2006 BRITANNIC expedition

barney · 30th September 2006, 13:30

An international team of divers recently concluded this year's memorable expedition to the White Star Olympic Class liner HMHS BRITANNIC, sistership of the RMS TITANIC.
It was a great experience diving with old friends and meeting many new ones as well. Due to a wide variety of issues, we only got in three days of diving, with an additional day to set the mooring. For those that have aspirations to dive this remarkable wreck, an article will be appearing in Wreck Diving Magazine discussing the various events; it should prove to be a VERY interesting piece. Hopefully, two History Channel documentaries will also appear in the future featuring the HD footage captured on the wreck.
Prior to the trip, a BRITANNIC veteran told me this wreck will ruin me forever for diving. Having done two dives on the wreck, I fear he may be correct. The BRITANNIC truely is breathtaking and nothing really compares -- nothing.
I have added a slideshow of various images taken during the expedition (sorry no underwater images) to the AUE website on the trip reports section.
Enjoy!
Cheers,
Mike

Nad · 30th September 2006, 21:20

Quote: (Originally Posted by barney)

An international team of divers recently concluded this year's memorable expedition to the White Star Olympic Class liner HMHS BRITANNIC, sistership of the RMS TITANIC.
It was a great experience diving with old friends and meeting many new ones as well. Due to a wide variety of issues, we only got in three days of diving, with an additional day to set the mooring. For those that have aspirations to dive this remarkable wreck, an article will be appearing in Wreck Diving Magazine discussing the various events; it should prove to be a VERY interesting piece. Hopefully, two History Channel documentaries will also appear in the future featuring the HD footage captured on the wreck.
Prior to the trip, a BRITANNIC veteran told me this wreck will ruin me forever for diving. Having done two dives on the wreck, I fear he may be correct. The BRITANNIC truely is breathtaking and nothing really compares -- nothing.
I have added a slideshow of various images taken during the expedition (sorry no underwater images) to the AUE website on the trip reports section.
Enjoy!
Cheers,
Mike

Yo lucky man...
Very nice the slideshow.
I had a call with a friend of mine during the expedition (Edoardo) and he did tell me where he was at this moment...

Well done guys.

Nad

Mixaddict · 30th September 2006, 22:50

Great slide show. I look forward to watching the History Channel shows.

aquaxel · 1st October 2006, 05:45

i heared rumors that history channel was using a new 3d uw-camera on this expedition. do u have any details about it?

GKAM · 1st October 2006, 05:52

Is anyone going to publish more details online? Word has it that you were hit by bad weather and also had severe logistics issues. Thee days of diving is a poor score for a two week expedition.

I did hear that there were problems with the DPVs and cameras. In fact, my buddy here in Athens got a call from one of your team asking for SS batteries and DPVs for hire...

***jradomski*** · 1st October 2006, 06:18

Quote: (Originally Posted by barney)

An international team of divers recently concluded this year's memorable expedition to the White Star Olympic Class liner HMHS BRITANNIC, sistership of the RMS TITANIC.
It was a great experience diving with old friends and meeting many new ones as well. Due to a wide variety of issues, we only got in three days of diving, with an additional day to set the mooring. For those that have aspirations to dive this remarkable wreck, an article will be appearing in Wreck Diving Magazine discussing the various events; it should prove to be a VERY interesting piece. Hopefully, two History Channel documentaries will also appear in the future featuring the HD footage captured on the wreck.
Prior to the trip, a BRITANNIC veteran told me this wreck will ruin me forever for diving. Having done two dives on the wreck, I fear he may be correct. The BRITANNIC truely is breathtaking and nothing really compares -- nothing.
I have added a slideshow of various images taken during the expedition (sorry no underwater images) to the AUE website on the trip reports section.
Enjoy!
Cheers,
Mike

Mike,
Sorry you had so much troubles... The logistics and potential weather issues is what caused a group I was supposed to go with to postpone our expedition until the spring.. Originally it was supposed to be first and second week of september, then there was a problem and it was going to be delayed slightly, then other things were comming in... It would have been interesting if both groups ended up on the wreck at the same time...

barney · 1st October 2006, 13:14

Quote: (Originally Posted by aquaxel)

i heared rumors that history channel was using a new 3d uw-camera on this expedition. do u have any details about it?

