Outer Banks Dive Center
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On both Saturday, August 28 and Sunday, August 29 the Outer Banks Dive Center is headed to the U-701! The back-up dive site for the 28th is the Green Buoy. The back-up site for the 29th is the Byron D. Benson.
The U-701 is a type VIIC German U-boat. The U-701 was 218 ft long and displaced 1070 tons when fully loaded with 60 men. The U-701 was under sporadic attack for many days from assorted aerial bombers and was sunk off the coast of Cape Hatteras by an aerial depth charge on July 7, 1942. She was sunk by an A-29 Hudson from the 396th, operated by Lt. H.J. Kane, while on the surface. The 701 was trying to exchange her air and had returned to the surface; look outs missed the attacking A-29 which dealt a fatal blow. Of the crew escaping the sinking vessel, approximately 20 were to survive the action of the day. The U-701 was the first U-boat to be sunk by the U.S.A.F. during WWII.*
The U-701 lies in the Diamond Shoals area in approximately 120-130 feet of water. The Diamond Shoals area often has visibility in excess of 100 feet. The area is prone to strong currents due to the mixing of the Labrador Current and Gulf Stream. The U-701 has been covered by sand in the past, yet is uncovered this year. The U-701 is one of the most intact U-boats.
The back-up dive site for the 28th is the Green Buoy, also known as the Mirlo. The Mirlo is a 6,978 ton tanker which was sunk by a mine from the U-117 on August 16, 1918. The Mirlo was previously mistaken for the Ciltvaira when she was originally found and identified. The Mirlo sits about 20 miles South of the Oregon Inlet in an area that has slightly warmer and clearer water. This area is also prone to having higher currents and therefore it can be a challenging dive. The Mirlo sits in 120 feet of water. The vessel is broken in two. The forward section of the wreck is flipped with her decks in the sand. The stern area which is still attached by a debris field settled upright to starboard at a 45 degree angle. Because of the warmer, clearer water this site is ideal for photography, turtles, tropical and game fish are often seen on this site.
The back-up dive site for the 29th is the Byron D. Benson. The Benson is a 465 ft long, 7,593 ton tanker. The Benson was torpedoed by an unknown U-boat on April 5, 1942. She lies is 100 ft of water NE of the Oregon inlet. The Benson burned for numerous days before sinking to the bottom. The extensive damage caused by the fire weakened the hull, and it has collapsed into a fantastic debris field which supports a wide variety of marine life. This is an excellent dive for photography and exploration
The Outer Banks Dive Center operates the R/V Go Between. The R/V Go-Between runs out of the Oregon Inlet from Broad Creek Marina. It should take approximately two hours to reach the U-701. The Outer Banks Dive Center and the R/V Go-Between have a strict policy of no-touch, no-take shipwrecks. The history of this vessel needs to be preserved for all future divers to enjoy and explore. The U-701 is protected by the German government and is considered a war grave.
Please visit the Outer Banks Dive Center website at Outer Banks Dive Center, Nags Head, North Carolina and the “Outer Banks Dive Center” Facebook page.
Please call the shop at 252-449-8349 to make your reservation for these exciting dive trips before space fills up!
The U-701 is a type VIIC German U-boat. The U-701 was 218 ft long and displaced 1070 tons when fully loaded with 60 men. The U-701 was under sporadic attack for many days from assorted aerial bombers and was sunk off the coast of Cape Hatteras by an aerial depth charge on July 7, 1942. She was sunk by an A-29 Hudson from the 396th, operated by Lt. H.J. Kane, while on the surface. The 701 was trying to exchange her air and had returned to the surface; look outs missed the attacking A-29 which dealt a fatal blow. Of the crew escaping the sinking vessel, approximately 20 were to survive the action of the day. The U-701 was the first U-boat to be sunk by the U.S.A.F. during WWII.*
The U-701 lies in the Diamond Shoals area in approximately 120-130 feet of water. The Diamond Shoals area often has visibility in excess of 100 feet. The area is prone to strong currents due to the mixing of the Labrador Current and Gulf Stream. The U-701 has been covered by sand in the past, yet is uncovered this year. The U-701 is one of the most intact U-boats.
The back-up dive site for the 28th is the Green Buoy, also known as the Mirlo. The Mirlo is a 6,978 ton tanker which was sunk by a mine from the U-117 on August 16, 1918. The Mirlo was previously mistaken for the Ciltvaira when she was originally found and identified. The Mirlo sits about 20 miles South of the Oregon Inlet in an area that has slightly warmer and clearer water. This area is also prone to having higher currents and therefore it can be a challenging dive. The Mirlo sits in 120 feet of water. The vessel is broken in two. The forward section of the wreck is flipped with her decks in the sand. The stern area which is still attached by a debris field settled upright to starboard at a 45 degree angle. Because of the warmer, clearer water this site is ideal for photography, turtles, tropical and game fish are often seen on this site.
The back-up dive site for the 29th is the Byron D. Benson. The Benson is a 465 ft long, 7,593 ton tanker. The Benson was torpedoed by an unknown U-boat on April 5, 1942. She lies is 100 ft of water NE of the Oregon inlet. The Benson burned for numerous days before sinking to the bottom. The extensive damage caused by the fire weakened the hull, and it has collapsed into a fantastic debris field which supports a wide variety of marine life. This is an excellent dive for photography and exploration
The Outer Banks Dive Center operates the R/V Go Between. The R/V Go-Between runs out of the Oregon Inlet from Broad Creek Marina. It should take approximately two hours to reach the U-701. The Outer Banks Dive Center and the R/V Go-Between have a strict policy of no-touch, no-take shipwrecks. The history of this vessel needs to be preserved for all future divers to enjoy and explore. The U-701 is protected by the German government and is considered a war grave.
Please visit the Outer Banks Dive Center website at Outer Banks Dive Center, Nags Head, North Carolina and the “Outer Banks Dive Center” Facebook page.
Please call the shop at 252-449-8349 to make your reservation for these exciting dive trips before space fills up!
