Ft. Wetherill Question

[michaelp68]

I have not gone diving at Ft. Wetherill yet, but I plan on going very soon, probably this weekend. The reason I'm posting is because I'm hearing mixed messages about diving the left side of the left cove (looking out over the water).

I've heard and read that there's a nice wall on that side with lots to see that drops down a bit deeper. Someone told me 120 feet. I read on-line that it's 70 feet. So, the depth is unclear to me.

I've also heard that if you dive in that area, you end up in a boat channel with strong currents, and that the left side of the left cove should be avoided.

For the people familiar with the area, would you please let me know what it's like in that area? Interesting wall? Depth? Boat channel? Current?

Thank you for your thoughts.

 

[rcohn]

I haven't gone far enough out on that side to hit deeper depths, but there is a major shipping channel and it is quite deep, over 120 in spots. You can see the depths here:
http://mapserver.maptech.com/homepa...maptech.com/homepage/index.cfm&latlontype=DMS

Ralph

 

[Clutchcargo]

The max I hit there was about 80'. There's an small island that's a short scuba across the sandy bottom. Get your compass heading straight before descending.
The dive plan that I always take is enter the left side and compass your way out to the island and go around the outside and back. My air consumption usually works out perfectly so that I'm close to shore when it's time to ascend. Once you hit the island you swim on the outside of it and at the far end there's a wall that drops down to about 80' depending on tide. There is a bit of current on the outside but it's not unmanageable. Inside the cove the visibility is usually 3-6' and at the furthest point, the best I've seen is probably around 15'.
I've never heard anyone say that the left side should be avoided.
I usually head down to RI when the waters around Cape Ann are still to cold for diving wet.
Have fun
Cliff

 

[Soggy]

I usually dive the left cove, since it is deeper and there are usually fewer people. You can enter from the main parking lot or you can do a more difficult entry closer to the deeper side by going into the parking lot nearer to the Fort itself.

I reached 75 feet on a dive there and was hanging out over a ledge that probably dropped another 15 ft below me.

Personally, I have never found Fort Wetherhill a decent dive. Vis usually sucks bad, getting in and out at low tide can be a pain in the butt over in the left cove, and it's twice the drive as Cape Ann. The only cool thing I ever saw there were hundreds of large jellyfish of some sort....they were cool to see, but a bit unnerving, as well, considering I almost fell face first into one on the surface trying to get into the water!

 

[gfisher4792]

I haven't gone far enough out on that side to hit deeper depths, but there is a major shipping channel and it is quite deep, over 120 in spots. You can see the depths here:
http://mapserver.maptech.com/homepa...maptech.com/homepage/index.cfm&latlontype=DMS

Ralph

When you click this link, you can hit the "Nautical Chart" Tab near the top of the page for more accurate depth readings and a closer zoom.

 

[michaelp68]

Thanks to all of you for the information.

 

[busraider1]

From southern RI originally, now in the middle of nowhere (also a great breakfast nook off RT 95 in exeter RI)the left side of the entrance drops out onto the shipping lane.. Pretty dramatic drop off, you have to swim at least 1/2 mile or so until you hit the shipping lane, so don't forget to turn around and head back towards land, otherwise (look-out). If you start out on the left side of the cove, and swim along the pennisula you can make a very memorable dive by going all the way around to the right side near the boat ramp. Weekend dives there are hard during the summer (outta state certification) classes everywhere, but on a weekday, it's fairly empty. Access to a open kayak, will enable you to paddle out following the right side of the cove, heading south to the tip of jamestown. Large boulders and a steep drop off farther south of wetherhill is a great spot for every type of fish imaginable. And for comments about horrible visibility, you must be joking. That's ehy certification dives are done there by the masses. Some of the best vis in RI..can be found there. I've hard 30+ on many,many occasions. Stop by Ocean State scuba in jamestown, good advice about local spots. Dive at 45 minutes before slack.. won't have to worry about the current.


MichaelP68 you going to jamestown this weekend..???

 

[Soggy]

And for comments about horrible visibility, you must be joking. That's ehy certification dives are done there by the masses. Some of the best vis in RI..can be found there.

Nope, not joking. I've rarely had more than 5 ft of vis or so. One dive, two years ago, I had 15 ft or so. I've dived it at various times of the year and various times of day...always the same...crappy vis all the way out. People tell me about the great vis they get there....I've never seen it.

Everyone has different experiences, I guess. I'll head up to north shore. It's closer, more sites, better vis, and I am allowed to take the lobsters I see.

 

[busraider1]

fort wetherhill was 15 minutes from my house. ahhhhhh the old days.. now i have to pay 90 for a two tank dive in lake michigan.. bummer.. nothing beats a free shore dive... especially when carrying a spear gun.. and having a lobster licesnce... someday i'll get to taste the salt water again on a more regualr basis.

 

[MSilvia]

Vis aside, I've always liked Fort Wetherill for the possibility of seeing tropical fish that have been swept north by the gulf stream. In august several years ago I came across a juvenile 4 spot butterfly fish on the outer right-hand entrance to the cove in about 40 fsw.