USS Oriskany - Preparing for the inevitable

[dandrian]

well, the deck, at 130 feet, is at the edge of rec diving limits.

i've never been that deep, but i'd like to try. i probably wouldn't do it with a single
tank.

A group I was with was diving in NC last fall in 125 ft. with single 100's and I would say the average total dive time was 35 minutes. That was just long enough on the bottom, about 15 minutes, to keep you out of deco stops and the rest of the time was desending, ascending and safety stops.

However, I think there will be plenty of this wreck to see that will be in recreational limits.

Ok heres a question, how do you go about sinking an 800ft ship with some amount of control so it doesnt end up like the Spigel Grove?

 

[archman]

Ok heres a question, how do you go about sinking an 800ft ship with some amount of control so it doesnt end up like the Spigel Grove?

If it sinks sideways, wait for a hurricane to come along and fix it.

 

[Rick Murchison]

Ok heres a question, how do you go about sinking an 800ft ship with some amount of control so it doesnt end up like the Spigel Grove?

The flooding plan is quite detailed and controlled. Basically they'll lower the stern to the bottom, which will be less than a 15 degree pitch, and then settle the rest. Not much chance for a roll with a ship this big so shallow. The navy's been sinking ships intentionally in the upright position for many years.
Just as an aside, the flight deck is over 200' wide - were the ship to be rolled over on its side the shallowest part wouldn't be at 60' anymore, it'd be awash at the surface.
It's a big boat.
Rick

 

[dandrian]

Just as an aside, the flight deck is over 200' wide - were the ship to be rolled over on its side the shallowest part wouldn't be at 60' anymore, it'd be awash at the surface.
It's a big boat.
Rick

That really does put it in prospective as to its size. :jawsdown: GEES, upright its at 200'+ and on its side its out of the water.

So as someone mentioned in jest before, is there not a chance that a hurricane could come along and mess with it? I know its big, but with everything that has happened in the last year or so, I am giving mother nature all the room and respect she deserves.

 

[scubadobadoo]

Here are some photos. For the average rec diver, this dive will ONLY be about that island tower section and while this section is big, it's no larger than any other wreck dive in the area. As evensplit said earlier, this will just be another dive. For most rec divers on this wreck, they won't be diving an aircraft carrier. They will be diving the smallest section of one and won't even be able to see the flight deck on many days from the top of the structure at 60 ft. And regardless of how good Pensacola diving is, 130fsw in Pensacola isn't 130 fsw in Key Largo on average. Nothing personal, just the facts.

I was recently in an island tower on an aircraft carrier and while it's pretty small compared to the rest of the ship, it is large enough to make a nice little dive.

I still think this wreck won't bring that much attention in the long run when the average rec diver does the math. Now, if you are a die hard wreck diver, I am very happy for you! I am also pleased that this wreck will be a fine artificial reef! That's awesome.

As for hurricanes, I do believe it's possible for one to come along and take the island tower completely off. I hope that doesn't happen because that would really make this sinking a waist. That would leave a boring flat object resting at 130ft.

 

[Rick Murchison]

is there not a chance that a hurricane could come along and mess with it

Well, yes...
Man has not yet made the ship that Neptune cannot destroy. Or the airplane that Vulcan can't smash on his forge. Or the building that a tornado or earthquake cannot flatten.
Rick

 

[H2Andy]

A group I was with was diving in NC last fall in 125 ft. with single 100's and I would say the average total dive time was 35 minutes. That was just long enough on the bottom, about 15 minutes, to keep you out of deco stops

ah.... 15 minutes on air at 125 feet is deco territory (not much, true... but deco),
so i guess they were using Nitrox, probably 29%, which does gives them about
15 minutes on the bottom

i can't do the calculations right now, but by the time you start up, you're
probably seriously compromised your ability to get yourself and a buddy
to the surface safely with the air remaining.

i have to wait til tonight to work that out, though, but that's my primary
concern with doing it with a single tank. it can be done, but i don't think
it's safe, should something go wrong with air supply.

 

[evensplit]

"And regardless of how good Pensacola diving is, 130fsw in Pensacola isn't 130 fsw in Key Largo on average. Nothing personal, just the facts."

Nothing personal, but I'm not sure what that means...what facts?

 

[tstonedvr]

I guess it's to do with viz....but like somebody said some days you get 100' some days you don't, but that is everywhere....I think you should have scooter races from one end of the deck to the other and back.....might make the X games....
Yarg

 

[scububa]

Well, yes...
Man has not yet made the ship that Neptune cannot destroy. Or the airplane that Vulcan can't smash on his forge. Or the building that a tornado or earthquake cannot flatten.
Rick

Doing It Religiously...:14:

Looks like you should have been buddy postin' there RM, you seem to have run out of gods :11doh:

I'd have provided Tempestes for the tornado, but then wouldn't have had enough gods to get us both out safe...maybe Fauna for the earthquake, but that seems a little weak :huh:

Jim