Yes, there was a stereoscopic HD camera array that would be able to present the images in 3D. It was tethered with fiber optic cable, so it required extra work to deploy and tend. It also had 6 HID light arms on it. There is a pic of it in the slideshow.
We also had 400 watt HMIs that would have been awesome. Unfortunately, due to timing and mooring issues, we were not able to use some of the toys (e.g., ROV).

barney · 1st October 2006, 13:27

Quote: (Originally Posted by GKAM)

Is anyone going to publish more details online? Word has it that you were hit by bad weather and also had severe logistics issues. Thee days of diving is a poor score for a two week expedition.

I did hear that there were problems with the DPVs and cameras. In fact, my buddy here in Athens got a call from one of your team asking for SS batteries and DPVs for hire...

I believe Joe Porter of WRECK DIVING MAGAZINE will be publishing an expose on the trip. It will be a very interesting read.

Yes, aside from bad weather, planning and preparation caused several issues. FWIW, the DPV issue was due to several being shipped by the production company without batteries to save on shipping, thinking they could be picked up locally

Also, we lost half the team at the end of the trip (when we had great weather) due to a plague of gastro-enteritis; people were dropping like flies.

Then there were the "government" issues. I won't elaborate further, as I think Joe will cover all of that. Plus, I don't think you would believe me if I told you about some of the events! For anyone interested in diving this wreck, I suggest you pick up an issue when it is available. It will be an eye-opener.
Suffice it to say, some of the BRITANNIC veterans have written off Greece completely.

The bottom line is diving the wreck is the easiest aspect of the whole trip. Setting it up and wading through all the BS and arbitrary bureacratic whims is like walking thru a minefield though. If you still are motivated to dive the wreck, bring the KY...

barney · 1st October 2006, 13:41

Quote: (Originally Posted by GKAM)

Thee days of diving is a poor score for a two week expedition.

I agree. But you can't quickly get what you need in that part of the world. Our gas delivery was late, and the people we talked to just did not recognize the urgency. I don't think anyone understands the word "professionalism" over there...

I will say to anyone and everyone do not use Kostas of the GREEK DIVING CENTER to set up any aspect of your trip. Or do any business with him whatsoever! He screwed us bad, resulting in several lost days at the beginning of the trip. He provided 22 AL80s we were to use as bailout bottles. These looked like vintage WWII surplus, the most recent hydro was '92. When I knocked out the valves (on the ones I could) there was so much grease, gunk, sand (!), and other miscellaneous gunk in them there was no way we could use them. I have NEVER seen tanks in such a sad and dangerous condition! Kostas himself bent a large wrench on a valve that was seized; he never got it off. Later, because we were in a pinch, we used three of the better tanks that we cleaned. After filling, one of them was leaking from the neck. Not the o-ring, but thru the ****ing metal!! Not cool. Offering dive gear in that sorry state is criminal in my opinion. Two compressors he supplied also did not work, losing more time for us.

Richie Kohler · 13th October 2006, 21:06

The logistics, were to say the least, a nightmare. If I had any hair, I wouldve pulled it out. That being said I cannot wait to go back, with a BRITISH or ITALIAN boat and ERQUIPMENT. Having made dives on Titanic, and now Britannic, I think the lessor known sister is the real Bell of the Ball. One the of the BEST dives I have ever had was with Barney, on the Britannic! If your a wrecker, you HAVE to see this with your own eyes. FYI your first deco stop almost still on the wreck , and you can see the wreck from 200 ft! AWESOME

