Possible oriskany trip

[spacemanspiff1974]

Hey guys. Have a few questions. Here is the scenario:

I have the option of driving from Houston to Florida in a couple of weeks for an oriskany trip. I've been told that it would be one dive per day as the boats are generally small and we would all be bringing either twin-sets and Al 80's for deco or CCRs and all that they entail. I dive OC.

Anyway - I'd like to maximize my dive time and see a few features but don't want to blow through all my backgas fighting current. I imagine some of you would know if this dive would be ok current wise.

Dive down to around 180' -200' to see the props (or are they deeper?) for a couple of minutes, followed by swimming along the starboard side just below the flight deck till I get to the tower. I'd then spend my remaining time and deco on the tower. I'd probably be using a 18/40 mix. With EAN50 for deco.

Second dive would be a direct swim through of the hangar bay followed by checking out the flight deck and deco on the tower. I'm not wreck certified so if the hangar bay requires no line of sight to one exit to another please let me know. This would actually be my first visit to an aircraft carrier -sunken or otherwise.

Based on general current conditions and the blueprints of the , is this a good plan?

 

[Blackwood]

One bottle to deco out on with 18/45 backgas... not so much.

I'd throw an O2 bottle on top of that.

 

[Atomic_Diver]

You will love the orisksny its an awesome dive... when I was there we did a max dive depth to about 140' useing EAN29 and we did It as a non deco while breathing EAN40 at the 5min saftey stop at 15'... the deck is about 132' and I belive the prop is at 215' deep, and when I was there the current wasn't that bad, I would be very careful penatrating this wreck so you don't stir up any silt or your bubbles dislodge anything, I belive the control tower would be the easyiest penetration.

Hope this helps...

safe diving

 

[Atomic_Diver]

I am not trimix certified; just adv nitrox, But I would seriously second the idea of an O2 bottle

 

[dab]

Generally current is unpredictable. It may be there one day and not the next. On a wreck as big as the Oriskany, you shouldn't have a problem getting out of the current once you are on bottom. Definately take 02. Not only will it shorten your deco, it gives you an option should someone have a problem on the surface.

 

[spacemanspiff1974]

Thanks for the input. I hadn't run the numbers when posted regarding deco mixes. Mostly I was wondering about the current and whether a port to starboard or vice versa swimthrough of the hangar bay is possible without wreck penetration training. If it is a silty maze in there I'm certainly not going to do it without training. If you can see from one side to the other then I'd like to give it a go.

 

[Colliam7]

Mostly I was wondering about the current and whether a port to starboard or vice versa swimthrough of the hangar bay is possible without wreck penetration training. If it is a silty maze in there I'm certainly not going to do it without training. If you can see from one side to the other then I'd like to give it a go.

The current is variable, and can be almost nonexistant, or ripping. You will want to hear from the operator when you are there about the recent conditions, but that is no guarantee, as I have seen it change dramatically from day to day. The swimthrough is quite possible. I found it easier from starboard to port, but that was only because it was easier to swim aft from the island and descend to the hangar deck on the starboard side to start. You can easily see the openings from one side to the other and the hangar deck is more than large enough to swim through without stirring up any sediment. CAVEAT: I saw a post a while back that suggested the recent Gulf hurricane had impacted the O's position, and hopefully someone who has been there in the last month will also comment.

 

[brockbr]

A swim through of the hanger deck from starboard to port is the easiest - Go to the forward end of the tower, and drop down the side. You'll see an entrance there - It's about 6-8' wide. You won't be able to see the other side until you're about 10' in, but it will be VERY obvious (this is due to a slight kink in the entrance).

Once inside, you can easily see the light to the port side, BUT, be very careful... If the current is ripping then an exit on the starboard side puts you across the deck from the tower. Also, the floor of the hanger deck is at 165' (+/-).

Another good swimming dive is to enter the hanger deck, and swim aft. This keeps you out of the current (usually running from stern). Exit the hanger deck at the rear aircraft elevators on the left (you can't miss them - BIG hole in the side ). If there is any current, you won't swim against it while inside, and it will push you to the tower on the outside.

Props are at 225' (+/-) - The sand around the ship is normally shallower (215'), but the props blew out some sand when it dropped down.

...and if I was on OC, I wouldn't even THINK about doing those dives without 100% with me. The top of the tower is at 70' - Your deco won't really start until after you're on the line. And bring a Jon-line

Oh yeah - If you're not cave or wreck certified, stay with the big swim through and stay off the hanger floor, or you'll have a very "unhappy" dive

b.