Yamashiro Project, a personal diary

cedricverdier · 17th July 2006, 01:47

Hi all,

Just to let you know that the Yamashiro project team is now in the Philippines. I post this diary when I can, as the Internet access are seldom and the connection speed very slow. For more details and pictures, have a look at www.cedricverdier.com/yamashiro.html

Cheers

1st Phase: Getting there...
July 13th, 14th and 15th 2006

Living in Thailand, the trip to the Philippines should be easy and relaxing, with only a 3-hour fly to Manilla. Unfortunately, things are never as planned. Some delays in the flight, a tropical storm nicely named “Florita” and some very bad sea conditions will make my day more interesting. Arrived in Manilla under strong rain showers, I quickly take the first taxi available to go to the ferry terminal. Howerver it happens that the ferry going to Cebu Island has been cancelled till further notice. There will maybe one tomorrow, weather permitting. That’s a bad start.

With 80 kg of diving equipment, I don’t exactly travel “light” and I genuinely rely on the advice of a taxi driver to find a hotel nearby. The only one proposed to me is a decent building in a quiet area but I suddenly realize, after having mentally fought with the exchange rate, that for the price I pay for my room, I would better have sponsored the college expenses for all the kids of ten villages in the Philippines. Too late, I already gave my credit card.

I spend the all night to re-configurate my luggage, as I have a tendency to over-pack my carry-on luggage (over 32 kg, with my Meg). The worst time of my flights is when I have to smile while putting my hand luggage in the overhead compartment in front flight attendants always surprised to see the all plane tilting on one side.

I wake up rather confident in the future, as it’s the 14th of July, the national day in France. Unfortunately the weather doesn’t care and it’s still raining in Manilla and some streets are flooded when I try to find a hardware store open at 7 o’clock in the morning. I just forgot to adjust my clock.
Time to take the ferry to Cebu and meet Bruce who is over there since two days to solve some logistical problems and enjoy the nightlife. Pim should also arrive tomorrow. I board on the ferry at 4:00PM and start waiting. As the 6 millions of people packed on the ferry, I’ll have to wait till 9:00PM before the boat captain finds his keys and starts the engine. The meal is cold; people are angry and hang around every single part of the boat; passengers come from everywhere, speak every language on Earth and elsewhere; the ship looks like a scene in Star Wars. And the toilets already smell like the subway in Paris. The trip to Cebu is supposed to last 22 hours (it will take 38 hours!). Interesting journey on this floating wreck! I should maybe start to set up my rebreather in case of emergency.

In the middle of the night, a strange wake-up call. On of the stewards explains that the air-con system is gone crazy and the temperature is dropping to a chilly 10C in the cabin. Most of the passengers have the feeling that the boat is lost nearby the South Pole now. I don't care as my dry suit undergarment, a Thinsulate 200gr, makes a perfect pyjama for sub-zero environment.

After a disgusting breakfast made of cold corned beef and rice that reminds me my time in the Navy, a boring day onboard starts. The opportunity to maintain my regulators and adjust some minor details in my equipment. Better than watching stupid TV shows in Tagalok or participating in the so popular Karaoke!
The boat crew is curious and helpful, so I can use some of their tools and drill new holes in my back-plate.

2nd Phase: Preparing the dives...
July 16th and 17th 2006

Arriving in Cebu at 3 o'clock in the morning is clearly not the most exciting experience in my life, but it's even worse when you have to wait 3 more hours to be able to embark in the next ferry to Ormoc. That's where I finally meet Bruce and Pim who just wake up from a nice night slleping in a comfortable hotel room. More luggage and more porters to carry them.
We finaly arrive in Ormoc two hours later where Rob Lalumiere is waiting for us. this american citizen living in the Philippines since a few years. Diving being his hobby, a hobby he is the only one to have in the area, he spent a lot of money to have the proper logistics to explore the thirty deep wrecks disseminated in Ormoc bay. Amongst then the USS Cooper where he made his record dive at 198m.
Rob is an extremely friendly guy with a lot of stories to share and a very convenient boat, all adapted to his needs as a technical diver. We have Oxygen, Helium, Air compressor, depth sounder, etc. Everything we need to dive the HIJMS Yamashiro and Fuso, South Leyte.

