What can you tell me about Eastcliff Hall and the Powerhouse?

[stisso]

We're going with some friends to these sites this weekend; the two taking us there are pretty seasoned divers, and we're also going with our instructor. Three of us are new divers (10 dives each). We're all pretty good at holding our own as far as buoyancy control, etc (my first certified dive was a ten knot current drift along a reef wall in Fiji! That was fun!)

Anyway, just wondering if you have any tips/forewarnings/advice as far as the site goes. I emailed my instructor to see if he knows the sites, as he's worried about the three newbies (what a sweetie!). We all did the Conestoga last week with no problems, if that can be compared at all...

Thanks in advance!

 

[pants!]

The Eastclifffe is a neat wreck, mostly because it's so recent. Be prepared for current, more so than you probably had on the Connie.. and of course it's a bit deeper as well. You have to stay on top of things, because, unlike the Connie, you're not right next to shore and if you get pushed off the wreck and can't get back you're in trouble. It's close to the shipping channel.

 

[darkstar]

Not at all like the Connie and your instructor is right to worry. The current is stronger , it's deeper and the Eastcliffe is HUGE. If you get lost and can't find the line (there are usually two), then you could be in big trouble if you panic. The vis is also usually a lot crappier than the Connie so take that into account. Inexperienced divers can also burn a lot of gas trying to fight the current.

All that said, it's pretty easy to navigate because the current runs straight down the wreck. When you get to the bottom of the line, take your bearings on the wreck. Even if you get seperated from your guide, you should be able to find the line by yourself.

 

[stisso]

Thanks for the head's up...my instructor called me and left a message...I'm not sure if maybe he'll want us to rethink our choices. Our friends have a zodiac and are bringing us out this weekend, and that's where they wanted to go (they're taking my instructor and two of us along, so there are only two newbies now).

I guess the fact it's so much deeper probably makes things a bit more complicated as well. Still, I'm up for a challenge, and like I said, we had some fairly strong currents to deal with in Fiji (the seasoned divers we met on those dives were surprised we kept up so well, it being our first certified dives and all)...but I realize that being cocky won't help me out of a situation I'm not ready for.

I take my instructor's instinct seriously, so I suppose I'll wait to see what he says. Any other advice from those who have done the dive would be appreciated!

 

[Doppler]

Thanks for the head's up...my instructor called me and left a message...I'm not sure if maybe he'll want us to rethink our choices. Our friends have a zodiac and are bringing us out this weekend, and that's where they wanted to go (they're taking my instructor and two of us along, so there are only two newbies now).

I guess the fact it's so much deeper probably makes things a bit more complicated as well. Still, I'm up for a challenge, and like I said, we had some fairly strong currents to deal with in Fiji (the seasoned divers we met on those dives were surprised we kept up so well, it being our first certified dives and all)...but I realize that being cocky won't help me out of a situation I'm not ready for.

I take my instructor's instinct seriously, so I suppose I'll wait to see what he says. Any other advice from those who have done the dive would be appreciated!

Who will be in the boat watching out for your guys?

 

[stisso]

Who will be in the boat watching out for your guys?

There are five of us going. We're going to go down in shifts...the two seasoned divers will go first, then come up and let us know how it is that day. Then our instructor is going to take myself and my hubby down (he also knows the site).

I spoke to my instructor, and although he thinks some extra caution (i.e. big tanks, oxygen on the boat, etc.) and some extra briefing are necessary, he thinks we should be okay, given what he's seen us do.

 

[scubagirl15]

Eastcliffe is an advanced dive. As others have pointed out, the current is the biggest issue: you'll have to fight your way down the descent line. And no, the Connie is not comparable at all.

If I recall correctly, there are 2 lines on the wreck. One of them is amidships. The best thing to do is get down that line, then drop straight down into the wreck as she's completely open. Once inside, you're sheltered. There's lots of neat stuff to see, including messages from other divers (of the "Joe was here" variety).

If you want to explore outside, you'd better be prepared to climb. Basically, you'd get up to the gunwhale of the wreck at the bow, get completely negative, then crawl over and drop down the bottom. This is not as easy as it sounds: being small-built, I had a heck of a time gaining enough momentum against the current to swing over the bow. The current is that strong. The only thing really worth seeing, according to our charter captain then, is the 10-foot+ gash that sent the Eastcliffe to her watery grave. I wrote a little report when we dove her last year. You can read it here

Assuming you do manage to get over the bow and drop immediately to the bottom, the wreck then protects you from being swept away by the current; you can basically let the current pin you against the wreck for a little rest, then drift and crawl up along the hull. You can then either crawl back into the wreck to find your line, or if you're lucky, drift into the line that's tied amidships, the same one you used to descend on the wreck.

Your charter captain, if you have one, should be able to give you very detailed briefing. Ours did when we dove the Eastcliffe, and we followed it to the letter!

 

[Under Michael]

I'm not interested in flaming you or trying to scare you away from completing a dive that is quite obviously rather beyond your level of training. I do have a few thoughts you can chew on, or not if you choose.

Eastcliffe is shallow, (about 70' to the mud outside the wreck) but there are many hazards which you have not likely experienced in your training.

Current, sharp edges on many structures, some entanglement hazards, low vis, and close proximity to the shipping channel. Alone these issues can be tolerable (when you have more experience and the training) but together they stack the odds against you. Make no guesses about it, this IS an advanced dive and for very real reasons.

Everyone has their own personal limits and all sports have those that participate on the extreme end of things. Unfortunately many that choose the extreme side of scuba become another statistic and give our sport poor publicity that it doesn't deserve.

The Gaskin is classed as an advanced dive but I would call it a total cake walk compared to Eastcliffe. Think about what you're planning here. Unless you have gills this just might be a mistake in the making.

There are plenty of wrecks in the river that are both challenging and fun but much more reasonable for someone with less than a dozen dives. Eastcliffe will always be there this Fall or next spring, will you???

 

[stisso]

Eastcliffe will always be there this Fall of next spring, will you???

I'll let you know on Monday....

Like I said, I trust my instructor to gage my abilities at this point, since he's the one who's been on the most dives with me (not just my cert.). I appreciate the words of wisdom and concern, and none are taken lightly...

I'm fully aware of my inexperience, and have no qualms about deciding at any point that the dive is too hard for me. If the seasoned divers dropping in before us (while we wait in the boat for them) tell us they had a hard time of it when they surface, we're going elsewhere. Everyone with us tomorrow knows our abilities and will certainly have us in mind when making decisions.

Having had to navigate around reefs in (upwards of) ten knot currents last month (and the revelation that the currents don't push you along the reef, but rather into it), I have an idea of the challenge ahead, and I know that it will be a brand new challenge, very unlike a giant reef wall.

So, I'll report back on Monday. Thanks very much to everyone!

 

[darkstar]

Having had to navigate around reefs in (upwards of) ten knot currents last month ....

Not trying to flame you either, but you keep bringing up Fiji. Regardless of the current, drifting in Fiji with 100' vis in a light wet suit is not the same as fighting a current in 10' vis where you MUST find your exit point. It's the sum of the perils that make the Eastcliffe more dangerous than it seems.

Since you are intent on doing this dive, take some advice. Know how to find that line if you get seperated from your instructor. Watch your gas. Carry a whistle and surface marker.

You also really should take an advanced course and dive the Gaskin, Keystorm, Kingshorn, and Lilly Parsons. I would rate any one of those dives as easier and less dangerous than the Eastcliffe. Or get your instructor to take you to Lock21.