Violeta:
I'm planning a trip to the Spiegel Grove next weekend. Any tips would be appreciated... best shop to use, rent a boat instead, nitrox or not, etc.? It will be my first time there. I'll also be diving with my bro and sis-in-law. Thanks for any help!!
Vio
The current will be coming from the aft (rear) starboard (left) side. So that that into plan on which mooring you choose. If you're on a commercial boat, they will most likely make that choice for you. You'll also have to take what's left from the other boats that are already there.
As for diving plan, if you are wanting to make two repeat dives on the Grove,
I doubt you'll find a regular charter that will do that. They'll most likely
do a shallower spot for the 2nd dive, like Molasses or French Reef or the Benwood
which is near. (BTW, the Benwood is a good wreck for fish and coral growth).
Anyway, for doing a repeat dive on the Grove in the same trip, plan the 2nd
dive for up around the wheelhouse or a shallower structure.
As for gas, I'd go Nitrox on both dives for the greatest NDL. As for the percentage,
I guess it depends on the depth you plan. The sand is at 130 feet, so you'll
want to go slightly less than 32% if you plan on making any sand-castles
while down there. Most people don't venture that deep since the hull is
the only thing you can see. I haven't dove it since it flipped upright, but
I've been told the screws (props) are now buried in the sand, so you won't
get to see them. Mentioning that in case that was a feature you were including
in your depth planning. Anyway, if you want the most of your computers,
then Nitrox is your choice. Air hogs will want something larger than an
AL80 if diving Nitrox and playing in the sand.
If the current is really kicking up, you could discuss with your boat captain
about descending on one bouy and ascending on one down current. This
will take more planning with ALL the divers on the boat to make sure they all
come back safely to the surface at the correct mooring bouy. I'd say your
chances of this with a smaller 6-pack boat are much better happening than
on one of the 'cattle boats'.
Other than that, just plan your dive to deal with a heavy current. It might
not be bad, but plan for it.
hope that all helps.
-mikd