We just need a few minutes to cover the complete boat with the content of our bags: rebreathers, bail-out rebreathers, OC regulators, dry suits, Sofnolime, etc. The once-a-nice-boat now looks like a flea market. The weather is nice and the sea calm.

After a breakfast more than welcome, we decide to pump the tanks. So we start hooking up the whip and the compressor and within 5 minutes, the sea and the rain start peaking up. Great.
We'll spend more than four hours to prepare all the tanks and equipment, most of the time under a constant rain, with the boat bouncing up and down close to the pier.
A fantastic dinner and a nice sleep easily clear up all the problems from the last few days.

Time to go to Hinendayan, South Leyte, a few miles from where both battleships sank in 1944. for our comfort, Rob has decided to go on his boat early in the morning (a long 12 hour trip) and we only leave by car at noon to join him later (only a 3 hour trip!). On the way, we stop to buy more buoys and ropes to build the decompression station. We also shop around to find some nice magazines and drinks to keep us busy and hydrated during the very long decompression stops.
3 hours to discuss again about the dive plans, the emergency procedures and the way to make the long deco in a strong current as fast and safe as possible.

Mixaddict · 17th July 2006, 01:59

Great report Cedric. Keep them comming!

sven · 17th July 2006, 02:07

Good luck guys! May the force be with you :-)

abowie · 17th July 2006, 02:20

Good luck guys.

rogeringebo · 17th July 2006, 04:32

Good old south-east asia....

Great report!
Really looking forward to the next one.....
/Rodge

Drmike · 17th July 2006, 04:38

Hey Cedric,

Im jealous that I couldnt make it this time - see I do work sometimes

After a weeks delay Fedex finally decided to deliver my upgraded electronics, so Im back in action again.

If you can drop me a mail regarding timing Ill try to meet you guys at Johans.

Dive safe buddy

Cheers
Mike

tecdivertraining · 17th July 2006, 07:04

hi guys

Glad you all got there safe in the end. Having read your first few days Cedric I'm kinda glad I stayed in phuket with the wife I would have probably flown straight back to Phuket for all me creature comforts.

Also glad to see my inspiration got thier safe make sure Bruce takes are of it

Dive safe and I look forward to following the reports, keep em coming.

Drmike · 19th July 2006, 14:03

Excellant news!

Today Im happy to report Cedric suceeded in diving the Yamashiro!

Using his Meg and DDD bail out rebreather he reached a depth of 180m and carried out 6 hours of deco whilst being subjected to very strong currents.

Well done that man!

Tomorrow is Bruce (YBOD+HH) and Pims (Boris) turn on her so I wish them the same luck.

jhaaja · 19th July 2006, 14:08

OK! That has been one hell of a dive!
Hope we get to read a full report as soon as possible!

Gongratulations Cedric and support team!

JH

***Beanie*** · 19th July 2006, 14:08

Fair play

Well done that man we look forward to the report!

