Questions about Mermet Springs

DoubleBubbles · Aug 22, 2002

I was wondering if any one has been to Mermet Springs in southern Illinois lately? I live south of Nashville and am considering driving up there for some diving if it is worth it. What did you like and not like about the facility? Any motels and restaurants nearby?

MgicTwnger · Aug 23, 2002

I'm from central IL, and my LDS uses Mermet for training and certification dives. It's a well run facility with some good stuff to see: 747 from the movie "US Marshals", a school bus, etc. Vis goes from OK to terrible, the temp and viz are listed on their web site http://www.mermetsprings.com/.
The folks who run the place are especially friendly. I've allways had a good experience .
I usually stay in Vienna at the Ramada. There is a good, down-home eatery down the street from it (you can't miss it).
There are a lot of motels in Metropolis, and the very strange Superman museum :goofy:, but it's a bit further from Mermet.

Enjoy!

SDAnderson · Aug 23, 2002

...I know quite a few people that have made the drive from Chicago (about half a day) more than once and have nice things to say about the place. Given that diving in Chicago includes a number of quarries and lakes, including Lake Michigan, it's always seemed like a long way to go for ?. But they do it and they like it.

I don't think I'd be expecting a hotbed of urbane sophistication, but the area is pretty and the people are friendly and the diving is (reportedly) decent and, well, I guess I'll have to make the drive myself one of these days! Maybe on the way back from the next trip to Bonne Terre.

Mermet Springs area accomodations & restaurants

Steven

erich · Aug 23, 2002

I have been to Mermet once and enjoyed the diving. The vis can vary greatly, rain can cause havoc. In general the grounds are clean well organized. There are dock entery and exit and plenty of covered areas for suit-up. The majority of usage is for training and they have many varied platforms. The plane is a neat amenity. It makes a very interesting night dive when it slowly reveles itself out of the gloomy water. The nose bottoms out at 50' or so.
They have guidelines on the bottom connecting the attractions so in poor vis you can follow or navigate from place to place. They also have some nice walls to dive down to about 90 feet.
From Chicago it is quite a trek as Reefraff stated. All said and done I will probably go back, as long as I do not have to drive!

ckharlan66 · Aug 23, 2002

I agree with what has already been said. I will add that there is a casino close by so if you spend the night you will have something to do after the diving is over.

Chad

DoubleBubbles · Aug 24, 2002

Thanks for the response! I would have my 14 yr old son with me so the Casinos are out. I am looking at maybe going for the DOG Rally in October; think I need to reserve a room now. My idea is roughing it is when the ice machine is not working at the Holiday Inn.

dnew1973 · Aug 24, 2002

I should be there as we speak.Unfortunately my employer said I had other things to be doing.I go up from memphis with friends from the LDS.The owner uses Mermet for his certification trips.The viz is around 15-20 most of the time and gets better at lower depths. They have training plateforms at 20' and also one at 85'.
They also have a camping area which you may want to use if your son enjoy's camping.They also have all the gear you need .They only thing I dislike is there aren't any rest rooms.They have the portable toilets.

CincyBengalsFan · Aug 24, 2002

We were there in June and Viz was extremely Low. I would hate to take students there with the viz so low. Seemed to be a well maintained and friendly place. Lots of ammenities.
However; Be prepared for COLD water too. The plane is actually a 727.

You might want to try Cerulean while your in that area.

jrudicel · Aug 25, 2002

I have dove Mermet quite a few times over the past year since buying my DUI drysuit off them. Great people , great service, great diving. Viz had dropped off considerably a few months back due to heavy rains but has improved dramatically since.
We usually stay in Paducah which is only about 20-30 minutes from there at the Drury Inn at Exit 4 since we come from Indiana about 5 hours away. Rooms are reasonable and very nice and at 55.00 a night. Lots of places to eat, etc. I think us driving 5 hours one way says it all about the staff and atmosphere at Mermet. Like was mentioned earlier, rental gear is available as well as air and nitrox and more. Check them out at www.mermetsprings.com if you havent already.

ckharlan66 · Aug 25, 2002

I usually stay a the Drury too. I also stay there for work sometimes. In Metropolis there is a hamburger place that use to be called Fast Eddies. I has a new name but I hear it still has the same great food at great prices. I bet the locals can tell you the new name and how to get there.

Chad

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