Tampico_ED
Contributor
The Drive
Few days ago a group of eight divers drove down to Morehead City, NC. We headed our way, Led by Red, a famous shop owner in RI. On a trip that took about 14hrs with no incident (we escape the Hurricane that night on DC) or heavy traffic thru NYC, DC, Baltimore, etc..
We arrived at the Buccaneers’ Hotel around 1:00 PM on Thursday. The city was very busy due an Air Show and a Fishing championship. The weather was awesome about 101o F, however it was dry no sweat at all. We started to get ready for the boat ride the next day. We were asked to check-in on Olympus Dive Center (ODC) Shop, which worked great as we filled out the paperwork and filled tanks to their pre-mix 30 EAN.
Boating
The next day we met at 7:00 AM at the dock. We loaded the boat with our gear; expectations grow as we left the dock into the harbor. After the first mate (Fred) briefing it was time to decide according to reports on the weather where to go. The group quickly suggested the famous U-352, as second dive it was decided to do the Spar. After two hours of riding we arrived to the U-boat, once again we were briefed on the conditions after they secured the anchored to the wreck. The captain (Bob) strongly suggested keeping on the morning line to go under, due to a mid-water current. My dive buddy Ben got ready; at this point I had two options use my still camera or my video setup. I decided to take my still camera primarily due to all the great pictures I have seen before.
As a prediction right down to 40ft a strong current was present. Just like a little child not listening, once I saw the wreck and let go the line (from 50ft you could see the bottom). Yeah, guess what, I almost burst my heart out of my chest trying to swim against the current (drysuit, deco bottle and Aquatica housing dragging along). I pretty much killed my dive just trying to reach the beautiful scene ahead, vis was about 80ft. With little time put effort to setup my camera…no chance to swim across the submarine (110ft). Beautiful wreck full of life everywhere…perfect for macro or wide photography. In one of the picture taken on a section of the wreck close to the conning tower; you can see a sea cucumber, a starfish, sea lion and more ...The enjoyment was short and the ascent long after running on a little of deco ; although ODC recommend not go into deco the temptation is unbearable. Hanging on the line is not an obligation but more a pleasure. Surrounded by barracudas, jelly fish, blue water and angel fish with the jacks.
U-352
Wrecks
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Sub/_MG_2712_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Sub/_MG_2701_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Sub/_MG_2704_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Sub/_MG_2705_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Sub/_MG_2714_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Sub/_MG_2722_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Sub/_MG_2715_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Sub/_MG_2724_edited-1-1.jpg
The Spar
After almost two hour’s surface interval, we gear-up and went down to the old Coast Guard cutter. Vis at this time still was good 80vis. We were advice by Fred of the sighting of few sharks at the foot of the wreck nearby the bow. I could not hide my emotions and without hesitation took once again my still camera. Ben went first and almost reached the morning line at the tip of the bow, before I could catch-up with him.
I really want to thank Ben for being close to me watch over my shoulders I’m such of a bad buddy when playing with my camera. The wreck once more was a beautiful upright almost intact structure full of life, urich everywhere, thankfully once you get pinch once you do not feel it anymore. As you might have guessed, once on the bow deck we drop as fast to the bottom located about 30ft down. Conditions could not be better almost no current and there they were about four midsize sand sharks. This was my so waited time the shark dive, an accomplishment feeling flooded my insides. I hurry up to shot as many photos as I could at 100s Ft of water the time is never enough. They were a little bit shy and hard to get close to (I had to wait more days before the big moment). Below are some of the shots, when the air reserves grew low we headed to the deck at 80 Ft and proceed to shoot more. Overall this wreck is great for penetration and long….I know from the other divers (in total the boat took 20) who did the length of the wreck.
