Oriskany

webhead · 31st October 2006, 05:26

I dove the Oriskany in Aug on a CCR. Did 3 dives - one to tie in, one dive to see the rudder and then all the way around the flight deck edge (scooters rock), thru the hanger deck and then a final dive w/ one of the OC guys to max of 130'. Underwater time was close to 4 hours. Spent at least 90 minutes at 20 feet for deco.

CCRs are the way to go if you decide to go deep. Try to meet up with some of these guys in person. Great way to learn about the gear.

Sue · 31st October 2006, 08:26

I'm planning a day or two in Pensacola to dive the Oriskany, around the 14th and/or 15th November - after DEMA.
Following Bentic and Hchoat advice I'm contacting Florida Dive Pros.
We'll be bringing our Megs.

Anybody want to join us?

Sue

Homem do Leme · 31st October 2006, 09:16

Sue rules...

Photos, i want photos in Planeta SFF.

***sadave*** · 31st October 2006, 11:43

All this talk of hooking in, etc etc etc...

Your telling me that there aren't moorings on it?

We've now got 4 prepared ex Navy vessels as dive wrecks here in oz, with another one next year, and another the year after, they all have multi-tonne blocks of concrete on the seabed right next to them, with mooring buoys. There are lines running from about the 5-10 meter (note the REAL numbers! :-p) mark, to the top of the deck, or somewhere in about 10-15m, from each buoy. The two I've dived (ex-HMAS Hobart and ex-HMAS Brisbane, both Charles F Adams class DDG's) have over 6 moorings on each. Anchoring is banned. There are moorings dedicated to the commercial vessels, as well as moorings for private / club boats...

The government has paid that much money to put the wreck there, we have to pay to dive it, why wouldn't you expect them to put the moorings on it?

hchoat · 31st October 2006, 12:17

Quote: (Originally Posted by sadave)

All this talk of hooking in, etc etc etc...

Your telling me that there aren't moorings on it?

We've now got 4 prepared ex Navy vessels as dive wrecks here in oz, with another one next year, and another the year after, they all have multi-tonne blocks of concrete on the seabed right next to them, with mooring buoys. There are lines running from about the 5-10 meter (note the REAL numbers! :-p) mark, to the top of the deck, or somewhere in about 10-15m, from each buoy. The two I've dived (ex-HMAS Hobart and ex-HMAS Brisbane, both Charles F Adams class DDG's) have over 6 moorings on each. Anchoring is banned. There are moorings dedicated to the commercial vessels, as well as moorings for private / club boats...

The government has paid that much money to put the wreck there, we have to pay to dive it, why wouldn't you expect them to put the moorings on it?

Dave,

There are no public moorings on the Oriskany. A few enterprising charter ops have installed their own, but none are publicly maintained. The reason for this is that the local government (Escambia County) would be required not only to install, but to maintain the moorings. There is no budget for this, and the artificial reef committee was concerned about liability as well. FWIW, there are lots of artificial reefs in this area, and none of the others have moorings either. It isn't an environmental issue here, as we have a white sand bottom, so there is no coral to harm when dropping an anchor.

H

Genesis · 31st October 2006, 13:11

There's another problem with moorings around here as well - there's a substantial body of fishermen in this area that do not like divers, including some that have been known to "fish for diver" with jigs and such - they would almost certainly cut the moorings intentionally if they were on the surface, and there would be plenty of incidents with people "accidentally" snagging them, etc.

As Heather noted, its not a big deal to either grapple the structure or drop an anchor, although dropping a hook on the "O" intended to hook the bottom would not be my preferred option - if it fouls on the wreck you need to be prepared to go to the sand to clear it or cut it away.

webhead · 1st November 2006, 04:19

Guess the flight deck was too far for someone to go... in Aug, there was a nice shiny anchor, probably for a 20-24 foot boat, sitting on the edge of the flight deck... can't honestly remember if it was the bow or stern. Seen so many anchors and chains on deep wrecks that I'll never have to buy another one again. Now if I can find me a nice rod and reel......

Another thing that worried me before I found out there was underwater moorings... what happens when the next boat shows up and tried to anchor on the stern or side thinking no one is there.... being too deep. I'd be pretty unhappy to have an anchor hit me while I'm practicing my approaches to the flight deck.

