Questions about diving the U853

[mfalco]

I notice you are from Cape Cod. You migh want to ask the guys at the Dive locker in Hyannis. (www.capedivelocker.com) They do alot of wreck diving in the area, and are actually running charters next summer. I would be surprised if they can't answer all your questions.

 

[oceancrest67]

I'm glad you're considering getting training to advance to the next level of diving for you! I've known some divers that have figured it out from reading, but that's dicey, you don't know what you may have missed. Technical diving has come a long ways this past 5 years. In the past many have gotten bent and worse and we learned from those mistakes.

Out here in the Monterey Bay area, we lost 7 divers this year. Almost without exception each death resulted from diving in conditions that were beyond the diver's ability combined with medical problems (like heart attack). I saw in a previous post that there was 15 knott winds and 5 foot swells and that it was not a diving day. I don't know if that means something different on the East coast, but out here, that's a pretty divable day. We've been out in 12 foot swells without that much difficulty, but you do have to know what you're doing though.

I think it best to learn from those before us, take classes from other well trained and experienced instructors. The competence you'll gain will all be worth it! I dove for over 25 years before getting some tech training and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.

It is always sad to hear about those who lost their lives diving. You are right to point out conditions that can go beyond a diver's ability. I have been diving for 13 years and I always take the time to respect the conditions, even changing conditions underwater.

Diving in 12 foot swells can be a bit tricky. I am assuming this is with a core group of very experienced divers that run out on a special charter boat?

I mostly dive the wrecks off Hatteras, NC and the boat captain makes the determination whether to go out on rough days or not. Six foot swells can be a rough run for any range of experienced divers. Four foot swells are nicer. Think about a moving ladder and being loaded down with gear: doubles, deco bottles etc.

Just my O2

 

[jduncan]

Thanks everyone. We are going to be takign the Diver Stress and Rescue course from Dive locker very soon. We've already talked to him about it. So, that will be first. We have heard it's a great course.

 

[Sean222]

Hello all...

Looking to survey dive the U853 this spring or summer. I have a few questions for people that have been there...

At 130 feet, I can't imagine I would have more than about 5 minutes down there on regular air staying within the NDLs of my computer. I suppose it would vary, but thats what I am guessing...

I'm planning to take my own boat- I've read there are several moorings, is that true? Are there many non-commercial boats that dive the wreck?

Is it worth only going down for a few minutes, or should I train for deco diving before I go?

Jeff

I am just getting onto this thread, having just come home from a week of vacation in the Keys.
Let me share a few thoughts based on 16 years and about 40 dives on the U-853.
I also run my own boat and there are many other private boats that run there. Do yourself a favor, dive it on a weekday and you will many times, have the whole wreck to yourself.
The maximum depth is 130' but my max depth on most dives has been less that 120'
130' is to the sand. The deck is at 110' We usually do a 13 minute(on air) dive on it.
I would recommend that you work up to that kind of depth. That being said, you really can approach the dive from several approaches. You can keep it simple and dive it with a single 80, a pony bottle and air or you can go with the tech approach.
Either one is fine. I personally dive it in a wetsuit, a 100 cf steel and a 30 cf pony.
This has worked fine for me. If you want to go the tech approach with drysuits, doubles, mixed gas etc. that is fine too. I just prefer to keep things simple.

 

[trimixer860]

Hello all...

Looking to survey dive the U853 this spring or summer. I have a few questions for people that have been there...

At 130 feet, I can't imagine I would have more than about 5 minutes down there on regular air staying within the NDLs of my computer. I suppose it would vary, but thats what I am guessing...

I'm planning to take my own boat- I've read there are several moorings, is that true? Are there many non-commercial boats that dive the wreck?

Is it worth only going down for a few minutes, or should I train for deco diving before I go?

Jeff

Hey Jeff the 853 is a great dive. When i first started dive, i use to dive it on air all the time. Id use and 80cf tank on my back and a 80 cf tank on a sling. You can easly do a 12 to 15 minute dive with all most no deco if you stay above the deck. There was two or three mooring on the wreck most of the year. Ive been on over a dozen times this year and only twice there was a nother boat there. If your going to go on the weekend go mid day. I was out a few weeks back and there was still two moorings on it. If you try to dive it take your time dont rush and as others have posted bring a pony bottle or sling a tank. It would also be a good idea to stay in sight of the mooring line the first time you dive it. Good luck Jeff

 

[pir8]

Is it worth only going down for a few minutes, or should I train for deco diving before I go?

Jeff

When doing advanced diving, more traing is always a good idea!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[wreckvalle]

Here is a web site for the U-853
http://www.aquaexplorers.com/u-853_shipwreck.htm

 

[Gilldiver]

Danny, will you have a booth at BTS this year? Also, any week day runs for 2007?

Pete Johnson

 

[wreckvalle]

No booth at BTS but yes I will be running the boat for some week day trips.
http://www.aquaexplorers.com/wreck_valley_charter_boat.htm

Safe Diving
Capt. Dan