Steel cave diving the Oriskany not an option????????????

[aw]

I e-mailed one charter boat and one dive shop in Pensacola about tech diving the Oriskany. Both were primarily open water rec diving outfits. I told them my interest was to do a quick drop to the sand floor at 212 on trimix and then ascend back up to the hanger deck to penetrate and look around, then enjoy the coning tower during my deeper stops. I told them I was both full-trimix and full-cave certified. I also said if a second dive were permitted, I'd like to do a nitrox doubles dive on the coning tower itself.

One outfit didn't even bat an eye at my profile. But the other didn't condone penetration. Here's what this one said in part . .

"I will be taking tech divers to the wreck, although I would strongly advise against and do not condone any penetration dives on the Oriskany. There is nothing inside worth dieing for!"

WTF?? Why cut a big hole in the hanger deck area if you don't expect penetration. My question is are we going to be restricted from entering overhead based on their fears and risk being thrown off the boat? That "nothing in here worth dying for" speech is on every warning sign in cave country. I'd think an artificial reef would be much less dangerous to penetrate than one sunk on accident with all its cargo, wires, etc.

I know, I know . . sharp edges, etc. But does that mean wreck penetration is an absolute no-no in any environment? I mean, I wasn't talking to this guy about a rec dive trip. I specifically mentioned tech diving, trimix, and penetration. I assumed there would be no holds barred as long as you were certified to do the diving you planned for.

I'm sure he was just giving his CMA disclaimer, but are we going to get grilled everytime we go out there telling us how dangerous what we are doing is? Maybe I can buy him a couple of cold beers once my dive is done to ease his mind.

Dunno. I was just kinda surprised at his response. Maybe I'm wrong. What's funny is some DIR folks had recommended this outfit saying you can do scooters or whatever you want. It would be funny if he restricted their dive plan. Just wanted to give a heads up in case you decided you wanted to do some steel cave diving.

[Jordan]

you ask too many questions and talk too much

Just take your lights and reels, jump in and do your dive and come back up with a grin on your face. It's that simple.

[aw]

I just wouldn't want to pay $250 to get out there and in the dive briefing he limit half what I planned to do. And then if I did it anyway, risk getting banned from the boat or giving the tech/cave diving community a black eye. It's true, it is easier to ask forgiveness than permission. I'd just rather be up front about my intentions.

BTW, he said $250 for a tech trip out there. If rec diving is about $150 for two tanks, what is the difference when he takes a tech group out? Will he have to be out there longer? I wouldn't think so if he were only letting tech divers do one 90 minute run-time dive. I'm just curious what the value addness is for the customer or additional cost to him would be to justify the increased fee.

[GWNDWN]

My guess is he can take fewer divers on a tech trip than a rec trip and that's why they are charging more per diver.

[Rich]

I e-mailed one charter boat and one dive shop in Pensacola about tech diving the Oriskany. Both were primarily open water rec diving outfits. One outfit didn't even bat an eye at my profile. But the other didn't condone penetration. Here's what this one said in part . .

"I will be taking tech divers to the wreck, although I would strongly advise against and do not condone any penetration dives on the Oriskany. There is nothing inside worth dieing for!"
It would be funny if he restricted their dive plan. Just wanted to give a heads up in case you decided you wanted to do some steel cave diving.

I'd probably just charter a boat, it'll be cheaper that way and you can do whatever profiles you'd like to do!!

A friend of mine who's got a boat is going to bring it down and we'll spend three to four days on the Oriskany, and just split the costs. We figured this out the other night when he mentioned that it costs $150 a day to charter his boat (not including fuel etc), and I mentioned that it costs $75 a day to rent one of my Silent Submersions. We had a good laugh and decided we'll just round up some like minded folks and go dive it

Safe diving,

Rich

[Gibby]

Just rent a boat and bring your own captain.



G

[aw]

Just rent a boat and bring your own captain.

Good idea - Captain Morgan. Be good with punch right after a deep dive like that.

[Signal 20]

you ask too many questions and talk too much

Just take your lights and reels, jump in and do your dive and come back up with a grin on your face. It's that simple.

agree 100%

[andrebasso]

Hide your reels in your side pockets and tell them your doing a bow to stern tour - that way they won't question when you stay down for longer.

[cavdiver2]

There is a boat the will tech divers but you have to get the whole boat. Look on TDS I think someone posted it on there.

Michael