Recent Dive to the Oriskany

[DiveLvr]

This isn'tr really a discussion topic but I dove on the Oriskany yesterday. It was my first time there. The 1st 20-35 ft had bad visibility but once you decended past that the viz was 40 ft or so. There was hardly any current at all. Water temp on the surface was 72 and at 110ft it was about 67. I dove a 7mm farmer john without the top. The wreck was awesome looking lit with the slightly tinged sun light, slightly sppoky. I went down to about 119 ft but most of my time was at 95'. There was a tremendous amount of fish, especially large (25"+) amberjack. The surface conditions weren't so good. 2-3ft seas with a southern wind made the boat rock a good bit, heavily at times. While ties to the wreck I fought sea sickness most of the time. One of our team was barfing a good bit. All in all, great dive. From the rough boat ride and the deep depths plus me not being used to this type of diving I slept 14 hours! I'm getting too old for this stuff. The 4 guys on the boat with me were marines in their late 20's and very experienced divers and they looked worn out as well. They did hang a memorial bell (the bell was a scuba tank cut in half with a clapper attached inside) for their friend that died recently from a accidental gun shot. Their friend always wanted to dive the wreck so this was hung in his honor. These were reaslly some tight friends.

Because of the dimished natural lighting, this being my 1st time on the wreck,and wanting to sight see I didn't try to take any pictures. Next time I go I will try photography.

DiveLvr

 

[nolatom]

Thanks for the report. I dived her when she was still a gray ship and the deck near the island was 137, then again about 3 years later when a "brown" ship, with the deck near the island then at 145 or so. If I recall right, your 119' would get you to the Admiral's bridge but not the captain's bridge?

I plan on going back every couple of years. There's lots to dive on farther inshore, too, Pensacola's a good venue.

 

[The Chairman]

Interesting report. 2-3 seas doesn't sound that bad to me.

 

[KY_BOB]

Thanks for the report. I hope to dive it in 3 weeks.

 

[JunoKiloMike]

DivLvr
I recently Joined Scubaboard and noticed your Post regarding you recent dive on Oriskany
I was Certified in 1985 and have logged about 60 dives since that time mostly, shallow dives of less than 60 ft, but have been fortunate to dive on guided deeper dives in Mexico, Oahu, Maui, and Bermuda. I am planning to retire soon and hope to increase my diving experience. Especially I would like to dive Oriskany as I served on her a total of about 16 months during the Vietnam war as an aircraft Electrician in Fighter Squadron VF-111 in 1966 & 67.

Also, Your profile states you were an instructor and your depth on Big O indicates you are an experienced diver. If you don't mind, I have some technical questions about the
Dive Tables I'd like to ask since they never were made clear to me. If thats Ok, please respond.

Thanks
junkilmik

 

[pelagic_by_nature]

Thanks for the report. I dived her when she was still a gray ship and the deck near the island was 137, then again about 3 years later when a "brown" ship, with the deck near the island then at 145 or so. If I recall right, your 119' would get you to the Admiral's bridge but not the captain's bridge?

I plan on going back every couple of years. There's lots to dive on farther inshore, too, Pensacola's a good venue.

So, it's settled 8' deeper in3 years?

 

[gcbryan]

DivLvr
I recently Joined Scubaboard and noticed your Post regarding you recent dive on Oriskany
I was Certified in 1985 and have logged about 60 dives since that time mostly, shallow dives of less than 60 ft, but have been fortunate to dive on guided deeper dives in Mexico, Oahu, Maui, and Bermuda. I am planning to retire soon and hope to increase my diving experience. Especially I would like to dive Oriskany as I served on her a total of about 16 months during the Vietnam war as an aircraft Electrician in Fighter Squadron VF-111 in 1966 & 67.

Also, Your profile states you were an instructor and your depth on Big O indicates you are an experienced diver. If you don't mind, I have some technical questions about the
Dive Tables I'd like to ask since they never were made clear to me. If thats Ok, please respond.

Thanks
junkilmik

Ask your questions and I'm sure they will be answered

 

[MRXRAY]

It settled quite a bit after the last couple of "Big Storms" that blew through, inlcuding blowing the smoke stack sheet metal onto the deck of the "O", making a giant swim through. The "O" is truely a great dive, and having quite a few dives on her reminds me each time how much of just the tower I still have to see.

So, it's settled 8' deeper in3 years?

 

[sontek]

What type of boat were you in? 2-3 feet shouldn't have been an issue

Thanks for the report!

 

[deeper thoughts]

thnx for the report