30th September 2006, 13:30	#1 (permalink)
barney EXPLORER Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 294	2006 BRITANNIC expedition An international team of divers recently concluded this year's memorable expedition to the White Star Olympic Class liner HMHS BRITANNIC, sistership of the RMS TITANIC. It was a great experience diving with old friends and meeting many new ones as well. Due to a wide variety of issues, we only got in three days of diving, with an additional day to set the mooring. For those that have aspirations to dive this remarkable wreck, an article will be appearing in Wreck Diving Magazine discussing the various events; it should prove to be a VERY interesting piece. Hopefully, two History Channel documentaries will also appear in the future featuring the HD footage captured on the wreck. Prior to the trip, a BRITANNIC veteran told me this wreck will ruin me forever for diving. Having done two dives on the wreck, I fear he may be correct. The BRITANNIC truely is breathtaking and nothing really compares -- nothing. I have added a slideshow of various images taken during the expedition (sorry no underwater images) to the AUE website on the trip reports section. Enjoy! Cheers, Mike __________________ Michael C. Barnette ASSOCIATION OF UNDERWATER EXPLORERS
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30th September 2006, 21:20	#2 (permalink)
Nad Rebel to the Bone Current Rebreather/s: Ouroboros Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Europe Posts: 1,014	Re: 2006 BRITANNIC expedition Quote: (Originally Posted by barney) An international team of divers recently concluded this year's memorable expedition to the White Star Olympic Class liner HMHS BRITANNIC, sistership of the RMS TITANIC. It was a great experience diving with old friends and meeting many new ones as well. Due to a wide variety of issues, we only got in three days of diving, with an additional day to set the mooring. For those that have aspirations to dive this remarkable wreck, an article will be appearing in Wreck Diving Magazine discussing the various events; it should prove to be a VERY interesting piece. Hopefully, two History Channel documentaries will also appear in the future featuring the HD footage captured on the wreck. Prior to the trip, a BRITANNIC veteran told me this wreck will ruin me forever for diving. Having done two dives on the wreck, I fear he may be correct. The BRITANNIC truely is breathtaking and nothing really compares -- nothing. I have added a slideshow of various images taken during the expedition (sorry no underwater images) to the AUE website on the trip reports section. Enjoy! Cheers, Mike Yo lucky man... Very nice the slideshow. I had a call with a friend of mine during the expedition (Edoardo) and he did tell me where he was at this moment... Well done guys. Nad __________________ The Impossible is often the Untried
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30th September 2006, 22:50	#3 (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: 2006 BRITANNIC expedition Great slide show. I look forward to watching the History Channel shows. __________________ Randy Thornton (MixAddict) Inspiration, Evolution, Hammerhead & Sentinel CCR Instructor
(Online)

1st October 2006, 05:45	#4 (permalink)
aquaxel aquanaut Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: cyprus Posts: 530	Re: 2006 BRITANNIC expedition i heared rumors that history channel was using a new 3d uw-camera on this expedition. do u have any details about it? __________________ rgds aquaxel www.aquatec-innerspace.com
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1st October 2006, 05:52	#5 (permalink)
GKAM digital nomad Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: May 2005 Location: Greece Posts: 254	Re: 2006 BRITANNIC expedition Is anyone going to publish more details online? Word has it that you were hit by bad weather and also had severe logistics issues. Thee days of diving is a poor score for a two week expedition. I did hear that there were problems with the DPVs and cameras. In fact, my buddy here in Athens got a call from one of your team asking for SS batteries and DPVs for hire... __________________ Stay #
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1st October 2006, 06:18	#6 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 3,113	Re: 2006 BRITANNIC expedition Quote: (Originally Posted by barney) An international team of divers recently concluded this year's memorable expedition to the White Star Olympic Class liner HMHS BRITANNIC, sistership of the RMS TITANIC. It was a great experience diving with old friends and meeting many new ones as well. Due to a wide variety of issues, we only got in three days of diving, with an additional day to set the mooring. For those that have aspirations to dive this remarkable wreck, an article will be appearing in Wreck Diving Magazine discussing the various events; it should prove to be a VERY interesting piece. Hopefully, two History Channel documentaries will also appear in the future featuring the HD footage captured on the wreck. Prior to the trip, a BRITANNIC veteran told me this wreck will ruin me forever for diving. Having done two dives on the wreck, I fear he may be correct. The BRITANNIC truely is breathtaking and nothing really compares -- nothing. I have added a slideshow of various images taken during the expedition (sorry no underwater images) to the AUE website on the trip reports section. Enjoy! Cheers, Mike Mike, Sorry you had so much troubles... The logistics and potential weather issues is what caused a group I was supposed to go with to postpone our expedition until the spring.. Originally it was supposed to be first and second week of september, then there was a problem and it was going to be delayed slightly, then other things were comming in... It would have been interesting if both groups ended up on the wreck at the same time... __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.
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1st October 2006, 13:14	#7 (permalink)
barney EXPLORER Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 294	Re: 2006 BRITANNIC expedition Quote: (Originally Posted by aquaxel) i heared rumors that history channel was using a new 3d uw-camera on this expedition. do u have any details about it? Yes, there was a stereoscopic HD camera array that would be able to present the images in 3D. It was tethered with fiber optic cable, so it required extra work to deploy and tend. It also had 6 HID light arms on it. There is a pic of it in the slideshow. We also had 400 watt HMIs that would have been awesome. Unfortunately, due to timing and mooring issues, we were not able to use some of the toys (e.g., ROV). __________________ Michael C. Barnette ASSOCIATION OF UNDERWATER EXPLORERS
(Offline)