17th July 2006, 01:47	#1 (permalink)
cedricverdier S21 M.I.B. Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Worldwide! Posts: 498	Yamashiro Project, a personal diary Hi all, Just to let you know that the Yamashiro project team is now in the Philippines. I post this diary when I can, as the Internet access are seldom and the connection speed very slow. For more details and pictures, have a look at www.cedricverdier.com/yamashiro.html Cheers *1st Phase: Getting there...* July 13th, 14th and 15th 2006 Living in Thailand, the trip to the Philippines should be easy and relaxing, with only a 3-hour fly to Manilla. Unfortunately, things are never as planned. Some delays in the flight, a tropical storm nicely named “Florita” and some very bad sea conditions will make my day more interesting. Arrived in Manilla under strong rain showers, I quickly take the first taxi available to go to the ferry terminal. Howerver it happens that the ferry going to Cebu Island has been cancelled till further notice. There will maybe one tomorrow, weather permitting. That’s a bad start. With 80 kg of diving equipment, I don’t exactly travel “light” and I genuinely rely on the advice of a taxi driver to find a hotel nearby. The only one proposed to me is a decent building in a quiet area but I suddenly realize, after having mentally fought with the exchange rate, that for the price I pay for my room, I would better have sponsored the college expenses for all the kids of ten villages in the Philippines. Too late, I already gave my credit card. I spend the all night to re-configurate my luggage, as I have a tendency to over-pack my carry-on luggage (over 32 kg, with my Meg). The worst time of my flights is when I have to smile while putting my hand luggage in the overhead compartment in front flight attendants always surprised to see the all plane tilting on one side. I wake up rather confident in the future, as it’s the 14th of July, the national day in France. Unfortunately the weather doesn’t care and it’s still raining in Manilla and some streets are flooded when I try to find a hardware store open at 7 o’clock in the morning. I just forgot to adjust my clock. Time to take the ferry to Cebu and meet Bruce who is over there since two days to solve some logistical problems and enjoy the nightlife. Pim should also arrive tomorrow. I board on the ferry at 4:00PM and start waiting. As the 6 millions of people packed on the ferry, I’ll have to wait till 9:00PM before the boat captain finds his keys and starts the engine. The meal is cold; people are angry and hang around every single part of the boat; passengers come from everywhere, speak every language on Earth and elsewhere; the ship looks like a scene in Star Wars. And the toilets already smell like the subway in Paris. The trip to Cebu is supposed to last 22 hours (it will take 38 hours!). Interesting journey on this floating wreck! I should maybe start to set up my rebreather in case of emergency. In the middle of the night, a strange wake-up call. On of the stewards explains that the air-con system is gone crazy and the temperature is dropping to a chilly 10C in the cabin. Most of the passengers have the feeling that the boat is lost nearby the South Pole now. I don't care as my dry suit undergarment, a Thinsulate 200gr, makes a perfect pyjama for sub-zero environment. After a disgusting breakfast made of cold corned beef and rice that reminds me my time in the Navy, a boring day onboard starts. The opportunity to maintain my regulators and adjust some minor details in my equipment. Better than watching stupid TV shows in Tagalok or participating in the so popular Karaoke! The boat crew is curious and helpful, so I can use some of their tools and drill new holes in my back-plate. *2nd Phase: Preparing the dives...* July 16th and 17th 2006 Arriving in Cebu at 3 o'clock in the morning is clearly not the most exciting experience in my life, but it's even worse when you have to wait 3 more hours to be able to embark in the next ferry to Ormoc. That's where I finally meet Bruce and Pim who just wake up from a nice night slleping in a comfortable hotel room. More luggage and more porters to carry them. We finaly arrive in Ormoc two hours later where Rob Lalumiere is waiting for us. this american citizen living in the Philippines since a few years. Diving being his hobby, a hobby he is the only one to have in the area, he spent a lot of money to have the proper logistics to explore the thirty deep wrecks disseminated in Ormoc bay. Amongst then the USS Cooper where he made his record dive at 198m. Rob is an extremely friendly guy with a lot of stories to share and a very convenient boat, all adapted to his needs as a technical diver. We have Oxygen, Helium, Air compressor, depth sounder, etc. Everything we need to dive the HIJMS Yamashiro and Fuso, South Leyte. We just need a few minutes to cover the complete boat with the content of our bags: rebreathers, bail-out rebreathers, OC regulators, dry suits, Sofnolime, etc. The once-a-nice-boat now looks like a flea market. The weather is nice and the sea calm. After a breakfast more than welcome, we decide to pump the tanks. So we start hooking up the whip and the compressor and within 5 minutes, the sea and the rain start peaking up. Great. We'll spend more than four hours to prepare all the tanks and equipment, most of the time under a constant rain, with the boat bouncing up and down close to the pier. A fantastic dinner and a nice sleep easily clear up all the problems from the last few days. Time to go to Hinendayan, South Leyte, a few miles from where both battleships sank in 1944. for our comfort, Rob has decided to go on his boat early in the morning (a long 12 hour trip) and we only leave by car at noon to join him later (only a 3 hour trip!). On the way, we stop to buy more buoys and ropes to build the decompression station. We also shop around to find some nice magazines and drinks to keep us busy and hydrated during the very long decompression stops. 3 hours to discuss again about the dive plans, the emergency procedures and the way to make the long deco in a strong current as fast and safe as possible. __________________ Cedric Verdier PADI Course Director, ANDI-IANTD-PSAI-TDI-DSAT-DAN-NAUI-CMAS Instructor Trainer Trimix (CCR and OC) and Cave Diving Instructor Trainer www.CedricVerdier.com DIRrebreather member
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17th July 2006, 01:59	#2 (permalink)
Mixaddict RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Draper, Utah USA Posts: 520	Re: Yamashiro Project, a personal diary Great report Cedric. Keep them comming!
(Online)

