TRAVELSPECIAL
Angelfish on a reef of plume coral special when a regular guest pleads to return before we’ ve even hit the water.
Dropping into the warm Caribbean blue, the reef below suddenly splits apart to reveal a dramatic volcanic crevice slicing through the seabed like a giant scar. Entering the fissure, towering walls rise sharply on either side. Overhead, shafts of sunlight pierce the narrow opening, illuminating giant barrel sponges, sea fans, and hard corals clinging to the rock.
After 30 minutes of winding channels, we pop out onto a deep drop-off wall that plummets to dark depths. With our diminishing air, the only sensible path is up to a plateau where a free-swimming green moray eel surprises us with its pace. I spend my surface interval attempting to herd a group of schoolmaster snapper into a photogenic shape.
Shimmering umbrella of death
That evening I’ m enjoying the golden glow of dusk and devouring a barbecue of‘ island-style’ ribs made by chef Jana Waterhouse on the upper deck. Tucking in a little too eagerly, I am licking sauce from my fingers as I start to grill Alan about his own journey here. In 1984 he met Wayne and Anne Hasson, the original coowners of the Aggressor Fleet and he was encouraged to get his captain’ s licence on the inaugural Aggressor charter. He began moving their boats around the Caribbean. He beams like the sun as he describes how he lived the dream – traveling the world, identifying new dive locations, kitting out boats, strategizing catering logistics and hiring crew.
After decades of running other people’ s boats, the opportunity arose in 2016 for Alan to buy his own and operate it as an Aggressor franchise. I ask if he was nervous starting this new venture. He laughs,“ No! I knew I could do it! I’ d been doing it for 20
Sailfin blenny defends its home
Flamingo tongue snail on a fan coral
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