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2734_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2735_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2754_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2771_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2800_edited-7.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2765_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2770_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2759_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2743_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2737_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2779_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2819_edited-1-1.jpg
The Papoose
On Saturday we repeated the routine and headed to another famous NC wreck the Papoose. The condition were not as great as the day before small current and poor vis 60ft (According to the Capt. Bob this month June vis is not the best). This wreck is upside down the most time I spent was on his belly. Once again we found sharks this time there was a big one around 6’, plenty of lionfish, angel, small fish everywhere. This time I took my video setup, a little HV20 on Ikelite housing. Swam around the wreck trying to video the lion fish and the sharks. This time my air consumption was a lot better more relax dive. Little we knew that the Boat Captain decided to stay on the same wreck for our second dive. This time we went to the other section of the wreckage, I did not have enough time to check it all out. But, the video depicts the layout of the wreck and sea life. I will post the video later on this same post. No pictures taken on this site !
Wrecks
The Atlas
The wreck, great for multilevel diving, with many options to descent from 80-125ft. Atlas offered the highlights of the trip; once again the conditions were not that great medium current vis around the 60ft. The main structure is composed of three decks top-down to the sand. Very similar to a small building without all the walls or ceiling. The site was full of sharks, probably if my count is right around ten. Several of a significant size and this time they were very curious. Which allow me to get very close and actually touch one of them, without hesitation will say they are very docile. For several minutes we stayed on the same spot getting acquainted with the new friends. Also, we could not avoid paying attention to the fishing techniques use by the angels and jacks fish. Packs of jack pursued the school of fish then are join by the angel fish closing in the little fish and in fact creating a trap. On the first dive I took my still ( see pics below) and video on the second.
http://www.olympusdiving.com/Diving/Shipwrecks/Wrecks/tabid/111/Default.aspx?PageContentID=51]Wrecks
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2852_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2911_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2905_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2874_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2900_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2902_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2946_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2901_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2899_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2954_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2862_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2932_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2898_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2931_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2825_edited-1-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2831_edited-1.jpg
Divers
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/IMG_2204_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/IMG_2205_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/IMG_2206_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/IMG_2207.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/IMG_2215_edited-1.jpg
The End
The trip was great; maybe next time will stay longer and dive more. The crew and staff at ODC were great and exceeded my expectations by much. Thanks for the divers on the boat !
Ed
Few days ago a group of eight divers drove down to Morehead City, NC. We headed our way, Led by Red, a famous shop owner in RI. On a trip that took about 14hrs with no incident (we escape the Hurricane that night on DC) or heavy traffic thru NYC, DC, Baltimore, etc..
We arrived at the Buccaneers’ Hotel around 1:00 PM on Thursday. The city was very busy due an Air Show and a Fishing championship. The weather was awesome about 101o F, however it was dry no sweat at all. We started to get ready for the boat ride the next day. We were asked to check-in on Olympus Dive Center (ODC) Shop, which worked great as we filled out the paperwork and filled tanks to their pre-mix 30 EAN.
Boating
The next day we met at 7:00 AM at the dock. We loaded the boat with our gear; expectations grow as we left the dock into the harbor. After the first mate (Fred) briefing it was time to decide according to reports on the weather where to go. The group quickly suggested the famous U-352, as second dive it was decided to do the Spar. After two hours of riding we arrived to the U-boat, once again we were briefed on the conditions after they secured the anchored to the wreck. The captain (Bob) strongly suggested keeping on the morning line to go under, due to a mid-water current. My dive buddy Ben got ready; at this point I had two options use my still camera or my video setup. I decided to take my still camera primarily due to all the great pictures I have seen before.
As a prediction right down to 40ft a strong current was present. Just like a little child not listening, once I saw the wreck and let go the line (from 50ft you could see the bottom). Yeah, guess what, I almost burst my heart out of my chest trying to swim against the current (drysuit, deco bottle and Aquatica housing dragging along). I pretty much killed my dive just trying to reach the beautiful scene ahead, vis was about 80ft. With little time put effort to setup my camera…no chance to swim across the submarine (110ft). Beautiful wreck full of life everywhere…perfect for macro or wide photography. In one of the picture taken on a section of the wreck close to the conning tower; you can see a sea cucumber, a starfish, sea lion and more ...The enjoyment was short and the ascent long after running on a little of deco ; although ODC recommend not go into deco the temptation is unbearable. Hanging on the line is not an obligation but more a pleasure. Surrounded by barracudas, jelly fish, blue water and angel fish with the jacks.
