Bottom temps for Monitor?

[stuartv]

I'm slated to dive the Monitor this weekend (conditions permitting - please! please!).

I have not dived that deep off NC before.

Any idea what bottom temps will be like? Thermocline somewhere and chilly on the bottom? Or pretty much the same from top to bottom?

 

[azstinger11]

Oh color me jealous! What dive operation are you using to go there?

sorry don’t have any to add really other than that, and I really look forward to a post dive report!

Edit: saw this article written by one the folks running the monitor sanctuary, NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Shipwrecks: The USS Monitor • Scuba Diver Life temps range 75-60f according to them

 

[stuartv]

Oh color me jealous! What dive operation are you using to go there?

sorry don’t have any to add really other than that, and I really look forward to a post dive report!

Edit: saw this article written by one the folks running the monitor sanctuary, NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Shipwrecks: The USS Monitor • Scuba Diver Life temps range 75-60f according to them

Thanks! That was helpful.

Going out on the Lion’s Paw.

 

[tursiops]

My dives on her were 69-70 deg F, in late June a few years ago. Prepare to be amazed.

 

[stuartv]

Well, to answer my own question: The surface water was 85. It dropped steadily down to 77 at 100'. Then there was a very sharp thermocline and it was 65 on the bottom (230fsw). When we got back on the boat, the guys were no longer laughing at me in my drysuit... LOL!

The viz was absolutely amazing. Maybe 150 feet? I could see the other divers from one end of the wreck all the way at the other end.

There was a very slight current.

We did 25 minutes on the bottom and a total run of 100 minutes.

All in all, it really could not have been any better conditions. A great dive, only to be totally eclipsed the very next day by diving the E M Clark....

 

[lexvil]

Well, to answer my own question: The surface water was 85. It dropped steadily down to 77 at 100'. Then there was a very sharp thermocline and it was 65 on the bottom (230fsw). When we got back on the boat, the guys were no longer laughing at me in my drysuit... LOL!

The viz was absolutely amazing. Maybe 150 feet? I could see the other divers from one end of the wreck all the way at the other end.

There was a very slight current.

We did 25 minutes on the bottom and a total run of 100 minutes.

All in all, it really could not have been any better conditions. A great dive, only to be totally eclipsed the very next day by diving the E M Clark....

Pictures?

 

[stuartv]

Pictures?

I didn't take my camera in. Didn't want the distraction. But, one of the other guys posted some video. Maybe this will work:

 

[broncobowsher]

Looks like you had a little bit of current out there.

 

[scubadada]

Well, to answer my own question: The surface water was 85. It dropped steadily down to 77 at 100'. Then there was a very sharp thermocline and it was 65 on the bottom (230fsw). When we got back on the boat, the guys were no longer laughing at me in my drysuit... LOL!

The viz was absolutely amazing. Maybe 150 feet? I could see the other divers from one end of the wreck all the way at the other end.

There was a very slight current.

We did 25 minutes on the bottom and a total run of 100 minutes.

All in all, it really could not have been any better conditions. A great dive, only to be totally eclipsed the very next day by diving the E M Clark....

Congratulations Stuart I remember when you first mentioned this goal. Way to go

 

[rhwestfall]

Good heavens, I'm tired from just watching that...... No way I could do that without a scooter!