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Well, we were down to 9 divers and 12 crew by the time we left the dock on Friday night, but with a fine forecast, we headed out to the Rhein for a little wrecking and diving. We arrived at the Rhein at 0700 Saturday Morning to find the wind blowing from the east at 10-15 (not in the forecast), current southerly at almost a knot, and great difficulty anchoring. We eventually stern tied to the shot line, with the anchor down, and went diving. Efforts expended were high due to the current, especially with the current coming from the stern. 2 great dives were conducted on the Rhein, but no goodies were found by divers, probably due to the current. There are still plenty of items left to bring up. After untying from the wreck, we swung around on the anchor until a squall came through at 2:30 AM. The squall drug us into the wreck, and we held well until the next squall came through at 4:30. That one untangled us from the wreck and sent us flying west. We got the anchor to hold, and finished napping.
Sunday morning we threw a shot on the Araby Maid. The mates jumped in with the shot to tie in, but it was not to be. Current was estimated at over 2 knots, which was enough to pull 3 tuna balls (A-4s for those of you who know tuna balls) under water. The mates drifted to complete deco, and were recovered. At some point, the hook let go, and the tuna balls returned to the surface and were recovered. We motored off to the U-2513 looking for less current. I shot the U boat and threw the mates back in, once again, current pulled the tuna balls under. Ive got lots of folks who have dived these wrecks many times, and none of them have ever heard of this kind of current, much less seen it. We ended up at the oil wreck, where there was no current, and about 30 feet of visibility. No one penetrated, but there were reports of monster goliaths and blacks.
Monday morning we headed over to the S-16. I dont think the sub has been dived in a while, we shot the line in and threw the mates in with the following instructions: Tie into something stout. Turns out, there isnt anything stout on a wreck thats been down 50 years. Whatever it was we tied in to, it came with us. From that point, we live boated. We did 2 great dives on the S-16, which is a non-collection wreck, and killed 10 lionfish, 7 in the conning tower. After 2 excellent dives, we headed out for the Wilkes-Barre.
By Tuesday morning, the wind and seas had built to the point where I could no longer use the sounder. 20 knot winds, 6 foot seas, and tired divers helped us to decide not to shot into the Wilkes, but to head on to the Vandenberg. The Vandenberg is as always, but our divers were equipped to penetrate, so they spent most of their time inside, away from the hordes of recreational divers who descended on them right after they jumped in.
Everyone agreed that the trip was a success, even though the weather and currents werent very cooperative.
Capt Frank
M/V Spree
Stock Island, FL.
Sunday morning we threw a shot on the Araby Maid. The mates jumped in with the shot to tie in, but it was not to be. Current was estimated at over 2 knots, which was enough to pull 3 tuna balls (A-4s for those of you who know tuna balls) under water. The mates drifted to complete deco, and were recovered. At some point, the hook let go, and the tuna balls returned to the surface and were recovered. We motored off to the U-2513 looking for less current. I shot the U boat and threw the mates back in, once again, current pulled the tuna balls under. Ive got lots of folks who have dived these wrecks many times, and none of them have ever heard of this kind of current, much less seen it. We ended up at the oil wreck, where there was no current, and about 30 feet of visibility. No one penetrated, but there were reports of monster goliaths and blacks.
Monday morning we headed over to the S-16. I dont think the sub has been dived in a while, we shot the line in and threw the mates in with the following instructions: Tie into something stout. Turns out, there isnt anything stout on a wreck thats been down 50 years. Whatever it was we tied in to, it came with us. From that point, we live boated. We did 2 great dives on the S-16, which is a non-collection wreck, and killed 10 lionfish, 7 in the conning tower. After 2 excellent dives, we headed out for the Wilkes-Barre.
By Tuesday morning, the wind and seas had built to the point where I could no longer use the sounder. 20 knot winds, 6 foot seas, and tired divers helped us to decide not to shot into the Wilkes, but to head on to the Vandenberg. The Vandenberg is as always, but our divers were equipped to penetrate, so they spent most of their time inside, away from the hordes of recreational divers who descended on them right after they jumped in.
Everyone agreed that the trip was a success, even though the weather and currents werent very cooperative.
Capt Frank
M/V Spree
Stock Island, FL.
