U853 aboard M/V Explorer

OceanOpportunity · 3rd June 2007, 18:56

Hey all,

Just returned home from a trip out to the 853 in RI waters aboard the M/V Explorer captained by Dave Sutton. Trip report is that dive conditions were excellent, very low party traffic from other charter vessels. What we believe were porbeagle sharks were spotted circling the wreck.

M/V Explorer goes A++ in my book...great capt and crew, good, knowledgable divers on board with a wealth of professional experience in diving, and lots of rebreather chit chat....got a close up tour of the rEvo courtesy Dave Sutton. Being a native Rhode Islander, I can't help but hype up what we have out here...underexplored resource! Come out and say hello!

Mike

**Dave Sutton** · 4th June 2007, 01:21

Thanks for the complement. We had a great weekend. Vis was 20-30 feet, flat ocean, and great conditions. We had several Porbeagle sharks joining us on descent and ascent yesterday, and they were spotted again on the wreck today. The pair Jay and I saw yesterday I estimate at 6-ish feet. Had a school of bluefin tuna jumping around the boat on the way back today. Just a magic time.

Had no less that 5 Rebreather World members aboard this weekend including Kevin Ward (Fireman) who flew in from Chicago to dive his mCCR Russian AKA-60. He bunked aboard EXPLORER for 4 days and we're sitting in the salon as I write this. Karl (Offgas) had his Meg aboard, Jay Harding (Sport Kiss and Homebuilt diver) and Keith (Azimuth diver) aboard as Mates, etc. Just a perfect weekend, so thanks for joining us.

Best,

Dave

**fireman** · 5th June 2007, 01:05

Just got back from RI diving on the Explorer. Excellent time. Very easy to get to although I did get clipped by SouthWest for over weight charges. Short civilized drive to and from the marina. Stayed on the boat very nice. The boat ride was relatively short and scenic both days, and the company was diverse and interesting.
The wreck itself is a must see. I could spend all summer diving this wreck. It was quite challenging for me, but not overwhelming. I did two dives of about 30 and 40 min bottom time at about 127ft max depth.
It was great to have my rig a CCR converted aka60 get a passing grade from the master of the Dive Shop of Horrors...Great place great people great diving. Special thanks to Jay and Kieth, Dave's mates on the Explorer.

Offgas · 6th June 2007, 18:40

What a great way to experience NE wreck diving for the first time! Dave has a really stellar boat w/ a great crew. I thoroughly enjoyed the diving and company. It's nice to be aboard a boat with a sea-worthy group and divers who know rebreathers. Speaking of which, I had the opportunity to see the rEVO up close and all I can say is Congratulations Paul. I have rarely seen a piece of kit so completely well designed, and though I love my meg and won't be parting with her any time soon, I will likewise be keeping a sharp eye on the rEVO. I was very impressed with it's streamline form and intrigued by the scrubber (and the back mounted counter lungs made me the tinsiest bit envious). I'd hope there is a US Course/Instructor soon. I expect it to do very well stateside.

I'd like to personally thank Dave for be such a gracious host and keeping things square and on time!

I believe Dave has some pictures to post...

Best,
Offgas

**Dave Sutton** · 6th June 2007, 21:20

Thanks Karl. We did have a great weekend. The rogues gallery photo is Saturdays non-bubbler gang: Unfortunately we never got the camera out Sun, so Mike is not shown. Left to right: Jay Harding (who is a homebuilder and now a Sport Kiss diver), Kevin Ward ("Fireman", who dives his KISS modified Russian AKA-60), Keith (who dives an Azimuth that we're doing a KISS conversion on), and Karl with his Meg. We had 4 open circuit divers aboard also (Renee, Tim, Dana, and Reik) as well as other non-diving guests. Just a nice mix of friends. Mike (Oceanopportunity), who dives a modified Dolphin (under construction at present) and who is a former CCR-2000 diver joined us Sunday.

Photo is Kevin and Karl just getting ready to gear-up. Note that my crew tends each Rebreather diver. One mate to each diver. RB Valet-Service Deluxe! I stand on the bridge and shout encouragement...

Best,

Dave

Offgas · 6th June 2007, 22:18

Offgas (Carl) has never dived a modified dolphin or CCR 2000, but I think OceansOpportunity (Mike) has!

Offgas

**Dave Sutton** · 6th June 2007, 22:40

Quote: (Originally Posted by Offgas)

Offgas (Carl) has never dived a modified dolphin or CCR 2000, but I think OceansOpportunity (Mike) has!

Offgas

Ahhh... crap. You're right. I'll edit the post. Too many screen names...

Have to put in the obligatory rEvo photo. I think that everyone aboard saw that it's about as much work to dive as a twinset. Just a pleasure in every way. Yes I had hair "once upon a time..."

Dave

diverklondike · 6th June 2007, 23:23

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton)

Have to put in the obligatory rEvo photo. I think that everyone aboard saw that it's about as much work to dive as a twinset. Just a pleasure in every way. Yes I had hair "once upon a time..."

Dave

Sorry Dave but the this was to easy a target....

A twin set is so much more work since you always have to worry about what's in the tanks....

