Wil
Contributor
A trip to the Tiger wreck should be an easy thing. It's off the south end of Va Beach (Sandbridge) only 8.5nm offshore. But when the wind and sea state doesn't cooperate it makes for an interesting day. The sea sate outbound was less swell-like (the forecast) and more steep-like. Winds picked up during the day to an estimated 15-20 knots during our stay. With white caps all around and diving completed we headed back skirting the shoreline to minimize the WNW winds and wind driven waves. A much easier ride back and faster. Diving with us were RAD Diver and his wife, two new divers Dan and Frank, and my wife and I.
The Tiger is a Tanker torpedoed in 1942 which foundered during its tow back to Norfolk. As a hazard to navigation, it was later reduced to a large debris field. At just under 60 feet it's a great wreck to gain ocean diving experience before moving on to deeper and larger wrecks.
We tied into the wreck about 40 feet aft of the boilers, which are the most prominent feature of the Tiger. Visibility was 20-25 feet with a slight bottom current. The surface water temperature was 72 deg and remained warm down to about 35 ft. The thermocline at 35 ft dropped the temp down to 64 deg and increased the visibility. Just below the thermocline the wreck emerged beneath us. On a wreck that resembles a large debris field more so than an intact ship with recognizable features, it's best to use a wreck reel for navigation even with 25 ft vis.
On the bottom we found Skates everywhere. Their gray/brown camouflage wasn't working well in the light colored sand and dark rusted plates around the wreck. We found Flounder as well, Sea Bass; not in great numbers and saw a Taug or two around the boilers. RAD Diver went further into the debris field on his first dive and found many more Flounder.
I was diving with the two less-experienced divers (you only get experience one way - dive more) and though we had a bit of weighting issues on the first dive attempt we were able to get to the bottom on the second dive. We explored along the wreck reel I'd put out when I tied us in earlier. During my dive with my dive buddies, I wanted to focus on their exploration of the wreck and not on fooling around with a reel. They got to see a good portion of the wreck, the fish and, most importantly, gain more experience.
Though it was not the best conditions to be offshore, we had a good day diving with better than average bottom conditions.
Safe Diving,
Will
Editorial Comment: Our first planned dive didn't get to a great start. Too many problems with proper weight made for a very difficult time on the surface trying to get it right. Proper buoyancy control starts with proper weighting. If you're off by an inch-you're off by a mile. You'll likely fight an under/over weight condition your entire dive, working harder and using more air, then enjoying the diving less. Practice proper buoyancy control and improve your diving enjoyment. It all starts with your weight.
The Tiger is a Tanker torpedoed in 1942 which foundered during its tow back to Norfolk. As a hazard to navigation, it was later reduced to a large debris field. At just under 60 feet it's a great wreck to gain ocean diving experience before moving on to deeper and larger wrecks.
We tied into the wreck about 40 feet aft of the boilers, which are the most prominent feature of the Tiger. Visibility was 20-25 feet with a slight bottom current. The surface water temperature was 72 deg and remained warm down to about 35 ft. The thermocline at 35 ft dropped the temp down to 64 deg and increased the visibility. Just below the thermocline the wreck emerged beneath us. On a wreck that resembles a large debris field more so than an intact ship with recognizable features, it's best to use a wreck reel for navigation even with 25 ft vis.
On the bottom we found Skates everywhere. Their gray/brown camouflage wasn't working well in the light colored sand and dark rusted plates around the wreck. We found Flounder as well, Sea Bass; not in great numbers and saw a Taug or two around the boilers. RAD Diver went further into the debris field on his first dive and found many more Flounder.
I was diving with the two less-experienced divers (you only get experience one way - dive more) and though we had a bit of weighting issues on the first dive attempt we were able to get to the bottom on the second dive. We explored along the wreck reel I'd put out when I tied us in earlier. During my dive with my dive buddies, I wanted to focus on their exploration of the wreck and not on fooling around with a reel. They got to see a good portion of the wreck, the fish and, most importantly, gain more experience.
Though it was not the best conditions to be offshore, we had a good day diving with better than average bottom conditions.
Safe Diving,
Will
Editorial Comment: Our first planned dive didn't get to a great start. Too many problems with proper weight made for a very difficult time on the surface trying to get it right. Proper buoyancy control starts with proper weighting. If you're off by an inch-you're off by a mile. You'll likely fight an under/over weight condition your entire dive, working harder and using more air, then enjoying the diving less. Practice proper buoyancy control and improve your diving enjoyment. It all starts with your weight.
