Short deco dive on the Crane yesterday

[matt_unique]

Best conditions I have ever seen on the Crane. Calm seas topside, minimal current, and great vis below. This was my first dive on the Crane where you would see more than 5' with ambient light. We had about 15' of vis at depth.

It is still very much winter in Massachusetts at 150'. Both my computers read 42 degrees at depth. Anticipating this we planned for a short deco dive with 15 min of bottom time. My buddy had bad luck with his lights. His light cannon died on the surface before it was even wet, then his (borrowed) backup light died at depth (Princeton Tek Surge). I unclipped my backup light and gave it to him. The ambient light was such that we really didn't need them for orientation but we wanted to look at things in detail. The wreck was quite clear of line today as well which was nice.

The structure is quite large - this wreck more closely resembles and oil rig than what most think of a "crane". I spotted a large lumpfish at depth - largest I have ever seen actually. He was hanging out underneath the crane structure.

We visited the end of the wreck in the sand, then cruised up toward the highest end (highest off the sand). Back to the mooring line for an ascent as our timers reached 15 minutes. Relatively short deco stops and back to the surface.

I need to verify the depth rating for the Surge. I just picked one up myself. I would be awfully surprised if it's not rated for 150'.

--Matt

 

[Soggy]

I'm headed to the crane next weekend. Looking forward to it!

 

[Soggy]

I haven't really found a good site description...any info would be helpful, Matt. What would you expect an average depth to be. We're planning 150 for gas requirements, but 140 for average depth/deco profile...sound about right?

 

[matt_unique]

I haven't really found a good site description...any info would be helpful, Matt. What would you expect an average depth to be. We're planning 150 for gas requirements, but 140 for average depth/deco profile...sound about right?

I know what you mean, I never found much information about this wreck either. A few trip reports before I dove it and that was about it. The crane fell off a barge in bad weather and ended up taking the barge with it. It's my understanding the barge has never been found though.

I think you're right on with your planning. You can do this dive at 140' no problem. I spent the majority of my last dive at 145'. You can hit 150' in the sand and the top of the wreck reaches high 120's. As I mentioned above be dressed for winter. 42 degrees on the bottom this past weekend. Fran set the mooring line at the beginning of the season and it's in good shape. The mooring line is set in the middle of the structure and you reach the base of the mooring at 130'. If the vis is as bad as it usually is I would suggest a strobe for the base of the mooring. The wreck runs almost exactly due East and West as I recall (will double check my log book).

--Matt

 

[Soggy]

How big is it and where (generally speaking) is it located?

Heather & Dave mentioned that either they or someone else had recently found the barge....probably not worth diving, though.

 

[matt_unique]

How big is it and where (generally speaking) is it located?

Heather & Dave mentioned that either they or someone else had recently found the barge....probably not worth diving, though.

The Crane is just off Thatcher Island (Gloucester). Thatcher Island is very unique with two light houses close together on each side of the small island. In terms of size...it's a few minutes kicking in each direction (from the mooring) to reach the end of the structure. I have not been to the very highest point of the wreck though. I have gone from the base of the mooring East to where the structure sits in the sand. I have finned a few minutes West "up" the crane but I have not been to the very end. Having not been to the highest end, I don't have a sense of the measured length. Heather/Dave would certainly know more about that.

--Matt