LI, NY Dive report (late)

I've been real busy lately, but still haven't forgot to let others know
what diving in 'paradise' is like.

This past Sunday, we dove the Oregon again. Being a very large ship,
there is always discovery of something new that you haven't seen before.
The morning started (5am)out to be one of 'doubt' as to whether we would
go diving or not. With small craft warnings, and seas running 4-6' on 4
second intervals, the trip looked extremely in doubt. We all waited to
hear from the captain if we were going out or going for breakfast at the
diner. No one loaded gear on the boat. Nothing like taking it on, then
taking it off again. Or worse, like last week, go for a boat ride to
find out that the ocean was too rough. Of course, the gear got all wet,
which meant washing it again AND lugging the stuff off the boat.
But, Capt. Wes Carmen said let's go (hoping he made the right choice).
As we approached the inlet to the ocean, we all looked out see if there
were breakers. None were spotted. And once out in the ocean, it really
wasn't that bad (being on a 60' aluminum dive boat CG rated for over 70
people helps).
After a 2+ hour trip (I napped of course), we arrived at the wreck. It
was slightly overcast with a nice breeze. The ocean was a little rough,
but nothing determind divers and crew couldn't handle. Water temp on
the surface was near a boiling 70 degrees. Makes me want to have on wet
suit instead of a dry suit. But once through the thermo, the temp
dropped to a comfortable 47 degrees. Vis was, for us here in NY, a good
25'. We were tied in again at the engine of the wreck. It is a truly
massive structure reaching to within 80' of the surface (the bottom for
me on this dive was 122'). You can swim through the pistons, which are
covered with anemone and other marine growth. Fish congregate around it
in the hundreds. Cod, black fish, sea bass, ling cod, sea pouts, and
many others make this wreck their home. And, of course lobster (with
claws). Scallops were collected by the bag full off out in the sand.
Another great dive on this splendid wreck.
We BBQ'ed during the SI, and then off for another dive. The second was
like the first except it was totally overcast, making this dive almost
like doing a night dive.
Both of my dives were about 50 minutes including decompression. While
doing the deco hang, you can look at the the little jellies and other
marine "stuff" floating by. The little jellies with the constant
changing of the colors can hold my attention and help make the deco time
go by 'faster'.
Back on the surface, time for the BBQ as we head back home. Polish
sausage, marinated pork loin, burgers, dogs, chips, "adult" beverages
and good talk of the dive (while Glenn and Phil shuck scallops) make the
2+ hour trip home fun. Oh, and yes, I did take another nap.

Just another day of diving in NY/LI paradise.

Tony, you did better that we did.
On Sunday we dove the U853 of Block Island with very high seas. Several of
us chumming the seas...
We had a dark 20' viz. When we came on board after the first dive, the
Captain said we had to head back to port due to deteriorating weather
conditions. We loaded the gear back in to the car with a heavy shower, only
to see the sun come out when we were on I-95 heading back home...
This weekend I will stay dry.
safe diving.

"TonyP" <arpierre@hooptonline.net> wrote in message
news:fJAQc.13856$zc4.6409102@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.n et...
> I've been real busy lately, but still haven't forgot to let others know
> what diving in 'paradise' is like.
>
> This past Sunday, we dove the Oregon again. Being a very large ship,
> there is always discovery of something new that you haven't seen before.
> The morning started (5am)out to be one of 'doubt' as to whether we would
> go diving or not. With small craft warnings, and seas running 4-6' on 4
> second intervals, the trip looked extremely in doubt. We all waited to
> hear from the captain if we were going out or going for breakfast at the
> diner. No one loaded gear on the boat. Nothing like taking it on, then
> taking it off again. Or worse, like last week, go for a boat ride to
> find out that the ocean was too rough. Of course, the gear got all wet,
> which meant washing it again AND lugging the stuff off the boat.
> But, Capt. Wes Carmen said let's go (hoping he made the right choice).
> As we approached the inlet to the ocean, we all looked out see if there
> were breakers. None were spotted. And once out in the ocean, it really
> wasn't that bad (being on a 60' aluminum dive boat CG rated for over 70
> people helps).
> After a 2+ hour trip (I napped of course), we arrived at the wreck. It
> was slightly overcast with a nice breeze. The ocean was a little rough,
> but nothing determind divers and crew couldn't handle. Water temp on
> the surface was near a boiling 70 degrees. Makes me want to have on wet
> suit instead of a dry suit. But once through the thermo, the temp
> dropped to a comfortable 47 degrees. Vis was, for us here in NY, a good
> 25'. We were tied in again at the engine of the wreck. It is a truly
> massive structure reaching to within 80' of the surface (the bottom for
> me on this dive was 122'). You can swim through the pistons, which are
> covered with anemone and other marine growth. Fish congregate around it
> in the hundreds. Cod, black fish, sea bass, ling cod, sea pouts, and
> many others make this wreck their home. And, of course lobster (with
> claws). Scallops were collected by the bag full off out in the sand.
> Another great dive on this splendid wreck.
> We BBQ'ed during the SI, and then off for another dive. The second was
> like the first except it was totally overcast, making this dive almost
> like doing a night dive.
> Both of my dives were about 50 minutes including decompression. While
> doing the deco hang, you can look at the the little jellies and other
> marine "stuff" floating by. The little jellies with the constant
> changing of the colors can hold my attention and help make the deco time
> go by 'faster'.
> Back on the surface, time for the BBQ as we head back home. Polish
> sausage, marinated pork loin, burgers, dogs, chips, "adult" beverages
> and good talk of the dive (while Glenn and Phil shuck scallops) make the
> 2+ hour trip home fun. Oh, and yes, I did take another nap.
>
> Just another day of diving in NY/LI paradise.
>

Lalin wrote:
> Tony, you did better that we did.
> On Sunday we dove the U853 of Block Island with very high seas. Several of
> us chumming the seas...

We did the U853 a few years ago. It was a 'dark' dive. The bottom is
that soft mucky dark stuff, hence, no light reflection. I really didn't
care for the dive that much. There was another boat there before us, so
penetration was out of the question (bubbles were coming out from inside
the sub). Besides, I certainly would not want to get stuck in that
narrow wreck of a sub.
After the U853, we dove the Grecian. Now, THAT was a great dive. White
sand bottom, vis in the 50'+ range. I played tag with a flounder for
about 10 mins. I would "chase" it, turn around and swim in another
direction with the flounder following me like a puppy.
This Sunday... the Lillian.

> We had a dark 20' viz. When we came on board after the first dive, the
> Captain said we had to head back to port due to deteriorating weather
> conditions. We loaded the gear back in to the car with a heavy shower, only
> to see the sun come out when we were on I-95 heading back home...

The ocean was fine in the afternoon.

> This weekend I will stay dry.

Getting wet!

> safe diving.

You bet... and the same to you.