Where did you solo dive today?

[SurteesDiver]

10 degrees? Holy moly! Do you guys wear drysuits down there?

Definitely drysuit for me at this time of year. In a couple of months we'll be back in 7/8mm wetsuits. My son and I are booked in to do the Poor Knights again at Easter next year so hoping you'll turn on some nice warm clear water for us MB! Cheers

 

[MB NZ]

Definitely drysuit for me at this time of year. In a couple of months we'll be back in 7/8mm wetsuits. My son and I are booked in to do the Poor Knights again at Easter next year so hoping you'll turn on some nice warm clear water for us MB! Cheers

Water temperature will be tropical for you guys

I hope you get a good weather day, anything but a strong easterly. Swell can make the crossing , but it's usually northeasterly, so not a problem once you get to the islands. You probably know this already.

 

[SurteesDiver]

Water temperature will be tropical for you guys

I hope you get a good weather day, anything but a strong easterly. Swell can make the crossing , but it's usually northeasterly, so not a problem once you get to the islands. You probably know this already.

Yes, had three trips before. Took own boat up there once, did a day trip and an overnight on RV Acheron. Going with a different operator this time.

 

[MB NZ]

Yes, had three trips before. Took own boat up there once, did a day trip and an overnight on RV Acheron. Going with a different operator this time.

I did one trip on Acheron. Shame they could't keep it running. When I can up to Northland, I was doing a 1-2 night liveaboard on Mazurka (Oceanblue Adventures) at least once a month. Very sad to see that end. Kevin who owned Mazurka was the skipper on Acheron.

How was it taking your own boat over? The more interesing dive sites aren't the easiest spots to anchor.

Which operator are you using this time?

 

[Wibble]

How was it taking your own boat over? The more interesing dive sites aren't the easiest spots to anchor.

Anchor?

Don’t you "shot" the wreck and the skipper uses GPS to hang close to the wreck waiting for the SMBs to all pop up and drift downstream, motoring back to the wreck when the last diver's lifted out to pick up the shot line (grapnel hook, rope and buoys that divers descend upon).

 

[MB NZ]

Anchor?

Don’t you "shot" the wreck and the skipper uses GPS to hang close to the wreck waiting for the SMBs to all pop up and drift downstream, motoring back to the wreck when the last diver's lifted out to pick up the shot line (grapnel hook, rope and buoys that divers descend upon).

What wrecks?

 

[Wibble]

What wrecks?

You anchor on a reef?

 

[SurteesDiver]

You anchor on a reef?

The RV Acheron certainly anchored, but they had a lot of chain on knew the spots. We did a day trip and my wife is not a diver but is a competent skipper. So she just hung out above us. The Northern Arch is my favourite (that I've done) and we were able to get up there... but it was really snotty going home.

Like taking own boat but it's a long tow from Christchurch!

Going with Northland Dive at Easter.

 

[MB NZ]

You anchor on a reef?

Yes. Don't panic, it's made of rock.

 

[Wibble]

Yes. Don't panic, it's made of rock.

Appreciate that, but rather surprised the boat actually anchors as it may need to rapidly move for many reasons.

Also, anchoring a boat means a long scope (ratio of depth to length of anchor chain/chain+rope) and the chain being pulled over the reef. If the tide turns, the boat will change direction and drag the anchor chain around.

As a wreck diver, I just find that a bit surprising that the boat would anchor and effectively cannot use the engine whilst divers are in the water. Obviously we all use different procedures in different locations.