Just another Oriskany is awesome thread..07/21/12

[bbarnett51]

I finally got to dive her today. Incredibly we were the only boat out there and had it to ourselves! The weather was rough this morning and all the other charters cancelled. I dove with Down Under again and will use them everytime. I really enjoyed the crew and their boat.

The first dive was to 128' and that was the deepest I have been..no problems at all. I was narc'ed but nothing unusual. However there were 3 large Bull Sharks cruising around and that was awesome to see. I was surprised that seeing the flag actually moved me. I have seen pics a million times but to read the stories about the Mighty O and all the soldiers that came and went from her really got me in a patriotic mood. I was torn between the marine life and the actual wreck. Both were intensly interesting. The first dive was too fast and I really didn't have time to take it all in. I really enjoyed the second dive in EANX 32. With more time I didn't feel as rushed. However some of the things I really wanted to explore again were below my MOD. The vis was decent 60ft or so with little sunlight helping out. The barracuda were fun to see and paid several close visits.

Overall, I loved it! I cant wait to go back and explore some more!

And the mandatory flag pic

 

[drrich2]

Sounds like a fine time. Hope to do it someday (mainly because I was born in Pensacola, though I've spent little time in Florida). Bull sharks, huh? Nice.

Richard.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I've only been there once on a live aboard and only one day of that 3 day trip was diveable - at least in the opinion of the person who booked the charter and since I was crewing for her I could not really complain (but I'll never crew for her again or book a trip with her).

But the information I got from the boat crew suggested that bull sharks are more common in the early morning and evening when they show up at the O to dine. Twilight and night dives were not recommended...

 

[oldschool]

Sounds like fantastic dives. I'll be diving the "O" next week Monday(July 23rd). I was supposed to dive it a few weeks ago until tropical storm debbie showed up. Hopefully, I'll have better luck this time. I've also heard that night dives are not made on the "O" due to the number of bull sharks that congregate there at night. So far, I've only dived with nurse and whit tip reef sharks. I'm looking forward to the bulls.

 

[Hetland]

This isn't directed to the OP, but to Gulf-area divers in general. Most "bull" sharks are actually sandbar sharks, or other requiem sharks. Requiem sharks all look the same. Generally around here, when someone sees a shark that isn't a hammerhead, it's automatically assumed to be a bull shark. IRL, I have found bulls to be very rare. I'd say around 90 to 95 percent of the sharks I see in the Pensacola area are sandbar sharks, followed by nurse, then reef, then bull, then whale, then tiger, then sandtiger (I've only seen one each of the last three though) Bulls seem to be a little more prevalent as you move West, towards Dauphin Island, and Mobile Bay. There are several rivers adjoining Mobile Bay that are well-known as bull nurseries, and, the water is more turbid in that direction, which may also play a part in shark populations, but that's above my understanding.

I'm not immune to this either. Within certain size ranges, it's almost impossible to tell a sandbar from a bull, that's when video makes a difference, but sometimes video is useless too, as you have to have a decent shot and angle on the area between the dorsal and tail fin to be positive on the id. I've seen sharks I was sure were duskies, bulls, etc. that turned out to be sandbars . I've also seen a shark I was sure was a sandbar, but turned out to be a bull.

Anyway, the sharks are noticed in the morning because they would always be present on the Oriskany if it were not for divers. The sharks are leaving once the divers show up. The big (smart) groupers do the same thing.

Charter boats don't want to do night dives because they don't want to be looking for you when you come up off the line, and because it will interfere with their morning trips the next day. Just like sharks don't like our bubbles, they also don't care for our lights. While I would avoid diving the transition between daylight and dark (and the reverse), I've never had trouble with sharks on night dives. I've seen sharks on night dives, and their behavior seemed the same to me, though, I don't have much experience seeing them at night, so ymmv. I know people who spearfish at night, but that's pushing the envelope imho, I'm happy shooting photos if the lights are out

 

[bbarnett51]

This isn't directed to the OP, but to Gulf-area divers in general. Most "bull" sharks are actually sandbar sharks, or other requiem sharks. Requiem sharks all look the same. Generally around here, when someone sees a shark that isn't a hammerhead, it's automatically assumed to be a bull shark. IRL, I have found bulls to be very rare. I'd say around 90 to 95 percent of the sharks I see in the Pensacola area are sandbar sharks, followed by nurse, then reef, then bull, then whale, then tiger, then sandtiger (I've only seen one each of the last three though) Bulls seem to be a little more prevalent as you move West, towards Dauphin Island, and Mobile Bay. There are several rivers adjoining Mobile Bay that are well-known as bull nurseries, and, the water is more turbid in that direction, which may also play a part in shark populations, but that's above my understanding.

I'm not immune to this either. Within certain size ranges, it's almost impossible to tell a sandbar from a bull, that's when video makes a difference, but sometimes video is useless too, as you have to have a decent shot and angle on the area between the dorsal and tail fin to be positive on the id. I've seen sharks I was sure were duskies, bulls, etc. that turned out to be sandbars . I've also seen a shark I was sure was a sandbar, but turned out to be a bull.

Anyway, the sharks are noticed in the morning because they would always be present on the Oriskany if it were not for divers. The sharks are leaving once the divers show up. The big (smart) groupers do the same thing.

Charter boats don't want to do night dives because they don't want to be looking for you when you come up off the line, and because it will interfere with their morning trips the next day. Just like sharks don't like our bubbles, they also don't care for our lights. While I would avoid diving the transition between daylight and dark (and the reverse), I've never had trouble with sharks on night dives. I've seen sharks on night dives, and their behavior seemed the same to me, though, I don't have much experience seeing them at night, so ymmv. I know people who spearfish at night, but that's pushing the envelope imho, I'm happy shooting photos if the lights are out

I know next to nothing about sharks. I am just quoting the dive masters. There is one they call scar do to an obvious scar on it. They seemed knowledgeable about them but I certainly don't know. All I know is I am fascinated by them and these were a hell of a lot more intimidating than the white tips I've been around.

 

[bbarnett51]

Sounds like fantastic dives. I'll be diving the "O" next week Monday(July 23rd). I was supposed to dive it a few weeks ago until tropical storm debbie showed up. Hopefully, I'll have better luck this time. I've also heard that night dives are not made on the "O" due to the number of bull sharks that congregate there at night. So far, I've only dived with nurse and whit tip reef sharks. I'm looking forward to the bulls.

I think you will enjoy it. Make sure to really look into every area you can. There was a surprise every time I shined my light. The sharks were hanging out just outside of the flight deck in about 140-150' but made a few turns by us at 125-130. I only got a brief pic of one on my go pro.

I guess I have a thing for teeth bc I really liked the barracuda. They were suspended anywhere from 50-80' and were very curious. Several swam right up to my go pro to check it out. I didn't see any lion fish on the O but they were all over done of the other wrecks and I put my hand one inch from one coming out of the navy tug.

Anyway, have fun and send a report. Ill post some pics tonight or tomorrow.