Turtle Power!

After anchoring in Coral Bay yesterday we decided to go snorkling despite the poor conditions. Dan, Hal, and I dinghied to a good coral outcropping that we had found on a previous visit. The moderate winds were kicking up an equivolent moderate chop. This was stirring up a lot of sediment, reducing visibility to about 15 feet. Hal quickly spotted a large three-foot sea turtle resting on the bottom. I handed Hal my speargun, got a good breath of air and dove down to the turtle. He saw me approach but foolishly hesitated in making his escape. I gripped him firmly on both shoulders and he took off like a rocket. We cruised over the bottom at a good speed. Hal, having dived down with me, struggle to keep pace but was thwarted when his laughter caused his mask and lungs to fill with water. I tryed to kick upwards and bring the turtle toward the surface, but it became apparent that I was very much not in charge of where we would be going. I finally had to disengage as my breath ran out. Now that we've expierenced this thrill no sea turtle is safe in the caribbeaen sea.