Poling/Chelsea 10/12

[reefseal]

Fran Marceaux of Cape Ann Charters sent a saying he had one slot open on Sun AM's Poling, Wreck of Chelsea. I jumped at it. (Jim, let's get out next Sun AM!)

Was a great day. Sunny, no wind. The boat was full with 7 of us divers, 5 of us diving doubles. Was tight but we managed.

First dive was poling. I went in first and had the wreck to myself for the first 20 min or so. Vis was pretty good.
Bottom time 45 min
Doubles w/ 32 EAN
Depth 97 fsw
Temp at dept 46 to 50 degrees, at 15 fsw to surface 55-56 degrees

I chose to dive wet. I haven't pulled out dry suit stuff and was rigged for wet. I wasn't too cold as only down for 45 min. Had I came up with just over 1000 psi. Had I stayed a bit longer, would have started to get cold

1 and 45 min SI, plenty of time to change over backplate/wings to single tank before the others came up. Took off top of wetsuit, put on my fleece jacket and warmed up on the nice leisurly ride to the Chelsea munching on Cantelope and Oreos the crew provided.

Matt poured a bucket of hot water down into my wetsuit and felt so good. It helped keep my core temp up during the 2nd dive.

This was my first dive on the Chelsea. It's a small wreck but a cool dive. I followed the channel from the wreck checking out the wreckage along the way.
38 min bottom time Max depth 83 fsw
Steel 112 diving air
Temp at depth 48-50 degrees

Again, 1st one in and out

It was a great ride back, Matt put out the folding chair and i took a power nap. Woke as arrived to bridge.

Fran and Matt are the best crew. Fran even hauled up my doubles! I didn't expect him to but he got them up to car before I could get back.

A great day.

 

[RIOceanographer]

I almost signed up for that same trip.... your post has me kicking myself for not doing it!

Fran and Matt are top notch, I hope I can get out with them again before he shuts down for the season.

 

[dave4868]

Nice report!

I was down in Cape Ann all weekend for non-diving R&R including some fishing from shore. The water looked pretty clear.

What was the vis on the wreck? To me, "pretty good" means about 20' for that dive. Just curious what your estimate might be.

Dave C

 

[lord1234]

Dude! I wish I had known it was you. I was the youngest of the "GUE" crowd.

Shoulda spoken up! And you definitely shoudl have come for a bowl of chowder. It was AWESOME.

BTW for those interested i think fran is pulling the boat in early november...so get out with him soon! His boat is top notch!

 

[reefseal]

pretty good is about 20 feet. Though I have dove it before where you could see it clearly from decent at about 20 feet from surface. Blew my mind. It was rare winter day after calm seas

 

[reefseal]

Dude! I wish I had known it was you. I was the youngest of the "GUE" crowd.

Shoulda spoken up! And you definitely shoudl have come for a bowl of chowder. It was AWESOME

Would have loved to have joined you guys. I called the wife to check if OK, she was hoping for me to get back soon as she wanted us to all go together to a Corn Maze/Harvest fair thing. I looked inside, it looked kind of croweded. I would have been pushing it had I gone in with you guys.

I forgot to ask if any of you were part of the board to see names I recognized. I usually do. I did a good thorough wash/shampoo of booties, wet suit and gloves. Out comes the Dry suit and extra hose now.