Diving North Carolina

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I agree with the 'potential' statement'. But, I also think it is quite possible for a newer diver to have some great diving experiences off the coast. And, while I would echo the sentiment that gaining some additional experience in Key Largo is always a great idea, since the OP is going to be in NC, he has a great opportunity to experience NC diving, particularly some of the wrecks. Depending on your current level of comfort and air consumption you can actually dive some of the deeper wrecks as a new diver, and do so comfortably. As an example: my (then 18y.o.) son dove the U-701, out of Hatteras, at 115' on his 10th dive. His air consumption was better (lower) than mine. :) He did the Naeco, out of Beaufort, at 136', on his 12th dive. In all honesty, on both days, we (just) happened to have near perfect conditions. On a different day, it may have been more challenging.

Mndiv: One thing you may have heard about is the presence of three WWII German U-boats off the coast. There are three of them, they are considered as some sort of 'rite of passage' by some, and for different reasons they may not be optimal for newer divers (although many newer divers descend on them every year). One (U-85) is shallower (85') but cold (water temps in the 60s). Given your current location, you may be used to colder waters, and that may not be an issue for you. The U-701 is deeper at ~115', and is often plagued by serious currents. I have done it on a great day, and been blown out on the very next day. The U-352 is probably the easiest at 115', but still deep.

In a previous post I provided some links to a couple of Outer Banks operators, one in Nags Head and the other in Hatteras. The 2011 summer charter schedule for the Nags Head operation is still posted, and gives you an example of the sites they go to, or at least went to last season. For the Hatteras operation, a schedule is not on the webpage. But, my recommendation is that you email both, sooner rather than later, and ask their advice on what they would recommned for you during your stay in Hatteras. You don't have to commit to anything, but may be able to get some good advice.

I also mentioned (and offered a link for) Discovery Diving, down in Beaufort, in a previous post. Their webpage is a trove of information on dive sites as well.

Note: in looking at the Hatteras op site, I was reminded that different operators have different, sometimes unique requirements. For example, Johnny Pieno's site indicates: 'EACH DIVER IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A COMPUTER AND DIVING ACCIDENT INSURANCEPROOF OF INSURANCE MUST BE PROVIDED ALONG WITH YOUR CERTIFICATION CARD AT CHECK IN'. You can rent a computer, but you can't show up and buy 'trip insurtance'. DAN membership is VERY inexpensive ($35/year), and the value is tremendous, so think about a DAN membership (DAN: Divers Alert Network - Scuba Diving and Dive Safety Association) - it works worldwide.


Thanks for the advice as always. Me and my dad both have the DAN Standard Plan for 35.00 per year (Is this sufficient), and both of us have a dive computer (Genesis Resource Pro), so neither of these requirements should be a problem. The only thing we ever have rent is exposure protection (saving up for a drysuit being from MN), and the tank. We have a good pair of coldwater regs, BC, fins etc. and all I've dived is a 7mm.

Are the waters relatively clear then? Because diving deep in MN quarry's/lakes when they are murky, you feel like your at 130ft when your actually only at 60ft, so I imagine going deep in clearer waters is not as nervwrecking..:)

So when your son dove those wrecks of the NC he only had 10 dives total, and it worked fine? Thats reassuring, given the right conditions of course!
 
Many of the offshore wrecks are in the Gulf stream with tremendous visibility amd warm water. The inshore wrecks will usually be cooler with less visibility. Diving in the gulf stream on a sunny day, you feel like you are at 60' when you are at 120'. Just the opposite of your experience at home.
 
I think you would be very happy diving in Cape Hatteras, I mate on board JTs boat during the weekends.
We do get some technical charters, but 90+% of the trips are recreational. At sites such as the Dixie Arrow 90fsw, FW Abrahms 80fsw are excellent dives & ones I dive many times a year & never tire of. We also have shallower sites such as the Tug in 60fsw & Keshena at 70fsw.
We only take 6 divers out on a 40+ft boat with full cabin with AC & flat screen TV to watch movie DVDs on. JTs diver lift will spoil you when you go to other operators & have to climb out of the water after the dive, well for you at 16 maybe not too much, but your dad will love it.
Check out his video page at Capt JT's Wreck Diving Site
Oh and Outer Banks Diving is no more, they will not be open for business this year.
Check out this site for a few videos Wreck Diver Video on Vimeo
2nd page Sandtiger Shark video is the Tug I spoke of earlier.
 
How deep are the dives everyone is recommending ponies for? I've never been in the Atlantic and need to understand the discussion.
 
How deep are the dives everyone is recommending ponies for? I've never been in the Atlantic and need to understand the discussion.

Ponies are "bail out" bottles and are not necessary as a matter of increased depth other than the fact you are diving depths where a emergency ascent is out of the question. They are designed to help in catastrophic failure of your gas supply on your back, due to a hose or regulator failure and only for assisting in getting you safely to the surface. A good buddy can do that as well.

I get nervous when people start saying a pony bottle is a must, because they are not designed to be a part of your gas management plan. They are contingency bottles, and not very that good at that. If you have to use one because you ran low on your back gas, then you miss the point and you are making other poor tactical planning decisions. My point is that a pony bottle is like having a donut spare tire in your truck. On a dark and cold night, it might get you home, but you would never plan on using it.

Having said that, I dive a steel 120 with H valves and carry a back mounted pony on about half my dives, mostly when I am diving solo.

Diving in NC is FANTASTIC, but it is not resort diving. If you are prepared, it is no big deal. But be careful about solving a lack of experience issue with more equipment, especially when that would be a pony bottle.
 
Many New Jersey operators require a pony bottle for all divers on their boats. They dive primarily in deep, cold water with sometimes poor visibility.

My son and I dive with pony bottles when I am taking pictures. We realize that photographers are not the best buddies and equip ourselves accordingly. We are in Bonaire now and brought small 6 cuft bottles with us just for that reason. Its not just about depth. Its feeling comfortable with the diving you are doing.
 
I agree with everything James (Tortuga) said up to the point of the back mounted pony, I would never dive like that & none of my instructors (technical) would recommend that either & would probably have a coronary going into why not to do it.
Other than that I highly recommend his boat if you are in Morehead City/ Beaufort area.
 
since I realize that almost all the wrecks are deeper than 60 feet, we we strongly considering taking the AOW class / I have gone and looked at descriptions of all the wrecks, and so on, however, literally suggestions of any kind would be appreciated

the "Indra". when it was first sunk it quickly became the primary training platform. I think it still is. short boat ride and i seem to remember the bottom being at 55'. Lots of sea life. Saw my first adult Bull Shark on the Indra.

ask for "in shore wrecks" if you call the dive shops
 

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