17th July 2006, 02:07	#3 (permalink)
sven Blogs Admin / Forum Mod Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sydney Posts: 551	Re: Yamashiro Project, a personal diary Good luck guys! May the force be with you :-) __________________ Regards, Sven The Sydney Project website: http://www.sydneyproject.com My Blog: http://sven.rebreatherworld.com "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect." Mark Twain
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17th July 2006, 02:20	#4 (permalink)
abowie Fighting Girl Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Land of Oz Posts: 574	Re: Yamashiro Project, a personal diary Good luck guys. __________________ Andrew Bowie Rebreather-friendly Buddy
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17th July 2006, 04:32	#5 (permalink)
rogeringebo Life starts at 100 Current Rebreather/s: Pelagian Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Pelagian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockholm Sweden Posts: 739	Re: Yamashiro Project, a personal diary Good old south-east asia.... Great report! Really looking forward to the next one..... /Rodge __________________ Life starts at 100
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17th July 2006, 04:38	#6 (permalink)
Drmike RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,378	Re: Yamashiro Project, a personal diary Hey Cedric, Im jealous that I couldnt make it this time - see I do work sometimes After a weeks delay Fedex finally decided to deliver my upgraded electronics, so Im back in action again. If you can drop me a mail regarding timing Ill try to meet you guys at Johans. Dive safe buddy Cheers Mike __________________ Cave diving is a sport Wreck diving is a sport Diving in general is a sport 'Rebreather diving' is not a sport its the delusional obsession with a highly dangerous and often inappropriate piece of equipment
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17th July 2006, 07:04	#7 (permalink)
tecdivertraining EXPLORER Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Ouroboros Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Dolphin Join Date: May 2005 Location: Phuket, Thailand Posts: 531	Re: Yamashiro Project, a personal diary hi guys Glad you all got there safe in the end. Having read your first few days Cedric I'm kinda glad I stayed in phuket with the wife I would have probably flown straight back to Phuket for all me creature comforts. Also glad to see my inspiration got thier safe make sure Bruce takes are of it Dive safe and I look forward to following the reports, keep em coming. __________________ Mathew Partridge Technical Director Pro-Tech Dive College www.protechdivers.com www.tech-ccr.com
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19th July 2006, 14:03	#8 (permalink)
Drmike RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,378	Re: Yamashiro Project, a personal diary Excellant news! Today Im happy to report Cedric suceeded in diving the Yamashiro! Using his Meg and DDD bail out rebreather he reached a depth of 180m and carried out 6 hours of deco whilst being subjected to very strong currents. Well done that man! Tomorrow is Bruce (YBOD+HH) and Pims (Boris) turn on her so I wish them the same luck. __________________ Cave diving is a sport Wreck diving is a sport Diving in general is a sport 'Rebreather diving' is not a sport its the delusional obsession with a highly dangerous and often inappropriate piece of equipment Last edited by Drmike : 19th July 2006 at 14:16.
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19th July 2006, 14:08	#9 (permalink)
jhaaja Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 885	Re: Yamashiro Project, a personal diary OK! That has been one hell of a dive! Hope we get to read a full report as soon as possible! Gongratulations Cedric and support team! JH
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19th July 2006, 14:08	#10 (permalink)
*Beanie* Gallery Administrator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In da house! yeah baby! Posts: 3,311	Re: Yamashiro Project, a personal diary Fair play Well done that man we look forward to the report! __________________ Beanie Gallery Admin & Library Assistant. www.outlawdivers.org.uk www.beandiving.co.uk www.beanengineering.co.uk
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