YDT's or Mass trip in February???????

[wjefferis]

I have never been to the PC Barge, sounds interesting. The Russian Freighter is a good dive as long as you anchor near the boilers. Without them as a reference it is easy to get lost on that site. My vote would be PC Barge and then the Mass at high tide. HEre are the tide charts for the Pensacola Bay entrance for each week end in March:

Sa 1 Low 4:12 AM -0.4 6:15 AM Rise 2:00 AM 42
1 High 4:18 PM 1.0 5:48 PM Set 11:55 AM

Su 2 Low 5:00 AM -0.4 6:14 AM Rise 2:50 AM 33
2 High 5:24 PM 1.0 5:49 PM Set 12:52 PM


SA 8 Low 6:16 AM 0.2 6:07 AM Rise 6:31 AM 0
8 High 10:29 AM 0.4 5:53 PM Set 7:13 PM
8 Low 6:20 PM 0.1

Su 9 High 2:28 AM 0.4 7:06 AM Rise 8:03 AM 1
9 Low 5:28 AM 0.3 6:54 PM Set 9:20 PM
9 High 11:14 AM 0.6
9 Low 8:52 PM -0.2


Sa 15 Low 4:42 AM -0.5 6:58 AM Set 2:55 AM 55
15 High 5:05 PM 1.2 6:58 PM Rise 1:02 PM

Su 16 Low 5:39 AM -0.5 6:57 AM Set 3:46 AM 66
16 High 6:23 PM 1.1 6:58 PM Rise 2:09 PM


Sa 22 High 10:39 AM 0.7 6:50 AM Set 7:02 AM 99
22 Low 8:19 PM 0.0 7:02 PM Rise 8:08 PM

Su 23 High 10:46 AM 0.9 6:49 AM Set 7:31 AM 98
23 Low 9:11 PM -0.1 7:03 PM Rise 9:05 PM



Sa 29 Low 3:25 AM -0.2 6:41 AM Rise 1:41 AM 59
29 High 3:15 PM 1.1 7:06 PM Set 11:40 AM

Su 30 Low 4:13 AM -0.2 6:40 AM Rise 2:28 AM 50
30 High 4:21 PM 1.1 7:07 PM Set 12:38 PM

It kinda looks like the best days would be either the 8th,9th, or 23rd due to a mid day high tide that would enable us to get out and hit a deeper site first and then hit the Mass at High slack tide without making a late day out of it. Just my take, what are you guys/gals thoughts?

 

[Doll_Fin]

March would be great. Any of the dates you mentioned would work, so whatever works for you guys, let's plan it!

 

[denisegg]

March 23rd is Easter so I couldn't do it that day because of my family getting together. I like the Saturday dives better myself because of the drive down there and back and having to get home late Sunday and work the next day, so my preference would be the 8th but I could also do the 9th.

 

[denisegg]

Gary's calendar has an Oriskany charter on March 8th and Ivan's Reef on March 9th and USS Mass on March 23rd. What about it Gary? Is your boat already filled for these dates?

GGD - web calendar

 

[algulfdiver]

Gary's calendar has an Oriskany charter on March 8th and Ivan's Reef on March 9th and USS Mass on March 23rd. What about it Gary? Is your boat already filled for these dates?

GGD - web calendar

Any day you would like (at this time) is open.

 

[denisegg]

Great!! So how is March 8th for everyone? If that date is okay for you Walter and Doll fin you can go ahead and start a new thread for it. We will already have 3 and if Andy is not busy I would like for him to go also so that would make 4.

 

[denisegg]

Any day you would like

Now that's what I'm talking about. That's service.

And what's up with the troll head? You wouldn't be referring to a pic on another thread would you? You don't want to come back from Mexico in a body bag do you?

 

[wjefferis]

I guess the next question would be to Gary. If we went out on March 8th with high tide at 10:30, do you think we could hit that as a second site at that time or at least close. It doesn't look like a big swing that day so it might not matter that much.

The next question to the interested people in this charter is what do you want for a first dive. Gary had mention the PC Barge. I was kinda interested in that. The depth is shallower than the Russian Freighter which is about 85 fsw. And since it is pretty close to the Mass we could probably make high tide without problem, I would guess. Here is some info I got about the PC barge off of the Dive Pros website:
P.C. Barge

Location: 8 miles south-southeast of Pensacola Pass. Just east of the Sylvia.
A 110-foot barge was sunk in 75 feet of water in 1990 as part of Escambia County's ongoing artificial reef building project. The barge is part of a cluster in this one-square mile area that includes the Monsanto Boxes, the tugs Sylvia, Deliverance and Tessie.

