Wexford

[DaveC426913]

Diving the Wexford next weekend. I'm brushing up on the archived posts here.

I am a little apprehensive as a novice diver. I have about 13 hours, and the most challenging thing I've done is Tobermory (though I went to 80 feet on the King).

I am concerned about active shipping lanes and current diving. Particularly about getting blown off the wreck and then getting lost.

Wish I were doing this with a crowd - or at least a buddy - I knew.

Any reassuring words?

[vlada]

Diving the Wexford next weekend. I'm brushing up on the archived posts here.

I am a little apprehensive as a novice diver. I have about 13 hours, and the most challenging thing I've done is Tobermory (though I went to 80 feet on the King).

I am concerned about active shipping lanes and current diving. Particularly about getting blown off the wreck and then getting lost.

Wish I were doing this with a crowd - or at least a buddy - I knew.

Any reassuring words?

Not sure you'll find this re-assuring - i'd recommend you skip this dive until you get more experience

This wreck can be VERY easy when the conditions are good (like 30-60 ft viz) and no current. People who dive it when conditions were great often left wondering what all the fuss was about. But conditions on this wrecks change not just from week to week but in the matter of hours. When i dove it for the first time few year ago, the conditions were probably the worst they ever get - 1-2 ft viz and cross current. We had two experienced divers with is - both had over 200 dives each at that time - thye were so humbled by the conditions, they decided to call it a day after the first dive - ever though they booked four dives that day. Buddy and I did another dive and called it - we were booked for 4 as well

if you do decide to go, discuss the "call the dive" procedures with your buddy - and do not hesitate to call the dive if you find the viz and current less than optimal. And, if the viz is bad - make sure you know exactly where the down line is attached to the wreck

[wetbehindtheear]

...And, if the viz is bad - make sure you know exactly where the down line is attached to the wreck...

I second that. Actually, even if the viz is good, make sure you follow the tag line over from the block to the wreck. Last time I was there the viz was great for the first 20 feet, then crappy for the next 20 feet, and then great again. I got so excited when i saw the wreck appear that I swam over to it without following the tagline, and needless to say, when i needed to find the tagline to go back, i had no idea where to start. Luckily there was no current, and my guess worked out, but I'll never skip the tag line again.

[Silverback]

Unlike Toby, which has most wrecks on the side of a wall (slope), Arabia excluded, so you have a refrence point to come up if you loose the wreck for what ever reason. Wreck sites found in Kingston, Erie, Huron, etc... your only refrence point is the morring line for coming up. Especially if you don't have the experence to come up with out one (free ascent). Some wrecks have tag lines that go from the block to the wreck but some don't, the block sits close enough to the wreck you don't need it. When you reach the wreck, not only make a mental note of where the block is to the wreck, (if the vis allows it) but also land mark the lines to key structual points on the wreck. ie port side near bow, mid ship port side, etc... Also make a note of key areas and main parts of the wreck so that if you get somewhat turned around, you can always find your way back.

What kind of experence does your buddy have. More or less then you. I agree with Vlada, discuss "call the dive" plan as well as if the vis is really bad, but not bad enough to call it, stay close the area of the tag line. Dive to the level of the weekest member of the group. In fact, have that person lead the dive.

I'm not sure what you're used to diving in, vis wise, but maybe you should locate some area that gets silted out very easy so that you can practice low vis conditions or dive at night with a very week light to increase your comfort level for sitations like you may find in like this. Barrie is great for this.

Anyway, you take care and don't worry about calling the dive if ou don't feel comfortable.. The wreck isn't going anywhere and if you don't make it this time, you'll make it next time. The whole point if this is to enjoy what your doing and listen to that little voice in side you... Its usually right.

Dave


I second that. Actually, even if the viz is good, make sure you follow the tag line over from the block to the wreck. Last time I was there the viz was great for the first 20 feet, then crappy for the next 20 feet, and then great again. I got so excited when i saw the wreck appear that I swam over to it without following the tagline, and needless to say, when i needed to find the tagline to go back, i had no idea where to start. Luckily there was no current, and my guess worked out, but I'll never skip the tag line again.

[DaveC426913]

...When you reach the wreck, not only make a mental note of where the block is to the wreck, (if the vis allows it) ...I'll print off your instructions and take em with me.


...What kind of experence does your buddy have. More or less then you...
I don't know, I've never met him. Likely more.


...I'm not sure what you're used to diving in, vis wise...Well, Innerkip, so average viz: zero ft.


...Anyway, you take care and don't worry about calling the dive if ou don't feel comfortable...I guess as long as I'm clear with my buddy beforehand, and ensure he understands I want to be very careful about not getting lost, I should be fine.

I would have liked a diagram of the wreck - especially the location of the lines - I'm a spatial orientation kind of guy. The one on shipwreckwexford.ca would be perfect if I could read any of the handwriting, but it's too small.

Thanks y'all.

[Marvintpa]

Dave, you do not mention what your certification level is.

Diving in Toby, which can be quite sheltered since many of the wrecks (like the King) are near shore, can be quite different than diving the Wexford which is much more open and exposed. Of the times I've done the wreck current has always been mild, but visibility *can* be horrendous, which is not my favourite way to dive. You can increase your chances of having a good dive by contacting the charter operator and seeing what conditions have been like recently. Most operators, although they will only make money if you dive, will give you a straight answer (particularly if you're diving with Terry at Scubaquest who seems to do mosta the runs out there).

Take a look at the pics here (http://www.scubaq.ca/ontarioscubadiving/wexford.htm) and you will notice that in the ones at the top of the page have pretty bad viz, 4 feet tops. The ones towards the bottom were a much better day but as has been mentioned it was in layers of alternating good and bad, each about 20' thick.

