Chester Poling

[Green_Manelishi]

I too have experienced poor to excellent vis, as well as none to rather annoying current. But here is an interesting anecdote ...

A few years ago my buddy and I encountered a "toward the portside" current as we swam around the break after following the portside, along the bottom. If we stopped swimming we had to re-cover the distance. We moved up onto the deck and started toward the stern. About 1/2 way toward the stern my buddy was swept off the deck and over the side by a 'toward the starboard side' surge; a few seconds later he was swept back onto the deck. That was the end of that dive.

The point of all of this is ... be aware and expect the unexpected.

One more thing: if you decide to explore the bottom, run a line. As large as that wreck is she can disappear very quickly.

 

[mjacobydc]

Thanks for all the great feedback about this wreck. I was wondering if you descend by a mooring line up here. One of the wrecks I did in Fla was by line the other not. Its good to get a heads up on the variable current as well.
Green Man that sounded like a wild rush of a dive!
Dave4868 I enjoyed your pics from the weekend. That lump fish is really cool.

 

[Rainer]

Yup, descent is by anchor/mooring line.

 

[Mike D]

Yup. We did her as a night dive this past Sat. It's just a great night dive when conditions are right.

It is a beautiful night dive. Charter boats have two lines they can tie off to; one is at the break, and the other is at the stern.

 

[Tampico_ED]

Hi,
Does anyone has any report of the current vis on the wreck? I would like to take some pics...

Thanks

 

[lord1234]

Ed,
As of saturday vis was between 20-30 feet in the evening.

 

[Rainer]

Hi,
Does anyone has any report of the current vis on the wreck? I would like to take some pics...

Thanks

See post 3...

 

[LobstaMan]

Thanks for all the great feedback about this wreck. I was wondering if you descend by a mooring line up here. One of the wrecks I did in Fla was by line the other not. Its good to get a heads up on the variable current as well.
Green Man that sounded like a wild rush of a dive!
Dave4868 I enjoyed your pics from the weekend. That lump fish is really cool.

Yes, charter captains I've dove w/ recommend a descent down the mooring line or if the boat is tied into the wreck, the anchor line. I usually clip a strobe onto the chain part of either just so I know that I'm coming up the right line. Not needed if there's only one mooring line, but with a wreck as popular as the Poling, I guarantee they'll be at least one "ghost" line or additional mooring line(such as one stern and one bow line). Just avoids confusion and the embarassment of ascending the wrong or non-existent line.

I don't think you should run a line from the mooring line due to the ease of navigation of the wreck. One leisurely trip around the Poling(w/ maybe a short trip across the deck area) and you should be back at the right spot and ready to ascend.

Night dive on the Poling sounds great!

LobstaMan

 

[Rainer]

Run a line if conditions dictate. Trying to navigate this wreck last month in 30" vis without a line would have been dicey. And that's knowing the wreck decently well. In good conditions, however, we don't run a line.

 

[matt_unique]

The great thing about this wreck is you can't get lost! Even if you go up the wrong line, you're about 75 yards away from the other. I've never run a line here day or night but a strobe as a marker for the correct line is very handy.

For your first dive I suggest you descend down to the deck, take a look around near the mooring line, then proceed on the deck around the outside edge of the wreck. You will be around 80' and can easily keep your bearings. Mark the correct ascent line with a strobe and you will be good to go.

Lot's of good sea anenomes, sometimes Lump Fish, and in the fall tons of Spiny Dogfish sharks. The largest lobster or fish I have ever seen were underneath the Poling. I once saw the Great Massachusetts Lobzilla. Fortunately I had a witness - you would have to see it to believe the size and I will leave it at that. (I'm joking about the name but not the encounter).