[TSOJOURNER]

Just recently returned from cruising the Sea of Cortez and while the trip was fabulous, one thing kept perplexing us. At all times of the day or night, it was possible to hear an odd crackling noise emanating from the water. The sounds was especially noticeable at night while in bed since the noises were amplified through the hull of the boat. Also when snorkeling, it was readily audible when underwater and could be best described as a ''crackling fireplace'' complete with occasional pops.

Has anyone cruised the Baja area and heard this and if so, what is it? I presume it is some sort of sealife, but we have eliminated porpoise, whales and other mammalian sealife.

Perplexed.

 

[TSOJOURNER]

I have heard of a shrimp called a pistol shrimp, that pop and crackle, but I have only heard about them in the Northwest, I am not sure if they live in the baja area though.

 

[TSOJOURNER]

It''s me again. Here is a website that has a definition of a pistol shrimp, I am still not sure whether they live down in the Baja area. Hope this helps! Sailboatshark

http://members.iinet.net.au/~conquest/andy/maswa/shrimp.html?clkd=iwm

P.S. sometimes since I live in NW Washington I listen to whales off of a website called www.orcafm.com and while you are listening sometimes you can hear pistol shrimp! Sailboatshark

 

[TSOJOURNER]

Sounds like a good answer to me and thanks for all the input. Mystery solved!

 

[TSOJOURNER]

No Problem! -SailboatShark