1st October 2006, 13:27	#8 (permalink)
barney EXPLORER Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 294	Re: 2006 BRITANNIC expedition Quote: (Originally Posted by GKAM) Is anyone going to publish more details online? Word has it that you were hit by bad weather and also had severe logistics issues. Thee days of diving is a poor score for a two week expedition. I did hear that there were problems with the DPVs and cameras. In fact, my buddy here in Athens got a call from one of your team asking for SS batteries and DPVs for hire... I believe Joe Porter of WRECK DIVING MAGAZINE will be publishing an expose on the trip. It will be a very interesting read. Yes, aside from bad weather, planning and preparation caused several issues. FWIW, the DPV issue was due to several being shipped by the production company without batteries to save on shipping, thinking they could be picked up locally Also, we lost half the team at the end of the trip (when we had great weather) due to a plague of gastro-enteritis; people were dropping like flies. Then there were the "government" issues. I won't elaborate further, as I think Joe will cover all of that. Plus, I don't think you would believe me if I told you about some of the events! For anyone interested in diving this wreck, I suggest you pick up an issue when it is available. It will be an eye-opener. Suffice it to say, some of the BRITANNIC veterans have written off Greece completely. The bottom line is diving the wreck is the easiest aspect of the whole trip. Setting it up and wading through all the BS and arbitrary bureacratic whims is like walking thru a minefield though. If you still are motivated to dive the wreck, bring the KY... __________________ Michael C. Barnette ASSOCIATION OF UNDERWATER EXPLORERS
(Offline)

1st October 2006, 13:41	#9 (permalink)
barney EXPLORER Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 294	Re: 2006 BRITANNIC expedition Quote: (Originally Posted by GKAM) Thee days of diving is a poor score for a two week expedition. I agree. But you can't quickly get what you need in that part of the world. Our gas delivery was late, and the people we talked to just did not recognize the urgency. I don't think anyone understands the word "professionalism" over there... I will say to anyone and everyone do not use Kostas of the GREEK DIVING CENTER to set up any aspect of your trip. Or do any business with him whatsoever! He screwed us bad, resulting in several lost days at the beginning of the trip. He provided 22 AL80s we were to use as bailout bottles. These looked like vintage WWII surplus, the most recent hydro was '92. When I knocked out the valves (on the ones I could) there was so much grease, gunk, sand (!), and other miscellaneous gunk in them there was no way we could use them. I have NEVER seen tanks in such a sad and dangerous condition! Kostas himself bent a large wrench on a valve that was seized; he never got it off. Later, because we were in a pinch, we used three of the better tanks that we cleaned. After filling, one of them was leaking from the neck. Not the o-ring, but thru the **ing metal!! Not cool. Offering dive gear in that sorry state is criminal in my opinion. Two compressors he supplied also did not work, losing more time for us. __________________ Michael C. Barnette ASSOCIATION OF UNDERWATER EXPLORERS**
(Offline)

13th October 2006, 21:06	#10 (permalink)
Richie Kohler EXPLORER Current Rebreather/s: Evolution MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NJ, USA Posts: 18	Re: 2006 BRITANNIC expedition The logistics, were to say the least, a nightmare. If I had any hair, I wouldve pulled it out. That being said I cannot wait to go back, with a BRITISH or ITALIAN boat and ERQUIPMENT. Having made dives on Titanic, and now Britannic, I think the lessor known sister is the real Bell of the Ball. One the of the BEST dives I have ever had was with Barney, on the Britannic! If your a wrecker, you HAVE to see this with your own eyes. FYI your first deco stop almost still on the wreck , and you can see the wreck from 200 ft! AWESOME __________________ Richie Kohler "It is seldom we meet men, whose souls steeled in the impenetrable armor of resolution, are willing to fight a losing battle to the last..." Lord Jim, Joeseph Conrad, 1900
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