Bummer about the fishermen. Hate it when people don't play nice in the underwater sandbox. I've had a few trips on my boat where fishing boats were drifting too close to my boat w/ the dive flag up (and divers in the water). So I just pulled out the camera and took a few pictures of them and they took off.

What was really weird is that there was no boat name nor any reg #'s on the side. Boat looked like some of these big charter boats and I don't think I've seen #'s on them either. Should be a law that you have to display some identifying marks on your boat - name and port or at least reg #'s.

Getting off topic... sorry. Safe diving.

PPA · 4th November 2006, 09:51

Hi

I intend to dive the Oriskany on the 14 or 15 November ( after Dema). What water temperature should i expect. Should i wear a dry or wet suit.?
Cheers
Pedro

Genesis · 4th November 2006, 13:36

What do you consider "cold"?

Water temperature is likely to be in the mid to low 70s on the surface, and it may be considerably colder at depth - depending on how deep you intend to go.

The boat ride out and back may be VERY cold, depending on the WX. Right now its in the low 40s overnight here!

I'd dive dry.

PPA · 4th November 2006, 14:29

Thanks
I will dive dry for sure.
Cheers
Pedro

31st October 2006, 05:26	#21 (permalink)
webhead Earning the green stuff.. Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: East central Florida Posts: 284	Re: Oriskany I dove the Oriskany in Aug on a CCR. Did 3 dives - one to tie in, one dive to see the rudder and then all the way around the flight deck edge (scooters rock), thru the hanger deck and then a final dive w/ one of the OC guys to max of 130'. Underwater time was close to 4 hours. Spent at least 90 minutes at 20 feet for deco. CCRs are the way to go if you decide to go deep. Try to meet up with some of these guys in person. Great way to learn about the gear. __________________ "These are not the droids you are looking for.... move along" - Obi-Wan Kenobi
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31st October 2006, 08:26	#22 (permalink)
Sue Rebreather World Writer Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portugal Posts: 161	Re: Oriskany I'm planning a day or two in Pensacola to dive the Oriskany, around the 14th and/or 15th November - after DEMA. Following Bentic and Hchoat advice I'm contacting Florida Dive Pros. We'll be bringing our Megs. Anybody want to join us? Sue __________________ planetad'agua @ http://www.planeta-sub.com The Portuguese Diving Magazine
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31st October 2006, 09:16	#23 (permalink)
Homem do Leme New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Porto - Portugal Posts: 14	Re: Oriskany Sue rules... Photos, i want photos in Planeta SFF. __________________ Melhores cumprimentos / Best regards / Cordiales saludos / Cordiales salutations / Mit freundlichen Grüßen Rui Caravelas www.mergulhomania.com DIR - Diving Inspiration Rebreather
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31st October 2006, 11:43	#24 (permalink)
*sadave* Couldn't be bothered... Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Classic Kiss Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Brisbane, Queensland Posts: 1,052	Re: Oriskany All this talk of hooking in, etc etc etc... Your telling me that there aren't moorings on it? We've now got 4 prepared ex Navy vessels as dive wrecks here in oz, with another one next year, and another the year after, they all have multi-tonne blocks of concrete on the seabed right next to them, with mooring buoys. There are lines running from about the 5-10 meter (note the REAL numbers! :-p) mark, to the top of the deck, or somewhere in about 10-15m, from each buoy. The two I've dived (ex-HMAS Hobart and ex-HMAS Brisbane, both Charles F Adams class DDG's) have over 6 moorings on each. Anchoring is banned. There are moorings dedicated to the commercial vessels, as well as moorings for private / club boats... The government has paid that much money to put the wreck there, we have to pay to dive it, why wouldn't you expect them to put the moorings on it? __________________ Wave!
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31st October 2006, 12:17	#25 (permalink)
hchoat Resident Selkie Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL- USA Posts: 227	Re: Oriskany Quote: (Originally Posted by sadave) All this talk of hooking in, etc etc etc... Your telling me that there aren't moorings on it? We've now got 4 prepared ex Navy vessels as dive wrecks here in oz, with another one next year, and another the year after, they all have multi-tonne blocks of concrete on the seabed right next to them, with mooring buoys. There are lines running from about the 5-10 meter (note the REAL numbers! :-p) mark, to the top of the deck, or somewhere in about 10-15m, from each buoy. The two I've dived (ex-HMAS Hobart and ex-HMAS Brisbane, both Charles F Adams class DDG's) have over 6 moorings on each. Anchoring is banned. There are moorings dedicated to the commercial vessels, as well as moorings for private / club boats... The government has paid that much money to put the wreck there, we have to pay to dive it, why wouldn't you expect them to put the moorings on it? Dave, There are no public moorings on the Oriskany. A few enterprising charter ops have installed their own, but none are publicly maintained. The reason for this is that the local government (Escambia County) would be required not only to install, but to maintain the moorings. There is no budget for this, and the artificial reef committee was concerned about liability as well. FWIW, there are lots of artificial reefs in this area, and none of the others have moorings either. It isn't an environmental issue here, as we have a white sand bottom, so there is no coral to harm when dropping an anchor. H __________________ Duct tape is like the force... it has a light side and dark side, and it holds the universe together.
(Online)

