Akimbo, have you had any experience with collapsing wrecks as a salvage diver? Was there any particular pattern to look for?
Lessons Wreck Penetration
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OP
As-in ready to pancake? Thankfully no. I have worked a little around wrecks that were already pancaked. The textbook method is to force the collapse of the structure when a wreck is that far gone, usually with explosives, so you can safely work on object (cargo) recovery.
Say you wanted to recover something in the photo above. Chances are pretty good that the salvage master would just tie slings around several locations of the overhead and rip it off with winches. They "might" burn an opening in a strategic location and install shoring if more finesse was required.
You really know how to ask hard questions! Common sense goes a long way, just take the time to look at the structure and think about it rather than just swim in. You are doing this for fun right? When in doubt, don't go in… or ask yourself:
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Even here in the lakes we are starting to notice even the deeper wrecks deteriote besides what the idiot archeologists say about underwater museums. One rough day on the water could send a waterlogged 130ft mast tumbling on you with the decks and yardarms with it. Not something I want to run into.
Octopusprime
Contributor
I remember my first 0 vis dive... We were on a search and recovery dive. We had to locate a hidden weight belt with 30lb of weight and bring it to the surface. We chose a circular search pattern I was the pivot point my buddy was searching. I settled on the bottom holding the line, spinning in the mud on the bottom... Within 3 sec it was black, my heart spread up, breathing heavy and was thinking how will I recall my buddy...
I closed my eyes and let my other senses take over feal and sound. I knew all I needed was to feel the tension on the rope and the bottom... With your eyes closed you can calm yourself and think clear
y. I know I'm not ready for 0 vis in overhead environment. I do like the idea of training in 0 vis for practice.
I closed my eyes and let my other senses take over feal and sound. I knew all I needed was to feel the tension on the rope and the bottom... With your eyes closed you can calm yourself and think clear
y. I know I'm not ready for 0 vis in overhead environment. I do like the idea of training in 0 vis for practice.
OP
I'm the wrong guy to ask about wreck deterioration in fresh water, especially wood. I have to look to you and other Great Lakes divers for that. Does natural fiber rigging survive for long?
That's the best reason I can think of to avoid overhead environments for now. It sounds like you have a greater appreciation for the zero-vis acclimatization process than most though.
Before the introduction of the Zebra mussels from eastern Europe, the hemp and fabric sails still were rigged as they were ready to go. Now what you do find, turns to mush in your hands. Lake Surperior still has fabric rigging though. I do not know the condition, but fragile might be an understatement.
OP
Here is an article from a well known wreck diver:
dan.org
Hazards in Wreck Diving
Shipwrecks attract divers and sea life around them, but never venture inside a shipwreck until you have advanced wreck-dive training.
dan.org
OP
That one is new to me mate. Not sure I understand 10 eyes?
10 fingers = 10 eyes, feeling in nil vis for whatever was required, it was a saying in the Australian Navy , they may sure to use new an up to date term now.
I remember saying [young and dumb] "I can't see a bloody thing", and being told "you have 10 eyes, use them", yes 'insert rank here' .
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