock facing Laguna Campechen. The boat ride to Entrada Manatee is 15 minutes.

Logistics: 10 stages w/EANx32, 12 stages w/ 30/30, 5, dls w/EANx 32, 5x33amp scooters, 2x18amp scooters, 4 extra 33amp battery packs & generator.

Objectives:

  1. Check out Oxpechen openings # 1 (GPS 16 Q 448288 / 2221179) & # 2 (GPS 16 Q 0448831 / 2221179)
  2. Complete trip report & sort out survey data & mapping.

Summary of results: 

  1. Explored and surveyed new cave in Oxpechen #2. Line name “Snow” for a total of 431ft going N. V slight flow at the entrance. From the opening at 20ft the cave slopes down to 65ft. Slight halocline at 63ft. Opening is challenging with hydrogen sulfide & hills of organic silt covering clay bed.
  2. Oxpechen # 1 checked out again (already dove during Feb 2006 project). Pushed SE side of the opening which was heavily clogged with white organic sediment.              

Possible follow up:  The end of the line “Fracture South” is in need of further investigation.  This is still T’ed in “Silica Dome” line.

Other comments/observation:

  1. North wind, water in the Laguna calm, strong flow at the entrance of the cave. Manatee observed in the pm.
  2. Halocline seems to be slightly shallower near the entrance. Viz was still poor in salt water.
  3. Large school of juvenile permit.

Acknowledgements: Sam Meacham, Christian Thomas and the team of French explorers, Jim Coke, Ecocolors, Ragatours, Amigos de Sian Ka’an, The Nature Conservancy.

Equipment and Survey: 1 stage and BG only per diver.

Dive log:

# 1 Time in: 11h40 / time out 12h20
Total run time: 40 minutes / Max Depth: 44 feet / Av Depth: 35 feet
Divers: Franco & Fred

# 2 Time in: 12h45 / time out 13h45
Total run time: 60 minutes / Max Depth: 68 feet / Av Depth: 55 feet
  Divers: Franco & Fred

# 3 Time in: 14h30 / Time out: 15h18
Total run time: 48 minutes / Max Depth: 58 feet / Av Depth: 38 feet
Divers: Mario & Fred