31st October 2006, 13:11	#26 (permalink)
Genesis Bubbless Box of Death Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 1,396	Re: Oriskany There's another problem with moorings around here as well - there's a substantial body of fishermen in this area that do not like divers, including some that have been known to "fish for diver" with jigs and such - they would almost certainly cut the moorings intentionally if they were on the surface, and there would be plenty of incidents with people "accidentally" snagging them, etc. As Heather noted, its not a big deal to either grapple the structure or drop an anchor, although dropping a hook on the "O" intended to hook the bottom would not be my preferred option - if it fouls on the wreck you need to be prepared to go to the sand to clear it or cut it away. __________________ "A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American." http://www.denninger.net http://www.diversunion.org/liability.htm - Fix the Diving Cert racket
(Offline)

1st November 2006, 04:19	#27 (permalink)
webhead Earning the green stuff.. Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: East central Florida Posts: 284	Re: Oriskany Guess the flight deck was too far for someone to go... in Aug, there was a nice shiny anchor, probably for a 20-24 foot boat, sitting on the edge of the flight deck... can't honestly remember if it was the bow or stern. Seen so many anchors and chains on deep wrecks that I'll never have to buy another one again. Now if I can find me a nice rod and reel...... Another thing that worried me before I found out there was underwater moorings... what happens when the next boat shows up and tried to anchor on the stern or side thinking no one is there.... being too deep. I'd be pretty unhappy to have an anchor hit me while I'm practicing my approaches to the flight deck. Bummer about the fishermen. Hate it when people don't play nice in the underwater sandbox. I've had a few trips on my boat where fishing boats were drifting too close to my boat w/ the dive flag up (and divers in the water). So I just pulled out the camera and took a few pictures of them and they took off. What was really weird is that there was no boat name nor any reg #'s on the side. Boat looked like some of these big charter boats and I don't think I've seen #'s on them either. Should be a law that you have to display some identifying marks on your boat - name and port or at least reg #'s. Getting off topic... sorry. Safe diving. __________________ "These are not the droids you are looking for.... move along" - Obi-Wan Kenobi
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4th November 2006, 09:51	#28 (permalink)
PPA New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: portugal Posts: 55	Re: Oriskany Hi I intend to dive the Oriskany on the 14 or 15 November ( after Dema). What water temperature should i expect. Should i wear a dry or wet suit.? Cheers Pedro
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4th November 2006, 13:36	#29 (permalink)
Genesis Bubbless Box of Death Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 1,396	Re: Oriskany What do you consider "cold"? Water temperature is likely to be in the mid to low 70s on the surface, and it may be considerably colder at depth - depending on how deep you intend to go. The boat ride out and back may be VERY cold, depending on the WX. Right now its in the low 40s overnight here! I'd dive dry. __________________ "A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American." http://www.denninger.net http://www.diversunion.org/liability.htm - Fix the Diving Cert racket
(Offline)

4th November 2006, 14:29	#30 (permalink)
PPA New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: portugal Posts: 55	Re: Oriskany Thanks I will dive dry for sure. Cheers Pedro
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