Assistance w/ Rhode Island Diving - U-853

[Ocean County Diver]

Hello All,

I am looking to put a charter together for a trip to the U-853 and was hoping some of you local RI or Eastern CT divers could offer some advice on a good boat and/or dive shop ( I'm from NJ). I have tried getting some info from Narragansett Pier and Newport Dive Center but responses from them have been slow.

Ideally I would like to stay in or near Newport RI, but anywhere close to there would be great! I have dove the U-boat once several years ago, but would prefer to not use that boat again (I'll refrain from naming it as I don' want to appear to be blasting them on my very first post here!)

A larger boat (6 - 10 divers) that is Deco and rebreather friendly would be ideal.

Thanks for all the input!

 

[wreckedinri]

I'm afraid that we are afflicted with a dearth of quality dive charter vessels here in Little Rhody. I know that there was Capt. Wayne Green running a boat called Canned Air but I have no contact info on it. I've shared a couple of moorings with him on the u-boat and the Bass, seems like a pretty cool guy. I would try Atlantis; http://www.atlantis.nu/html/store.htm, out of CT. They are "rebreather friendly". I've also shared a few wrecks with them. Of course there is Thunderfish with Capt. Bill Palmer, but I don't know if he's still doing dive charters. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

Dennis

 

[carlcz]

Try this website.
Chuck Wade runs a good boat. It is a comfortable 6 pack.
He is a good skipper and diver. The boat is out of Montauk, NY, however, but he does have overnights on Block Island.
Carl
http://www.seaturtlecharters.com/

 

[carlcz]

Forgot to add:
Chuck dives rebreathers.

 

[Jeff Toorish]

Is the Seeker gone?

They were based out of Newport.

Jeff

 

[Rainer]

Yes, the Seeker is gone.

 

[Thalassamania]

Palmer still takes trips to the sub.

 

[ArcticDiver]

Take a look at this boat:

http://scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=155753

It is not based in RI. But he seemed knowlegeable about diving in the area and if he isn't going there he may know who does.

 

[Dash_Riprock]

I've got the info on Canned Air out of Point Judith. I'll PM you the email and phone number

 

[Gilldiver]

By the way, it is Wayne Gordon on the Canned Air. He is out of Pt. Judith marine in RI. Easy to get to off of Rt.1 on Sucatash Road. If you want his phone numbers PM me. He can handle rec and tech dives.

The boat is a 36' Down Easter (lobster boat) fiberglass hull custom designed by Wayne for diving and can do 15-20 knots with a full load.

PeteJ