Oyster Diver
Contributor
Last weekend I made six dives out of Ocean City, Maryland. The first two were on the Saetia. The Saetia is a freighter that sank in 1918 after hitting a mine. The wreck is in 105 feet with plenty of structure remaining. Getting into the water the visibility was around 5 feet and this continued till about 80 feet, but then it opened up to 30-35 feet of visibility. During the first dive I followed the hull plates towards the bow and was rewarded by finding a lobster hiding under one of the plates. Unfortunately my grab was a little slow and he got away. On the second dive I went a little farther and swam through the bow section, but since the bottom temperature was 50F I got a little cold in my wetsuit and called the dive.
The second trip was to the Washingtonian, visibility and temperatures were about the same as the previous dive and I definitely got cold. The Wreck is in about 95 feet of water and is on its side. There is plenty to see, but I wasnt able to locate any brass or lobsters. After a long surface interval, we got in the water for the night dive. I was all ready to grab any lobsters that may have come out of there holes, but none showed themselves. My wife was very disappointed.
On Sunday we went to the Marine Electric. If you havent been to it yet then GO! DO NOT MISS THIS WRECK. This wreck is incredible, it lays on its side in 130 feet of water. We did two dives on the stern section which rises up to about 80 feet. The water was much clearer on the surface than the previous day and the thermocline was much lower although the bottom temperature was still 50F. There are plenty of things to see and ample penetration opportunities for the trained. I stayed mostly outside, ducking into a couple of corridors just to see (but not swiming anywhere) and swimming through the funnel which is lying on the sand. I bagged up some mussels and dreamed of taking one of the portholes that are on the wreck. If you need a reason to do deco diving this wreck will give it to you.
Next week Im headed to the Outer Banks and may do some diving there. Otherwise Ill have to wait for the end of August and the Hvoslef to get back in the water.
The second trip was to the Washingtonian, visibility and temperatures were about the same as the previous dive and I definitely got cold. The Wreck is in about 95 feet of water and is on its side. There is plenty to see, but I wasnt able to locate any brass or lobsters. After a long surface interval, we got in the water for the night dive. I was all ready to grab any lobsters that may have come out of there holes, but none showed themselves. My wife was very disappointed.
On Sunday we went to the Marine Electric. If you havent been to it yet then GO! DO NOT MISS THIS WRECK. This wreck is incredible, it lays on its side in 130 feet of water. We did two dives on the stern section which rises up to about 80 feet. The water was much clearer on the surface than the previous day and the thermocline was much lower although the bottom temperature was still 50F. There are plenty of things to see and ample penetration opportunities for the trained. I stayed mostly outside, ducking into a couple of corridors just to see (but not swiming anywhere) and swimming through the funnel which is lying on the sand. I bagged up some mussels and dreamed of taking one of the portholes that are on the wreck. If you need a reason to do deco diving this wreck will give it to you.
Next week Im headed to the Outer Banks and may do some diving there. Otherwise Ill have to wait for the end of August and the Hvoslef to get back in the water.
