East Coast - full report

[Nick Kay]

East Coast “Ocean Dancer” – Trip Report
The original phone call said “do you fancy 2 days diving off the East Coast on the Dogger Bank?, don’t know any more than that other than the boat has a chamber on board so it must be a good/big one…”.
So, booked the Friday afternoon off work – plan was Friday pm: load, Sat: 3 dives, Sun: 2dives – a plan which was subsequently modified to be Fri: 1 dive, Sat: 2 dives, Sun: 1 dive.
Confirmation eventually arrived that the boat was the Ocean Dancer – the boat and crew have been on “Wreck Detectives”, National Geographic and regularly charted by Clive Cussler.
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66xl04 (Ocean Dancer)
Day 1:
Friday arrives and we’re at Grimsby Docks to load our gear. First things first – the crew have been spending time upgrading the boat – the forward covered deck area now contains the compressor, chamber and dry area, below decks they’ve been modifying/upgrading the living and galley areas (great job too).
So, before loading takes place, there’s the question of a load of gear to take off – as this is a “tech boat” and we were planning dives in the 35m range, there was no need for all the Helium and most of the O2 cylinders (we kept 2 on board). Once this was done, it was on with the dive kit, on with the food (nice to see a cook that looks like he enjoys his food – “Hi John”)
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66xnvc (Loading)
Then wait for the Dock Gates to open and we're off
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66y90z (Humber)
Plans for the weekend announced as:
1. Friday - Grangemouth II as a night dive
2. Saturday - Croma coastal area for dives 2 (Friesland) and 3 (Anna B)
3. Sunday - back to East Coast for dive 4 (TBD)
So, off we go, past Spurn Point. If John Dunwell is reading this, the picture shows what Spurn Point looks like:
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66xocn (Spurn Point)
For the record, the boat (ship) is ocean going and the crew have already taken her all over the world including Antigua and many other exotic and some (“classified”) locations. To say there is plenty of deckspace would be any understatement…
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66xo4p (Deskspace)
The development plans for the winter include a deck storage area for a “water-skiing capable rib” and individual kitting up areas for each of 12 (technical) divers.
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66xoah (The Chamber)
So, we settle down as a group, grab a tea/coffee, chat about diving, life, the world in general, followed by “tea”: Chilli followed by Apple Crumble (all made fresh by John’s own hands).
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66ya1d (Its a hard life)
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66yaah (But someone has to do it!)
The boat continues on its way and as dusk falls we get our kit ready and prepare to dive.
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66yaf4 (Time to kit up)
Dive 1: Grangemouth II
It turns out that “night dive” will mean getting into the water as the sun goes down; 30miles off shore with the shot in on a large broken up wreck.
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66yalc (Time to dive)
The wreck of the Grangemouth II allegedly has 2 boilers, though most divers will subsequently claim to have seen 3 (it was only 30-33m!) The skipper asks “if possible can you return to the Shotline”. Divers start to enter the water at around 9.30pm. Dave (my buddy and I) enter the water at 9.37pm, slight problem as Dave “realises” his drysuit might be slightly undone! Quick tug on his zip (well, I thought I was quick) and off we go down the Shotline. At the bottom of the Shotline we were presented with great viz (6m+) and a crankshaft which led us to 2 large (enormous) boilers. The whole area was teaming with lobsters and crabs. One diver later professed to eventually getting bored of trying to pick the best lobsters. A long gentle swim / rummage later we started to look for the Shotline. However, 35mins+ at 30m+ meant that deco was starting to mount, so it was up with the dsmb and the return to the surface. The ascent seemed slow – mainly to Dave realising the “zip delay” might just mean a leg-full or two of water… Anyway, up we go – a couple of deep / intermediate stops and we’re decoing at 3m (flat calm, no pull on the line) looking up at the moonlight suddenly thinking “how does a skipper find 5 dsmbs in the dark???”. Finally surface and “phew” the boat is about 50m away, up the ladder and realise we’re not to be the last up! One pair have the bright (literally) idea of whilst doing deco, shining their torches up their line to illuminate their dsmb – it does work!!!
Finally, all on board – Dave sloshes 2 leg-fulls of water out of his drysuit
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66yavc (Has this leaked?)
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66yc6p (err, yes)
while one diver shows off the letter “S” he found and other divers display their finds. The lobsters are put to one side to anticipate their fate, or at least, for us to anticipate tomorrow’s lunch…
By the time we’re out of kit, tidied up and in the saloon its gone 11.30pm – time for a quick socialise and then off to sleep.
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66yde9 (Gas Rigs that pass in the night)
Day 2:
Morning arrives with the smell of bacon & eggs cooking. Time for a shower and up to look at the glorious weather and discuss plans for the day. Dave takes the opportunity to see if it was the zip or a leak...
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66ycec (honestly I don't use much lead)
The plans turn out to be a cruise South for 2 dives – one afternoon and one evening (to be more accurate - by comparison to the previous day “late afternoon”).
Sunbathing on deck, more diver’s tales, lunch (including fresh lobster salad/sandwiches) and ready for the 2nd say’s dives.
Dive 2: Friesland
In goes the shot and then a wait for the “pill” to surface. Viz doesn’t look like it’’ll be as good as yesterday. Anyway, the “pill” surfaces and its into the water. Down the shot and on to the top of the wreck. This ones a “touch the bottom and everything’ll disappear” type dive. From my viewpoint, a look around type dive, though 3 of the pairs brought up bits & pieces.
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66ycs5 (Poor viz)
Main “bit of fun” on this dive was helping Dave put his fin back on whilst on the Shotline on the way back up.
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66ycyf (Hangtime #1)
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66yd05 (Hangtime #1)
Not much current or swell, so getting back into the boat was easy
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66yd5g (Where's the ladder?)
Dive 3: Anna B
Late afternoon dive, again looks like less viz than last night. Down the shot and my turn for a “funny” – brain decides it doesn’t want hands to let go of the Shotline – waits for 3 mins (longer?) until murk clears a bit and hey the shot weight is just below. Let go, down to the bottom but no wreck! There is however a line attached to the shot, so (1) attach our line and (2) follow the pink line – 3-4m further on the line is broken – however, dark shape in the “distance” infers the presence of something big and metallic – yep its an ocean going tug (on its side). Next to it is a reel (with pink line – there’s a story attached to this). Not just a tug, but BIG tug – lots to look at. By the time we’re looking round, a few pairs follow my line back to the shot. Eventually decide its time to return (deco already shows as 12mins) – as we’re on top of the wreck, decide to cut the distance line and “bag it” (cheap yellow distance line from B&Q – at least I’ll get the carabiner back when the Shotline is pulled up). Uneventful trip back up and 20mins of deco).
Chicken pasta and cheese & biscuits for tea, “socialise” and the skipper gives a list of possibles for the morning’s dive. We take a vote and LV-83 wins - then comes the “shock” from John… “I’ll knock on your doors to way you at 5am” (FIVE AM???). We all suddenly decide its time to hit the sacks.
Day 3:
Morning arrives with a knock on the door and the realisation that its 5am… Oh well, up we get – the shots already in. As we’re kitting up, the “pill” surfaces and there’s a realisation that slack has arrived earlier than we thought – mad dash to be in the water – achieved at 5.47am…
Dive 4: LV-83 (Lightship)
Down the Shotline. Bugger can see the shot – it’s not on the wreck – look up and “oops there it is”. LV-83 is a lightship – intact and upright, teaming with life. We let go of the shot and flare onto the wreck. Good look round – lots of crabs, lobsters etc. Plenty of time for a good explore before deco starts to mount and its time to return to the surface. Current has started to run, so attach Jon-lines, lay back and have a relaxed deco (easier than those forced to hold the line).
Big smiles all round – great wreck, great viz, great diving.
Dekit, pack up, get shower, eat breakfast and its still not yet 7.30am!!! OK, time to get some rays – we’re not that far from Grimsby Docks, but the gates don’t open until 2pm. More talking, reminiscing, we all decide that this is a “must do again” and start planning when we can next get on the boat. Final “shock” arrives when the group “bill” for Nitrox is provided – amounts to £5 per head!!!
http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=66yd7o (Catch some rays)
Time for the group photo (still waiting for that one to be emailed). Then, sunbathing over, we arrive back at Grimsby – narrowly avoiding being hit by a yacht. OK, power gives way to sail but when you’re stationary and 40m long, you’d think they could both see and miss you (by more than a narrow margin). Into Grimsby Docks, moor up and unload the boat – she’s back out immediately to Whitby to pick up Clive Cussler’s team for their annual charter…
Thanks to all of the crew for the truly excellent weekend – we’ll be coming back guys. Also, thanks to all of the divers for great company and safe diving…

