Favorite Mid-Atlantic wrecks

[Oyster Diver]

Ok so what is your favorite mid-atlantic wreck dive and why? It takes a few dives on a wreck for me to decide how much I really like it so my list may change. My favorite wrecks are the "screw wreck" and the Marine Electric.

The screw wreck is in about 75 fsw and has plenty of relief. Since it hasn't been identified the possibility, though remote, exists that someone will find something that names it. Also there were plenty of lobsters there last year and I hope they are still there waiting. Its just a fun easy dive with lots of bottom time.

The Marine Electric is deeper at 130 fsw but sections of it are still "relatively" intact. I have only explored the stern section and I could spend dozens of dives on it. It is very impressive to see.

I can't wait for the next local ocean season to start. There are just so many wrecks to dive.

 

[emcbride81]

Not to hijack the thread, but add where and what op you used. I am very interested in doing wrecks this summer off the Delmarva penninsula but do not know who to go with.

 

[Oyster Diver]

I went out from Ocean City, Maryland on the OC Diver (OCDIVER Subheading Goes Here). There are a few other options, but I haven't been on any of them. Next seasons schedule should be up sometime within the next month. There should be a good mix of shallow and deep dives.

 

[RAD Diver]

Definitely want to dive the Marine Electric, tried several times last year with Dive Quarters of Va. Beach Diving Lessons Virginia Beach | Scuba Lessons Virginia Beach | Learn Scuba | PADI Diving Classes & on a private boat owned by a friend of the owner of DQ. Lynnhaven Dive Center Lynnhaven Dive Center - scuba diving lessons classes equipm tried to set up an overnight trip there, but weather kept that from happening. I couldn't go anyway as the 1st one I was in Italy & the 2nd attempt I was in Hatteras at a family reunion. I did sneak away for 2 days of diving with my wife & Andy(Drewski) with Outer Banks Diving though.
Now as far as my favorites I would have to say the Mexicana is at the top even though it is technically off the NC coast we did depart from VB with LDC. It sits in 150fsw to the sand, but can easily be dove within recreational limits at deck level.
Also as far as deep stuff goes the Ocean Venture at 150fsw is pretty broken up so you are at the deeper end the whole dive, but plenty to see & I caught sight of a pretty big shark during Deco. This was with DQ.
On the other hand some good dives in the 100fsw range. The Webster is worth a dive or 2 , mostly intact stern with a short (20-30ft) jump to the bow. Of course the main dive most come here for is the Morgan, a good dive also is the Clark. Tough to pick a favorite as with conditions if you get perfect at 1 & less than that on another it will sway your judgement.
If you need shallow around here the Santore is a good dive in 60fsw & the Tug or also known as the Winthrop (I think) in 70fsw are great dives. The Santore was sunk by mines laid by the U-701 at the mouth of the Bay in WW2 & then blasted as a navigation hazard. A large site & need 2 dives to even begin to get to know it. The Tug is in tact, but small & if bored on a 2nd dive you could tie a line & venture off to find a tank or rail cars that are in the area, but I wouldn't recommend that to a beginning diver.
OK my novel is over.LOL

 

[waterpirate]

My favorite dives out of O.C. MD are as follows:

The african queen
Upside down bow section, 28 fsw to top of structure and 70fsw to the sand, 80 in a hole. Good relief, with one whole side blown open. Good penetration ops. Last year the sand cleared out of the chain locker and exposed an anchor. You can easily multiprofile this dive to over an hour with no deco.

The A.T. Hall
Artificial reef. previous coast gaurd cutter sunk upright fully intact. 125fsw to the sand top of wheel house at about 70ish. covered with mussells mmmmm good. The interior is stacked up with Taugzillas as she is to deep for most to hunt. Good penetration ops.

The blenny
70 fsw to the sand. she is a good study rusty sub construction, usually some lobsters to be had. Penetration only for the very skinny and not faint of heart. word of caution there always seems to be wads and wads of fouled commercial fishing gear on her that can be problematic for the new wrecker.

those are three, I could go on for hours. The dive op out of O.C. is the O.C.Diver, a good boat in my opinion. If anyone wants intel on a specific wreck, just chime in and I will tell you what I know.
Eric