A couple cubic feet of O2 and some 10/52 or what every your Dil flavor is soooooooo much more flexible and easy to deal with....

Glad everyone had fun!

Dive Safe...

Mark

3rd June 2007, 18:56	#1 (permalink)
OceanOpportunity for a world of water Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Providence, RI USA Posts: 544	U853 aboard M/V Explorer Hey all, Just returned home from a trip out to the 853 in RI waters aboard the M/V Explorer captained by Dave Sutton. Trip report is that dive conditions were excellent, very low party traffic from other charter vessels. What we believe were porbeagle sharks were spotted circling the wreck. M/V Explorer goes A++ in my book...great capt and crew, good, knowledgable divers on board with a wealth of professional experience in diving, and lots of rebreather chit chat....got a close up tour of the rEvo courtesy Dave Sutton. Being a native Rhode Islander, I can't help but hype up what we have out here...underexplored resource! Come out and say hello! Mike __________________ Michael Lombardi Oceans of Opportunity www.oceanopportunity.com Elected Director, Society for Human Performance in Extreme Environments MN'07, The Explorers Club Project Manager, Diving a Dream
(Online)

4th June 2007, 01:21	#2 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Diveshop of Horrors Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island and Hackettstown, New Jersey Posts: 2,672	Re: U853 aboard M/V Explorer Thanks for the complement. We had a great weekend. Vis was 20-30 feet, flat ocean, and great conditions. We had several Porbeagle sharks joining us on descent and ascent yesterday, and they were spotted again on the wreck today. The pair Jay and I saw yesterday I estimate at 6-ish feet. Had a school of bluefin tuna jumping around the boat on the way back today. Just a magic time. Had no less that 5 Rebreather World members aboard this weekend including Kevin Ward (Fireman) who flew in from Chicago to dive his mCCR Russian AKA-60. He bunked aboard EXPLORER for 4 days and we're sitting in the salon as I write this. Karl (Offgas) had his Meg aboard, Jay Harding (Sport Kiss and Homebuilt diver) and Keith (Azimuth diver) aboard as Mates, etc. Just a perfect weekend, so thanks for joining us. Best, Dave __________________ "Changes in Lattitudes, Changes in Attitudes, Nothing remains quite the same".... www.nobubblediving.com Last edited by Dave Sutton : 4th June 2007 at 13:35.
(Online)

5th June 2007, 01:05	#3 (permalink)
fireman rEvo combat swimmer Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: chicago Posts: 518	Re: U853 aboard M/V Explorer Just got back from RI diving on the Explorer. Excellent time. Very easy to get to although I did get clipped by SouthWest for over weight charges. Short civilized drive to and from the marina. Stayed on the boat very nice. The boat ride was relatively short and scenic both days, and the company was diverse and interesting. The wreck itself is a must see. I could spend all summer diving this wreck. It was quite challenging for me, but not overwhelming. I did two dives of about 30 and 40 min bottom time at about 127ft max depth. It was great to have my rig a CCR converted aka60 get a passing grade from the master of the Dive Shop of Horrors...Great place great people great diving. Special thanks to Jay and Kieth, Dave's mates on the Explorer. __________________ Heres to you Capt. Bill Never Forget, and stay safe everyone.
(Offline)

6th June 2007, 18:40	#4 (permalink)
Offgas New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 90	Re: U853 aboard M/V Explorer What a great way to experience NE wreck diving for the first time! Dave has a really stellar boat w/ a great crew. I thoroughly enjoyed the diving and company. It's nice to be aboard a boat with a sea-worthy group and divers who know rebreathers. Speaking of which, I had the opportunity to see the rEVO up close and all I can say is Congratulations Paul. I have rarely seen a piece of kit so completely well designed, and though I love my meg and won't be parting with her any time soon, I will likewise be keeping a sharp eye on the rEVO. I was very impressed with it's streamline form and intrigued by the scrubber (and the back mounted counter lungs made me the tinsiest bit envious). I'd hope there is a US Course/Instructor soon. I expect it to do very well stateside. I'd like to personally thank Dave for be such a gracious host and keeping things square and on time! I believe Dave has some pictures to post... Best, Offgas
(Offline)

6th June 2007, 22:18	#6 (permalink)
Offgas New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 90	Re: U853 aboard M/V Explorer Offgas (Carl) has never dived a modified dolphin or CCR 2000, but I think OceansOpportunity (Mike) has! Offgas
(Offline)

6th June 2007, 23:23	#8 (permalink)
diverklondike Just one of the Peasants Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Delaware, USA Posts: 1,613	Re: U853 aboard M/V Explorer Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton) Have to put in the obligatory rEvo photo. I think that everyone aboard saw that it's about as much work to dive as a twinset. Just a pleasure in every way. Yes I had hair "once upon a time..." Dave Sorry Dave but the this was to easy a target.... A twin set is so much more work since you always have to worry about what's in the tanks.... A couple cubic feet of O2 and some 10/52 or what every your Dil flavor is soooooooo much more flexible and easy to deal with.... Glad everyone had fun! Dive Safe... Mark
(Offline)

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