Tech Dives out of Panama City Beach

[RaginCajun]

I tried a search but had no luck.

Does anyone know of or can you recommend any deep "tech" dive spots out of PCB? I'm doing a tech class and was wondering what might be in the ~140 ft ish range out of PCB? I don't have the course syllabus on hand but I think we just need to do a few dives deep enough to earn a ~20 min deco stop with ~20 min @ depth or so. 140 ft should do it. The Oriskany was suggested which would definitely fit the bill.

I seem to remember one or two deep wrecks out of PCB but don't know much more. I think they may have been in the 200 ft range and have heard about the 3-5's some ledges probably closer to 140.

Appreciate any suggestions.

 

[denisegg]

Go for the Oriskany. You won't even make it past the flight deck.

 

[SandyRobinson]

Go for the Oriskany. You won't even make it past the flight deck.

plus 1

 

[Hetland]

are you taking advanced nitrox/decompression procedures?

I think for that class you just have to exceed 100ft.

The Ozark, Antares, Avocet, Oriskany, Tenneco Tower and Chevron Jacket all exceed 130ft. The Ozark is closer to Destin, and a pretty long haul. I'd like to hear if you can get a charter out there, as it's on my "to-dive" list once I get a few more classes under my belt.

In Panama City you have a few choices:

Grey Ghost 110ft
Tug Leroy (aka Samuel Dexter) 120ft
Empire Mica 115ft
USS Strength 140ft

 

[SandyRobinson]

Isn't the Strength only 70 or 80 feet.

 

[RaginCajun]

Yes. It's the advanced nitrox/deco procedures course. Some of the guys in the group are doing a trimix course as well.

For IANTD Adv EANX depths are 100-140 ft max and deco of up to 15 min, so I mis-spoke earlier.

Thanks for the advice on the sites. Recently moved to PCB and looking for spots to dive out of my boat once I get a bit more experience under my belt.

Thanks!!

 

[Hetland]

Isn't the Strength only 70 or 80 feet.

Yes, I don't know how I messed that one up. Thanks for catching the error.

 

[Dive-aholic]

Not much for tech diving out of PCB. I take my students to the "O". The Ozark was mentioned. That is in the 300' range and should be done on a rebreather. The problem you're going to have with the Oriskany is finding a charter that will take you out for a 2rebreather tech dive trip for a reasonable price. There's at least one out there. Your instructor should know where to take you and already have done some dives at the site before taking students out to it.

 

[RaginCajun]

Bringing our own boat. No rebreather folks on board, just yet. Our instructor just bought a KISS rebreather for himself. Didn't realize the Ozark was so deep. Wow.

Looks like there are some wrecks that qualify as deep enough (100-140) so we'll see. I have a boat in PCB and they have a bigger boat to pull to Pensacola so we're fortunate enough to be flexible.

Thanks for the wealth of knowledge.

 

[RaginCajun]

Aren't there 2 wrecks named Strength? The popular one that's dived often and one out a bit farther/deeper? I think I read this in Ned DeLoach's Diving Guide to Underwater Florida. Will look it up when I get home next week.