Crane Barge

[wreckedinri]

Splashed the boat at Allen's Harbor yesterday and ran down the west passage to check out the Crane Barge. The clear water at the dock seemed to bode well for good visibility at the dive site. It was overcast and quite brisk until about 8:30 when the sun burnt off the morning haze and it warmed up nicely. Of course tooling down the bay a 40 mph didn't help the chill factor. We hooked the wreck whilst the tide was still on the flood and got my buddy Harry ready to roll in as soon as the current eased enough. With a small window of slack water, his BT was only to be about 30 minutes so as to allow me to get a dive in. Harry hit the water and quickly disappeared into what looked like decent vis. However, upon his return he informed me that the visibility was only 3 to 5 feet at best, and the site was still devoid of fish. A bit early still for Tataug. Harry also reported that, as suspected by what I saw on the depth sounder, the crane has fallen from the deck of the barge and is lying on the bottom beside it. Deck plates have also started to slough off and are strewn about the sea floor.

With the less than great conditions at this familiar site, and having played a bit too hard the night before:11:, I decided to bag my dive and we headed in for breakfast. Over all, it was a successful sea trial for the boat's first run of the year, and a good morning to be out on the water again.

Oh . . . and the pancakes were great at the Breakfast Nook!

 

[RIOceanographer]

Interesting about the crane. I wonder how long the barge will stay on it's side the way it is. For those that haven't dove it, it is sitting a bit like a coin on edge. Sooner or later I'd think a storm is going to roll it over.

Also, the tautog are starting to show. I saw two of them hiding up in the rocks at Wetherill on Saturday.

 

[Sean222]

Splashed the boat at Allen's Harbor yesterday and ran down the west passage to check out the Crane Barge. The clear water at the dock seemed to bode well for good visibility at the dive site. It was overcast and quite brisk until about 8:30 when the sun burnt off the morning haze and it warmed up nicely. Of course tooling down the bay a 40 mph didn't help the chill factor. We hooked the wreck whilst the tide was still on the flood and got my buddy Harry ready to roll in as soon as the current eased enough. With a small window of slack water, his BT was only to be about 30 minutes so as to allow me to get a dive in. Harry hit the water and quickly disappeared into what looked like decent vis. However, upon his return he informed me that the visibility was only 3 to 5 feet at best, and the site was still devoid of fish. A bit early still for Tataug. Harry also reported that, as suspected by what I saw on the depth sounder, the crane has fallen from the deck of the barge and is lying on the bottom beside it. Deck plates have also started to slough off and are strewn about the sea floor.

With the less than great conditions at this familiar site, and having played a bit too hard the night before:11:, I decided to bag my dive and we headed in for breakfast. Over all, it was a successful sea trial for the boat's first run of the year, and a good morning to be out on the water again.

Oh . . . and the pancakes were great at the Breakfast Nook!

That's great that you had a good first run. While you were loading or unloading, we were at the boatyard right behind you, painting the bottom and waxing.

 

[wreckedinri]

That's great that you had a good first run. While you were loading or unloading, we were at the boatyard right behind you, painting the bottom and waxing.

If we would have known we could have stopped by and given you a hand . . .
OK; so maybe we could have brought you a coffee!

 

[Sean222]

If we would have known we could have stopped by and given you a hand . . .
OK; so maybe we could have brought you a coffee!

No problem. Thanks for the thought.