This site sounds pretty easy to navigate. I add this point because Doll fin is still learning. I have also never dove this site and I think it would be cool to see a new spot. What you guys/gals think? Also for those out there that are unfamiliar with the Uss Massachusetts here is some info about this site from the state of Florida website Archaeology - Office of Cultural & Historical Programs:

The USS Massachusetts

The oldest existing American battleship, the USS Massachusetts was one of three "Indiana" class battleships authorized in 1890 for the new "Steel Navy." Among the most powerful ships of their time, Indiana, Massachusetts, and Oregon were the first heavy-caliber, heavy-armor battleships to be built by the United States, and the first to be given hull numbers. Officially commissioned by the Navy on June 10, 1896, she was over 350 feet long, with a beam of 69 feet and a draft of 24 feet.

In Service

The Massachusetts saw her first battle during the Spanish-American War. She sailed to Cuba to help blockade the ports of Cienfuegos and Santiago. In the following years Massachusetts performed a variety of duties, conducting battle practice in several different ports. In 1906, she was decommissioned, but in 1910 was refitted with a caged mainmast and other modern
hardware, including one of the first shipboard wireless telegraphs. The Massachusetts was placed in reduced commission to serve as a summer practice ship for midshipmen. She also served as a gunnery practice ship for naval reserve crews after war was declared with Germany. Decommissioned

In 1919, the Massachusetts returned to Philadelphia and was decommissioned for the final time. Stripped of her guns and furnishings, the obsolete ship was towed to Pensacola in January 1921 to be used as a target for experimental artillery, and scuttled just outside the entrance to the bay. Scarred and torn, the ship sat peacefully for years in the Gulf, attracting fish and fishermen alike. In the late 1950s, several salvage companies tried to salvage the wreck but with the support of the people of Pensacola, the state filed an injunction to prevent salvage, and when the case was brought before the Supreme Court, title to the Massachusetts was awarded to the State of Florida.

The Massachusetts Today

In 1990, the public once again rallied around the old battleship, and the site was dedicated as an underwater archaeological preserve on June 10, 1993, on the 100th anniversary of the ship's launching. Today, the 350-foot hulk is awash in emerald-green water, partially buried in a white sandy bottom. After spending 70 of her 100 years in the sea, the battleship has become a giant artificial reef.
How to Find the USS Massachusetts

The remains of the USS Massachusetts are in 26 feet of water, a mile and a half south-southwest of Pensacola Pass at Latitude 30 deg 17 min 45 sec N and Longitude 87 deg 18 min 45 sec W, in the Fort Pickens State Aquatic Preserve, which is administered by the Florida Department of Natural Resources. LORAN coordinates for the wreck are 13215.0 and 47108.9. The site is easily located because the ship's two main gun turrets are awash most of the time. The wreck also is marked by a red bell buoy, and its location is shown on nautical charts.
Site plan.
Location map.

Special Diving Instructions

Due to currents from the nearby pass, optimal diving conditions at the Massachusetts are at slack high and low tides. Visibility is best at high tide. Caution should be taken when sea conditions are above 2 or 3 feet, due to increased surge in the shallow water surrounding the wreck. Anchoring at the site should take into account surface currents, wind direction, and anticipated tidal change. Anchoring in the sand at the edge of the site will help to avoid fouling and losing anchors in the wreck. Minimum diving equipment should include: 1) open-water scuba equipment; 2) sharp knife; 3) gloves; and 4) a dive flag. Divers should not penetrate the hull due to structural instability and the presence of entanglements. A laminated underwater field guide is available from local dive shops to orient divers on a self-guided tour of the preserve.
Get a brochure or poster.
Return to the Preserves home page.

Site Plan

 

[Doll_Fin]

My computer is down and I'm using a public computer right now, I'm glad to see it looks like we can schedule a dive on the 8th. Gary, I will call you and it looks like my friend Dave and I will be going so save me 2 spots! Whatever the more experienced folks want to do for the other dive is fine with me. I will check back when I can and hopefully my computer will be fixed soon.