Diving the U-853

[saharasurfer]

Do people still dive the U-853 off the coast of Rhode Island; near Block Island? Can anyone recommend dive shops or dive boat operators that take divers to the U-853? I live in CT and I don't do a lot of local diving, but this dive has always captured my interest. And I'm thinking I should look into doing it. Any thoughts or recommendations will be appreciated.

 

[gbirch]

Giant Stride is the only place I know of that dives here.

 

[flymolo]

Chuck, who runs the Sea Turtle out of Montauk, still goes there.

 

[diver0004]

Red at Giant Stride uses Priority 2 out of the Jude . Do it sooner than latter as the last time I was on the Tight Rope Walker she was showing her age . Also check with Ed at Divers Cove in Essex CT as there just might be a new boat going into service .

 

[Gene]

The one time I dove it years ago was with Capt. Chuck and the Sea Turtle and it's my favorite wreck dive to date!

 

[Newportdiver]

Made 2 dives on it, summer of 2002 - 20 years ago. Got my AOW from Steve Brady back then - who owned both the boat and Newport Diving Center. Unfortunately, the shop changed owners to someone who badly mishandled things; building was eventually resold and converted to a B+B.

Didn't fully penetrate the boat, but vividly remember the chamber beneath the forward blasthole . . . and what appeared to be several white skulls scattered on the lower deck.

 

[coldwaterglutton]

The wreck is deteriorating but still worth it. Sea Turtle runs a charter and I think Hamptons Dive Center also has trips there. I get there by my own boat from Montauk, it's about a 75 minute trip at speed to get there.

We last were there in the fall and it was a great time. Please give appropriate respect to the crew still on board, most were 16 and 17 year old kids.

 

[TravelGas]

Canned Air out of Conneticut used to go there, sadly they are OOB now.

Thanks for the Sea Turtle tip, I will look into that. Unless, Coldwaterglutton wants 2 divers for his boat who don't mind cold water, who will pay for all the gas and beer ?

How about a SB U-853 trip followed by lunch in Montauk at the Gig Shack ?

 

[TravelGas]

Do people still dive the U-853 off the coast of Rhode Island; near Block Island? Can anyone recommend dive shops or dive boat operators that take divers to the U-853? I live in CT and I don't do a lot of local diving, but this dive has always captured my interest. And I'm thinking I should look into doing it. Any thoughts or recommendations will be appreciated.

I hope you will do a detailed AAR when you return from the wreck.

 

[coldwaterglutton]

Canned Air out of Conneticut used to go there, sadly they are OOB now.

Thanks for the Sea Turtle tip, I will look into that. Unless, Coldwaterglutton wants 2 divers for his boat who don't mind cold water, who will pay for all the gas and beer ?

How about a SB U-853 trip followed by lunch in Montauk at the Gig Shack ?

I don’t know when I’m going this year, but always looking for an extra diving pair for the trip.

The bigger problem this year is that it normally costs me about $1000 in gas to make this trip from my home port to Montauk to the wreck and back. This year — OUCH!