C-53 from shore

[Scubalou]

I would like to dive the C-53 from Chankanaab shore line. Has anyone attempted this or will the current be prohibitive? Could go out part way on the service if air is an issue? What do you think Doc?

 

[DocVikingo]

A competent, experienced diver can do it from shore on an AL80 providing that the current is not prohibitive. You can get a compass reading using the site's mooring buoy.

You do need to take care of the heavy boat traffic along this route, however, and should you have to surface due to intractable current, OOA or other reason, it could get gnarly.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[richhagelin]

How far off shore is it?

Rich

 

[DocVikingo]

Never really paid that much attention as I've only done it by boat, but I'd guess ~300 yards.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[Korbo]

I'll tell you, my freind, the current off the shore side of the boat is VERY strong and if you should happen to get caught up in one of the stronger current days then it is really unpleasant being out that far without a boat........Also an al80 worth of air is easily about how much you would want at the ship for the explore.....Easy boat to penetrate and spend a half hour or more on.....73feet deep.....I hope I don't sound too negative, but,..........The busted up cargo plane behind La Ceiba is home to a lot of critters and I always find octopus at nights......

 

[Scubalou]

Korbo, I love that plane wreck. I've probably dove it a hundred times. What I was thinking on the C-53 was to take a compass heading on it and if much current is running that day at all, turn right around and head back. I know I won't have alot of penetration time. I would probably go with the rule of thirds to play it safe. I was just curious to see if any body has done it yet.

 

[Natasha]

Hi Lou:
I've only dove the C- 53 once, and it was from the boat. It is my favorite wreck so far. I can't wait to dive it again.
But I will tell you when we were there in March, there were some very strong currents.
Be careful and have fun!

 

[Debraw]

I have done the C-53 wreck three times and each time it gets better. The last time we did it the current was smokin'! I would not dive this wreck from the shore. I couldn't imagine what would happen to you if you got caught in a current. I guess you would end up looking at the bottom of a cruise ship?

Have fun and Dive Safe!

 

[Ariel]

I just did this dive during the first week of this month and it was awesome. Our group did our safety stop on the rope going from the ship up to the buoy and I have to say that the seven of us looked like a bunch of flags blowing in the wind. I could not wait to get back on to the dive boat. I could not imagine having to swim back to shore.

Ariel

 

[amandasdaddy]

I have yet to dive this wreck! Every time we go it has not be available to us.

But I was there the day they sank it. IT was the funniest thing. We went out on our dive boat and the ship was anchored in place. We came back a few hours later, adn it was gone... we were surprised that it had sunk without us hearing the explosions.

But it didn't sink! The anchor line broke and it floated away! Only in Mexico would someone steal a military ship!

But they brought it back and sank it a few days later.

I wouldn't recommend it as a shore dive as I thought that you needed a special stamp to dive it.