We dove for the first time with Dr. Dive (highly reccomended) . Dr. Dive, ran by Capt. Jim Meyers , runs a 26 -foot Glacier Bay Catamaran. The boat was set up real well for diving. The captain and his dive master set up all our gear and secured everything for the ride out. Usually I per fer setting my own dive gear up but I have to say it was nice just enjoying the boat ride out and not worrying about switching tanks in between dives. Once we were hooked into the wreck below the gear was placed up on the side and was very easy to slide into, from there it was just two steps off the back into the gulf.
This was my 15th and 16th dive on the Oriskany but my first in 2 years. It didn't take much time into the dive for me to wonder why I had waited so long to come back. The VIZ was great. At 40 ft I could see the deck which sits at 135-to 140 ft and there was no shortage of marine life to look at. Barracuda played around at the shallower depths while huge game fish swam around below. We even had a remora join us at our deco stop. Now I'm not a fish person but petting the remora was fun, what I enjoyed most however were the swim through. There are so many spots in the 80-130 ft range to explore. Most of the doors have been removed and passageways cleared out. You can travel down halls and up and down stair wells all the time being very close to the many exits. Its a divers playground. Now this isn't the place for new divers, the depths make it so that no decompression times are short. To really enjoy this dive you will be spending more than the allowed time. Especially if enjoying it includes exploring the inside of the ship. Now don't get me wrong, a basic recreational dive can be completed here we had two in our group that dove within all limits and had a wonderful time.
The water temp right now is still a bit chilly, mid 60's at depth to low 70's above but most of us did not notice the temps. The diving was excellent. If you haven't dove the Oriskany yet or just haven't been in a while get out there, you will not be disappointed. There are several great charters that run out to the Oriskany but if you looking to travel with a small group and get to the site earlier than all the other boats you can not go wrong with
DR DIVE.
http://www.drdive.com/
Captain Jim Meyers
Seville Harbour Marina
600 S. Barracks St.
Pensecola, FL ( right behind the Fish House)
850-932-6602
617-943-5553 (cell)
