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| | ==Get in== | | ==Get in== |
| − | [[Image:Map.png|400px|thumb|Map of the site]] | + | <!--[[Image:Map.png|400px|thumb|Map of the site]]--> |
| | ===Access=== | | ===Access=== |
| | This site is only accessible by boat. It is about 24km from Miller's Point slipway, or 37km from Gordon's Bay. | | This site is only accessible by boat. It is about 24km from Miller's Point slipway, or 37km from Gordon's Bay. |
| | | | |
| | ===Position=== | | ===Position=== |
| − | S34°24.73 E18°35.57 (approximately) | + | S34°24.93 E18°35.50 (approximately) |
| | | | |
| | <!--Bearings: | | <!--Bearings: |
| Line 22: |
Line 22: |
| | ===Name=== | | ===Name=== |
| | The name "Rocky Bank" is recorded on the SA Navy charts of the area. | | The name "Rocky Bank" is recorded on the SA Navy charts of the area. |
| | + | It is also a simple description of the era which is a bank of sandstone, mostly between 25 and 30m deep. |
| | | | |
| | ===Depth=== | | ===Depth=== |
| | The top of the bank is at about 22m. The chart suggests that the area shallower than 30m is about 2 square kilometres. | | The top of the bank is at about 22m. The chart suggests that the area shallower than 30m is about 2 square kilometres. |
| | | | |
| − | <!--===Visibility===
| + | ===Visibility=== |
| − | comment on visibility to be expected-->
| + | The bank has not been dived extensively, but there are indications that the visbility may be better than average for the False Bay region, as the bottom is rocky, there can be a current, and the water is fairly deep and quite far from the coast, so waves will not easily disturb any sediment, and the current would carry it away rapidly. Visibility has been reported at about 20m. |
| | | | |
| | ===Topography=== | | ===Topography=== |
| | This is a large area, and probably varies considerably from place to place. | | This is a large area, and probably varies considerably from place to place. |
| − | | + | Reports indicate that a large area is moderately flat sandstone reef with low dip angle, so there are steps rather than ridges. However there are areas with profile in the order of 2 to 3 metres gullies and ridges. |
| − | <!--description of the layout, landmarks and geographical arrangement of the site-->
| + | |
| | | | |
| | '''Geology:''' | | '''Geology:''' |
| − | Probably sandstones of the Table Mountain series
| + | Sandstones probably of the Table Mountain series. |
| − | <!--Strike (direction), Dip (direction) if applicable and available-->
| + | Strike direction is unknown, Dip direction also not known and fairly flat. |
| | | | |
| | ===Conditions=== | | ===Conditions=== |
| − | <!--The site is exposed to (weather/sea condition), so should be dived in (weather/sea condition), and is often good in (weather/sea condition). The site is reasonably protected from (weather/sea condition), but if (weather/sea condition occurs) then (response to weather/sea condition)-->
| + | The site is exposed to wind and swell from all directions, so should be dived in calm conditions. This may occur at any time of the year. Use the sea state and weather forecasts for planning. |
| − | | + | |
| − | <!--The site is (usually) at it's best in (season1) but there are also occasional opportunities in (season2) and (season3).-->
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | <!--This is an area which sometimes has (special circumstance), caused by (condition1), resulting in (condition2)-->
| + | |
| | | | |
| | <!--===Classification==--> | | <!--===Classification==--> |
| Line 49: |
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| | | | |
| | ==See== | | ==See== |
| − | <!--[[Image:(photo of typical marine organism from site)|thumb|(caption)]]-->
| + | [[Image:(photo of typical marine organism from site)|thumb|Typical reef life at Rocky Bank]] |
| | ===Marine life=== | | ===Marine life=== |
| − | <!--General description of biota. Substitute “Aquatic life” for fresh water sites-->
| + | The rocks are encrusted with a large range of colourful sponges, ascidians, soft corals, noble corals hydroids and coralline algae. |
| − | | + | Shoals of small fish, and larger yellowtail swim over the reef, and occasionally sharks will be seen. |
| − | <!--[[Image:(photo of typical feature from site)|thumb|(caption)]]-->
| + | |
| − | <!--===Features===-->
| + | |
| − | <!--other features of note, eg caves, wrecks, anything that a diver might consider a reason to dive the site other than marine life-->
| + | |
| | | | |
| | ===Photography=== | | ===Photography=== |
| − | <!--What kind of photography is likely to produce good results-->
| + | If the visbility is good, almost any equipment should produce good results. Natural light will be blue or green due to the depth, so a strobe or other artificial light will be needed to bring out the bright reds and yellows. |
| − | <!--Recommendations for photographic equipment: Lens angle, lighting etc.-->
| + | |
| | | | |
| | ===Suggested Routes=== | | ===Suggested Routes=== |
| − | <!--General description of routes-->
| + | The site is vast and large areas are not distinguished by any notable features. No routes are known yet, find a place of suitable depth and do a drift dive. |
| − | <!--#List of specific route instructions-->
| + | |
| | | | |
| | ==Stay safe== | | ==Stay safe== |
| | ===Hazards=== | | ===Hazards=== |
| − | Cold water possible,. Strong winds may develop over a short time.
