Anyone dove the Empire Mica since hurricane Dennis?

[mike_s]

Fellow divers have told me that taking the KillFish out of Port St Joe was much cheaper. I think it's a smaller boat also than what they (Hyrdrospace, etc) run
out of Panama City.


But..... To check to see what the KillFish costs for a Mica trip, I did a google
and found their website. (http://www.killfishcharters.com/). It doesn't appear that they are any cheaper after all. I think that Hydrospace charges/charged around $140-$150 for a trip. So with the Killfish you get there quicker, but a smaller boat. Hydrospace will take a little longer, but a bigger boat for a nicer ride.

So, doesn't look like Killfish is any/much cheaper.

 

[jviehe]

And CCDC is actually only 10 more miles, so, not that much longer, and much more comfortable from what I hear. Hydrospace is going to be MUCH longer, and its hydrospace...you might not come back.

 

[Nemrod]

How far out is the Empire Mica and what is the best place to provide the shortest route to the wreck? Anyone have tested and proven coordinates? Thanks.

 

[mike_s]

I think theres GPS and/or Loran coordinates to it in the Ned DeLoach "Guide to Underwater Florida." A quick google search found the coordinates at Lat 29 18.72 Lon 85 21.21

For a "general location" of it, check out the map at the bottom of this page. It's got the Mica on it. Shortest route will be out of Port St Joe.
http://www.seahorsewatersafaris.com/diveboattrips.htm

 

[Allison Finch]

Wow, I haven't heard the name "Empire Mica" for a long time. I dived it in the mid 70's. I wonder how much it has changed since then.

 

[mike_s]

Got this email from one of the dive boat captains
about the status of the Empire Mica. Thought I'd
share it with everyone else here who might be
interested in it's condition.

Hi, Just back from the Mica. If you have never dived the Mica with its huge spare prop lying on her proud deck, You have waited too long. The deck has fallen and changed the profile of the wreck significantly. The huge spare prop now lay in a pile of rubble. This will always be a great wreck but it has been forever altered.

Thank's Erik Tomlinson
Killfish Charters
E-Mail killfishcharters.com
Phone ( 850 ) 527 - 7901

 

[mike_s]

Thought I'd ask again about the Empire Mica in this thread instead of starting a new one....


Anyone dove it in recent months and have a trip report on it? pictures? damage report?

Just curious of what kind of shape other divers have found it in since the summer Hurricane season?????