bubble-head
Contributor
I dove the Tiger with Lynnhaven yesterday. Seas were 4-6 feet with the average around 5'. Onboard, were several OW students. There were quite a few seasick folks on-board. Upon arrival, the crew anchored in and the first couple of divers went in. The anchor broke free from the stern area of the wreck and the divers were picked up. A second attempt to tie into the wreck was made and anyone feeling up to diving could make their first dive.
Dive 1: My buddy was seasick and I ended up diving with one of the dive masters. Visibility at the very bouncy hang bar was 20' and visibility on the wreck itself was 5-10'. There was considerable current on the surface. We clipped my spool into the wreck and started exploring. I spotted a stingray, numerous Spades, Taug, and Flounder. The biggest surprise was seeing a good-sized Moray under some wreckage with my light. Dive buddy and I found some type of weird weight with writting on it but left it on the wreck. Other divers speared some gorgeous Flounder and several Spades. The rough seas made getting back on the boarding ladder very challenging and timing was crucial.
Surface Interval: One of the largest sea turtles I have ever seen made an appearance on the port side of the boat!
Dive 2: My dive buddy was still too sick to dive and the dive master and I from Dive 1 partnered up again. The hang bar did not seem to be bouncing as bad. We examined the ropes where Miss L. was tied into and all seemed fined. Once again tieing into the wreck, we spooled out and explored parts of the wreck we missed in dive one. Fish were still plentiful and I regretted not bringing my own gun to land some. The boilers and hull allowed many citters to hide. Swimming along the wreckage, I couldn't help but to think about the one crewman who went down with the ship or the other group of men onboard who had the misfortune of being torpedoed for a second time before arriving home. At the end of the dive I found two empty conch shells I decided to take home. After respooling the line, we discovered the ropes securing the boat to the wreck were gone. We decided to do a controlled free ascent. Upon reaching the surface, the Lindsey motored over to us to pick us up. Her ropes must have frayed loose due to the waves. Captain and crew did an excellent job of picking up all freely ascending divers and everyone made it back on board safely. I'm thankful I didn't get sick and was able to dive. While I enjoy some of the deeper wrecks, it was an enjoyable day diving and a chance to visit a local wreck of historical importance.
Dive 1: My buddy was seasick and I ended up diving with one of the dive masters. Visibility at the very bouncy hang bar was 20' and visibility on the wreck itself was 5-10'. There was considerable current on the surface. We clipped my spool into the wreck and started exploring. I spotted a stingray, numerous Spades, Taug, and Flounder. The biggest surprise was seeing a good-sized Moray under some wreckage with my light. Dive buddy and I found some type of weird weight with writting on it but left it on the wreck. Other divers speared some gorgeous Flounder and several Spades. The rough seas made getting back on the boarding ladder very challenging and timing was crucial.
Surface Interval: One of the largest sea turtles I have ever seen made an appearance on the port side of the boat!
Dive 2: My dive buddy was still too sick to dive and the dive master and I from Dive 1 partnered up again. The hang bar did not seem to be bouncing as bad. We examined the ropes where Miss L. was tied into and all seemed fined. Once again tieing into the wreck, we spooled out and explored parts of the wreck we missed in dive one. Fish were still plentiful and I regretted not bringing my own gun to land some. The boilers and hull allowed many citters to hide. Swimming along the wreckage, I couldn't help but to think about the one crewman who went down with the ship or the other group of men onboard who had the misfortune of being torpedoed for a second time before arriving home. At the end of the dive I found two empty conch shells I decided to take home. After respooling the line, we discovered the ropes securing the boat to the wreck were gone. We decided to do a controlled free ascent. Upon reaching the surface, the Lindsey motored over to us to pick us up. Her ropes must have frayed loose due to the waves. Captain and crew did an excellent job of picking up all freely ascending divers and everyone made it back on board safely. I'm thankful I didn't get sick and was able to dive. While I enjoy some of the deeper wrecks, it was an enjoyable day diving and a chance to visit a local wreck of historical importance.
