Diving the Oriskany

[lrock741]

Hi,
For all those who have previously dove the Oriskany, please do share your wisdom. I am currently tech 1 certified (up to 30%He, 150ft max depth) and was wondering if it was worth diving it beyond the 130ft limit. i.e. should I just do the dive as a regular sport diver to 130ft with Nitrox or is it worth it to go the extra mile? And how many dives is it worth doing (the 2 dive trip or the 3 dive trip?) Also, what are conditions like? Strong current, great viz (I think i may be going either at the end of April or later on in the summer). Any other recommendations or information would be appreciated!

Thanks,
laura

 

[DA Aquamaster]

My experience on the Oriskany is limited, but here's my take on it.

There is lots of intereting stuff on and in the island, and that it probably worth a couple dives all by itself. Most of that can be done at or above 130'.

The flight deck is at 145-150' depending where you are at on it. Unless you have a scooter, you can spend three dives on it and still not see all of it. Most of the interesting stuff is around the edges of the deck, but then I have a passion for carrier aviation, history and Essex class carriers in general (and the Oriskany is unique in terms of the extent of the mods it received as the last SCB-27C and SCB-125 modified Essex) and that may add to the appeal for me. If the viz is good you can also see a great deal of the wreck below you as you circle the deck.

Fish life on the Oriskany is pretty meager by most wreck and ref standards, so if you like pretty fish, its not worth the trip.

My understanding is that viz varies, and when I was there were distinct layers with the horizontal viz varying from 20' to 100'. Currently also vary in terms of both direction and velocity and can vary with depth.

 

[Dr Dive]

Dr Dive here,
Hi Laura and thanks for the inquiry.

Aquamaster is correct. The edges of the flight deck are fascinating, but it will probably make you want to go to the next tec level. The flight deck is ~150 all around, so you have a hard bottom marker for your level. Good for the prescribed levels and an easy marker.
Across from the island is the end of the angled flight deck, a significant innovation in carrier technology. Very cool. With a scooter, you can easily reach the hurricane bow, another significant improvement, as well as the fantail, with all the details associated with the aircraft recovery process. The ship is quite accessible and fascinating in all respects.
If you are doing planned deco dives, a two tank trip will take the better part of the day. A three tank trip will be a long day, but is quite doable. .
Conditions vary, but are diveable at worst. I hear folks talking about their last trip to (location X) and the current was "rip your mask off strong" and the "vis was hand in front of your face", but we have diveable conditions on 97+ % of our trips. It's the rare excursion that conditions are bad enough to really detract. Usually it is surface rather than underwater conditions that detract. The ship is so large that you can find shelter from most conditions and vis is rarely less than 40 ft or so. All key ship features such as Flag Bridge, Nav Bridge and Primary Flight Control Bridge are above recreational limits, so there is a lot to see on your deco stops on the way back.
Late May, or September are both good. All summer long is good too. The rest of the year is a matter of timing, with weather fronts being the major factor.
I do disagree with Aquamaster on the meager fish life. True we don't have swarms of colorful reef fish, but we do have monster barracuda, schools of amberjack, snapper, grouper, clouds of baitfish and lots of clingy critters like arrow crabs, octopus, spiny oysters, shovelnose lobster and bristleworms. We see goliath grouper. We do have some of the colorful ones as well, it's just a different experience. We see butterfly fish, blennies and other colorful tropicals. We also see Queen Angels and grey angels as well. We also see the occasional whale shark, manta ray, turtle and a variety of pelagic and residential sharks as well. It is a biological oasis that has a potential for spectacular sightings on every dive.
Y'all come see us. Our operators can accommodate both rec and tec trips, we have local dive shops that can accommodate your all gear and gas mix needs and lots of excellent accommodations and attractions to satisfy and entertain. We hope you will come see us. The pool is open and the beaches are beautiful. Pensacola is a great family destination and has much to offer. Come see us.
Capt. Jim
Dr Dive
www.drdive.com
drdive@drdive.com
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