Previously the line was tied in amidships to a structure high up and was quite easy to miss, resulting in free ascents. The line this season (at least as of as 6 weeks ago) was tied to the stern and is a much easier locaiton to landmark and find.

[Silverback]

Nothing really to print off, but if it makes your comfort level increase then by all means print away :)

The main thing here is, especially with it being the first dive on this or any other wreck. Keep track of where you are swiming and only go where you feel comfortable.

Innerkip or places like innerkip (Gullivers Like) are great for practice dives. 20 feet of depth can feel like a hundred when you can't see anything.

Dave


I'll print off your instructions and take em with me.

I don't know, I've never met him. Likely more.

Well, Innerkip, so average viz: zero ft.

I guess as long as I'm clear with my buddy beforehand, and ensure he understands I want to be very careful about not getting lost, I should be fine.

I would have liked a diagram of the wreck - especially the location of the lines - I'm a spatial orientation kind of guy. The one on shipwreckwexford.ca would be perfect if I could read any of the handwriting, but it's too small.

Thanks y'all.

[Silverback]

Very nice photo's... I've been to your site before. At lleast I think its your site. Both yourself and Vlada / Tom ( I believe that's her husbands name) have fantastic shots. I'm just getting into that area of diving myself. Can't wait to get back to wrecks that I've dove before to get some images that I can share with family and Friends that don't dive.

You have a great day, hopefully in the water and maybe we'll run into each other at a dive site sometime.

Dave




Dave, you do not mention what your certification level is.

Diving in Toby, which can be quite sheltered since many of the wrecks (like the King) are near shore, can be quite different than diving the Wexford which is much more open and exposed. Of the times I've done the wreck current has always been mild, but visibility *can* be horrendous, which is not my favourite way to dive. You can increase your chances of having a good dive by contacting the charter operator and seeing what conditions have been like recently. Most operators, although they will only make money if you dive, will give you a straight answer (particularly if you're diving with Terry at Scubaquest who seems to do mosta the runs out there).

Take a look at the pics here (http://www.scubaq.ca/ontarioscubadiving/wexford.htm) and you will notice that in the ones at the top of the page have pretty bad viz, 4 feet tops. The ones towards the bottom were a much better day but as has been mentioned it was in layers of alternating good and bad, each about 20' thick.

Previously the line was tied in amidships to a structure high up and was quite easy to miss, resulting in free ascents. The line this season (at least as of as 6 weeks ago) was tied to the stern and is a much easier locaiton to landmark and find.

[knives]

I would never dive this wreck with a buddy I have not dove with before.
Comunicating underwater and performing underwater drills is always a challenge when not diving with someone you know, the Wexford is no place for surprises, even though it can be a pleasant non eventful dive.

[rjchandler]

There is also a line tied to the bow. Its a shallow easy wreck unless things really start blowing on Lake Huron - that's how it sank in the first place. But you'll know if it's blowing before you go out there.

[Silverback]

DaveC426913...

How'd your dive go on the Wexford?

Dave



I'll print off your instructions and take em with me.

I don't know, I've never met him. Likely more.

Well, Innerkip, so average viz: zero ft.

I guess as long as I'm clear with my buddy beforehand, and ensure he understands I want to be very careful about not getting lost, I should be fine.

I would have liked a diagram of the wreck - especially the location of the lines - I'm a spatial orientation kind of guy. The one on shipwreckwexford.ca would be perfect if I could read any of the handwriting, but it's too small.

Thanks y'all.

[Groundhog246]

There is also a line tied to the bow. Its a shallow easy wreck unless things really start blowing on Lake Huron - that's how it sank in the first place. But you'll know if it's blowing before you go out there.

I used to sail out of Goderich, just up the shore and will disagree oon this point. I've been out and had it go from a nice summer day, light winds, sunny, etc., to raging thunderstorm with high winds and growing waves in not much more than 10 minutes from the time darker clouds were first sighted (usually to the South).

To an earlier poster, if your NOT comfortable doing a free ascent fromdepth, then get out there and practice. A free flow or other problem, may not allow you the leisure to return to the upline. I learned this early on one spring on a shore dive, when my buddies reg freeflowed 8 minutes in just as we crossed the 50 foot contour. A controlled nearly 2 minute ascent from 50 feet with a portion in the middle where you couldn't even see the surface or the bottom for visual reference was an eye opener. I've made sure since to keep in practice at that. On a recent wreck dive, I was surprised at the number of divers who held onto the mooring line all the way up (they may have done on the way down, I wasn't watching them) as my wife and I "floated" slowly up 4 to 5 feet away from the line.

On any boat dive I also make sure we have safety sausages, whistles, etc in case we surface away from the buoy/boat.

[d33ps1x]

ROFL. I was going to say the same thing but was afraid to come across as argumentative since there are so many ultra sensitive scubaboard members out there.

As a lifelong waterfront resident of the shores of Lake Huron until about 3 1/2 years ago I would have to agree with GH.

The lake turns in 10 or 15 minutes easily. Especially on the unprotected east shore there. One of the reasons I spent so many years windsurfing it. It's a blast....literally. :D

[Groundhog246]

I used to argue a bit with some fellow sailors over going out on windier days (4 to 5 foot waves). My argument is if you sail, you WILL get caught in it, so start in samller stuff and work your way up, close to harbour (and the Coast Guard), so you do know how to handle it when you get caught (my first Thunderstorm while out in the lake was an adventure, not a disaster, in part due to preparation of our baot and our skills). If you boat Lake Huron (or most of the Great Lakes actually), getting caught in a storm is a WHEN, not an IF.