[Nick Kay]

Thanks to Porg (for some reason it won't let me send you a green), I've hosted all of the pics

[mark w]

Sounds like a good weekend was had by you, was interested to hear about the vis, one or two of us wish to do the lightship so was pleased to hear it is well worth doing still. was hoping to hear you had also done the pidulski as we would like to do that too sometime too, but the distances involved means these take a lot of organising. we tried the brid early may (no vis due to bloom) but are due to try again on the weekend of 16th / 17th june so hopefully we will have better vis then.

[Ivon]

Originally Posted by mark w

Sounds like a good weekend was had by you, was interested to hear about the vis, one or two of us wish to do the lightship so was pleased to hear it is well worth doing still. was hoping to hear you had also done the pidulski as we would like to do that too sometime too, but the distances involved means these take a lot of organising. we tried the brid early may (no vis due to bloom) but are due to try again on the weekend of 16th / 17th june so hopefully we will have better vis then.

Im going out to the Pilsudski in the morning so ill let you know what the vis is like.
Ivon.

[Paul Beal]

Great report Nick, have a green!

Edit: need to spread some love first - one in the bank!

Paul

[aquaholic]

Thanks for the write up Nick.

Sounds like the ship has potential.. but where are the kitting up benches????

Anke

[keith_henson]

good report

green up


keith

EDIT: Bah have to spread myself around so to speak before allowing to flick greenies in your direction again

[Nick Kay]

I dunno - some people want everything....

As of when we dived, no benches

Boat on charter to Clive Cussler for next 6 weeks

The development plans for winter are to add full s/s kitting up areas for each of 12 twinned divers - each kitting up station including an area for the diver to store mask, fins, reels etc in addition to the seating/storage area for twins

Having seen what they've done to the boat so far, I have no reason to believe they won't do all of this.

Other "winter" development will include:
1. HP bank for the reco chamber
2. Air Bank for filling (so that don't have to always run the compressor)
3. Air Whips outside the covered area so you can get fills at/near your kitting up station
4. New rhib (can be lifted into/off the water by the winch)

By the way, accomodation is twin berth cabins, carpeted, central heated, individual bunk lighting. Saloon seating area for 12. Two showers

Electronics and safety gear more than up to scratch...

[ray]

Hi.


How much for the boat or per day?
Thanks