U-352
Wrecks
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Sub/_MG_2712_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Sub/_MG_2701_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Sub/_MG_2704_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Sub/_MG_2705_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Sub/_MG_2714_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Sub/_MG_2722_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Sub/_MG_2715_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Sub/_MG_2724_edited-1-1.jpg
The Spar
After almost two hour’s surface interval, we gear-up and went down to the old Coast Guard cutter. Vis at this time still was good 80vis. We were advice by Fred of the sighting of few sharks at the foot of the wreck nearby the bow. I could not hide my emotions and without hesitation took once again my still camera. Ben went first and almost reached the morning line at the tip of the bow, before I could catch-up with him.
I really want to thank Ben for being close to me watch over my shoulders I’m such of a bad buddy when playing with my camera. The wreck once more was a beautiful upright almost intact structure full of life, urich everywhere, thankfully once you get pinch once you do not feel it anymore. As you might have guessed, once on the bow deck we drop as fast to the bottom located about 30ft down. Conditions could not be better almost no current and there they were about four midsize sand sharks. This was my so waited time the shark dive, an accomplishment feeling flooded my insides. I hurry up to shot as many photos as I could at 100s Ft of water the time is never enough. They were a little bit shy and hard to get close to (I had to wait more days before the big moment). Below are some of the shots, when the air reserves grew low we headed to the deck at 80 Ft and proceed to shoot more. Overall this wreck is great for penetration and long….I know from the other divers (in total the boat took 20) who did the length of the wreck.
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2734_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2735_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2754_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2771_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2800_edited-7.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2765_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2770_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2759_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2743_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2737_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2779_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Spark/_MG_2819_edited-1-1.jpg
The Papoose
On Saturday we repeated the routine and headed to another famous NC wreck the Papoose. The condition were not as great as the day before small current and poor vis 60ft (According to the Capt. Bob this month June vis is not the best). This wreck is upside down the most time I spent was on his belly. Once again we found sharks this time there was a big one around 6’, plenty of lionfish, angel, small fish everywhere. This time I took my video setup, a little HV20 on Ikelite housing. Swam around the wreck trying to video the lion fish and the sharks. This time my air consumption was a lot better more relax dive. Little we knew that the Boat Captain decided to stay on the same wreck for our second dive. This time we went to the other section of the wreckage, I did not have enough time to check it all out. But, the video depicts the layout of the wreck and sea life. I will post the video later on this same post. No pictures taken on this site !
Wrecks
The Atlas
The wreck, great for multilevel diving, with many options to descent from 80-125ft. Atlas offered the highlights of the trip; once again the conditions were not that great medium current vis around the 60ft. The main structure is composed of three decks top-down to the sand. Very similar to a small building without all the walls or ceiling. The site was full of sharks, probably if my count is right around ten. Several of a significant size and this time they were very curious. Which allow me to get very close and actually touch one of them, without hesitation will say they are very docile. For several minutes we stayed on the same spot getting acquainted with the new friends. Also, we could not avoid paying attention to the fishing techniques use by the angels and jacks fish. Packs of jack pursued the school of fish then are join by the angel fish closing in the little fish and in fact creating a trap. On the first dive I took my still ( see pics below) and video on the second.
http://www.olympusdiving.com/Diving/Shipwrecks/Wrecks/tabid/111/Default.aspx?PageContentID=51]Wrecks
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2852_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2911_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2905_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2874_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2900_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2902_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2946_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2901_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2899_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2954_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2862_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2932_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2898_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2931_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2825_edited-1-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/Atlas/_MG_2831_edited-1.jpg
Divers
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/IMG_2204_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/IMG_2205_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/IMG_2206_edited-1.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/IMG_2207.jpg
http://amazing-ocean.com/images/IMG_2215_edited-1.jpg
The End
The trip was great; maybe next time will stay longer and dive more. The crew and staff at ODC were great and exceeded my expectations by much. Thanks for the divers on the boat !
Ed
