wingman
06-25-2006, 10:47 AM
After getting blown out last weekend finally made it out to the oriskany and got a good dive in. It was under a 2 hour run from orange beach in seas that were running 1 to 2 feet. Arrived at the site and there were already 3 boats tied into the island. We hooked the stern, geared up and dropped into the deep blue water for a run down the anchor line to the deck at 137. The wreck started to materialize at about 70 feet and the visibility was a bit disappointing at 60 + feet or so. My first impression was, “this thing is enormous.” The wreck is already surrounded by clouds of bait fish and there were schools of amberjack just visible off the wreck. There was also a good sized grouper that had taken up residence inside some of the aft section rooms under the deck. I was diving 19/42 and carrying a 32% stage. Hit 165 feet max depth and had a 105 minute runtime and visited the southwest side of the carrier from the island all the way around to the very back of the stern. There were catwalks, stairs, companionways, and openings into the wreck everywhere you looked. The hangar bay area is huge, reminiscent of dipolder. The main impression you are left with is how little you got to see, it reminded me of the first time I walked up to the rim of the grand canyon. The oriskany is begging for some gold line and I can’t wait to get back; next time I’m taking my scooter. Bill Huth