| + | Strong winds may develop over a short time. The site is far out to sea, it may be difficult for the boat to see unmarked divers on the surface. |
| | | | |
| | ===Skills=== | | ===Skills=== |
| − | <!--any special skills required or recommended-->
| + | The ability to deploy a DSMB is recommended. |
| | | | |
| | ===Equipment=== | | ===Equipment=== |
| − | <!--Equipment additional to what is considered basic for the region, recommended for this site and reasons if not obvious-->
| + | Each group leader should tow an SMB to allow the boat to keep track of their position. Each diver should carry a DSMB or other brightly coloured signalling device that can increase visible height by at least a metre (yellow is considered most visible at sea). A whistle may also be useful in an emergency. |
| | + | |
| | | | |
| | Back to [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay]] | | Back to [[Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay]] |
| | | | |
| − | {{outline}} | + | {{usabletopic}} |
This site is only accessible by boat. It is about 24km from Miller's Point slipway, or 37km from Gordon's Bay.
This site is not in a Marine Protected Area (2009). A permit is not required.
The name "Rocky Bank" is recorded on the SA Navy charts of the area.
It is also a simple description of the era which is a bank of sandstone, mostly between 25 and 30m deep.
The top of the bank is at about 22m. The chart suggests that the area shallower than 30m is about 2 square kilometres.
The bank has not been dived extensively, but there are indications that the visbility may be better than average for the False Bay region, as the bottom is rocky, there can be a current, and the water is fairly deep and quite far from the coast, so waves will not easily disturb any sediment, and the current would carry it away rapidly. Visibility has been reported at about 20m.
This is a large area, and probably varies considerably from place to place.
Reports indicate that a large area is moderately flat sandstone reef with low dip angle, so there are steps rather than ridges. However there are areas with profile in the order of 2 to 3 metres gullies and ridges.
The site is exposed to wind and swell from all directions, so should be dived in calm conditions. This may occur at any time of the year. Use the sea state and weather forecasts for planning.
The rocks are encrusted with a large range of colourful sponges, ascidians, soft corals, noble corals hydroids and coralline algae.
Shoals of small fish, and larger yellowtail swim over the reef, and occasionally sharks will be seen.
If the visbility is good, almost any equipment should produce good results. Natural light will be blue or green due to the depth, so a strobe or other artificial light will be needed to bring out the bright reds and yellows.
The site is vast and large areas are not distinguished by any notable features. No routes are known yet, find a place of suitable depth and do a drift dive.
Strong winds may develop over a short time. The site is far out to sea, it may be difficult for the boat to see unmarked divers on the surface.
Each group leader should tow an SMB to allow the boat to keep track of their position. Each diver should carry a DSMB or other brightly coloured signalling device that can increase visible height by at least a metre (yellow is considered most visible at sea). A whistle may also be useful in an emergency.
