Cape Hatteras North Carolina

Cape Hatteras North Carolina 8/19 - 8/22
Author: galedd@aol.com

Summary: 3 days of diving and one day blow out. None of the 6 dives, or days were the same. Water temp was 76, 78 and 81. First two days we dove the gulf stream: submarine (USS Tarpon) and Proteus deep dives, Two tankers shallow dives on the way back ( Abrams, Dixie Arrow). On Sunday we dove the Diamond Shoal: Xandra (bad vis) and Australia.

Details ( long) My dive club at work goes once a year to Hatteras NC, this is my first Hatteras trip (second NC dive). Rented a house for 8 (about $700) chartered a boat , Friday through Sunday with Cpt, Johnny Pieno on the Bayou Runner. 4 of us came down Wednesday, and were joined by three more on Thursday. Hatteras has three dive boats : Smoke gunner , Bayou runner, and Darling II (Cpt Art).

Thursday 8/19 Walk on with Darling II - Talking To Submarines.

We joined three divers from Massachusetts, They were looking for artifacts on the Tarpon ( third Tarpon dive that week). The Tarpon is in 133 feet about 30 miles out. They were planning deco dives with about 40-50 minutes safety stops. Once we left the protection of the Diamond Shoal, the water became rough, and we (Russ, Bruce, Myself) began "talking to submarines" (barfing). Russ decided to skip the first dive. This was the perfect dive, we could see the sub right away, barracuda welcomed us on the way down. We could see the sub from the hutch to end of the sub and there was no current. The resident tiger sharks mentioned in the dive book were not there. The water was 85 degree , thermo cline at about 80 feet with temperature 76. Nice dive, not much fish life. FW Abrams is a tanker at 84 feet. The dive was in green water. The visibility was about 50 feet. The reef is covered with bate fish, which makes it impossible to see beyond 20 feet. We used a navigation reel to find our way around. Yuri my buddy, caught dinner (spade fish). This wreck is very difficult to find your way around (more on this Sunday).

11 hours at sea, 4 "screams" at submarines, 3 fish (to eat), two wrecks, 1 submarine, 0 sharks/big "stuff".

Friday 8/20 Bayou Runner - Shark day

Conditions were good so Capatin Johnny Pieno suggested visit his favorite wreck the Proteous. The Proteous is a 400 feet long ocean liner in 117 feet. We had ten diverd on the boat: 6 members of our group (Russ stayed behind) and 4 walk ons. This was "almost" a Caribbean group. The walk ons used "only" aluminum 80. We were the "big" guys with the toys: Scooters, reels, guns. 120 cubic feet tanks and pony bottles. We left the dock to a perfect sunny day, as we were approaching the Proteous, a Thunder storm developed , the sky turned black and the sea choppy. The three veterans that dove the day before, were fine. Most ever one else on the boat were talking to submarines. John dove one tank, and Robbin did not dive at all that day.

The Proteus (117 feet, 79 f) is located near Tarpon but the visibility was worse than the previous day. There was cross current. Yuri , who has been there before, took me to the stern where 14 (fourteen) Sand Tigers small ( 6-9 feet) were laing in the sand , one was swimming towards us. We watch the computer go to 0 no deco. Went back to the anchor line, deco stops. On the boat it is poring with rain and thunder. It is warmer in the water than on the boat. I got my first NC sharks .. 14 of them.

The Dixie Arrow (87 feet) was the icing on the cake, The tanker in broken in half. Anchored near the stern . Wasted the beginning of the dive away from the stern (against the current). My Buddy was so busy looking for prey on the wreck, that we missed a big sting ray above us. Dove to the stern , a big Sand Tiger (12 feet) was cruising, on the stern a 5-6 feet baracuda. One diver saw a Jew fish. Lots of fish, Nice wreck awesome dive. Came out the water and the sun was out great day: back bay 3 pm lots of big stuff.

Saturday 8/21 Blow Out Rain and Thunder all night Friday. The "good" news is that the wind is blowing from the North so the visibility will be good Sunday.

Sunday 8/22 The Captains special and The Missing diver Two groups charter the Bayou runner, us and a group of divers from the Baltimore Aquarium for a total of 14 divers. Need to head home early to drive back to Maryland. I suggest the Dixie Arrow, as 100 out of 14 did not dive it yet that week end. The Captain has a special for us. The wind is coming from the north there fore we should not go to the Gulf stream We should dive the Diamond Shoal. A perfect day, sun is out small waves. We head to the Xandra ( 69 feet). 20 feet Visibility. On the anchor line 5 lines for navigation you could play cats cradle. The wreck is easy to find your way around. Lots of artifacts (silverware) and car tires. Ugly dive. I exit the water (with my great mannerism) I tell the captain, that if I wanted Ocean City Maryland conditions I can get them with out driving 7-8 hours. The captain redeems himself. He will give us the visibility if we are willing to go deeper on our second dive. We head to Australia (99feet). Much better visibility (50-60), nice wreck.

It's 1:00 O'clock we are done diving. We are heading home. On our way home we get a "may day" call. The Gun smoke lost a diver on the F.W Abrams wreck that we dove Thursday (see above). The Gunsmoke has divers on the line doing safety stops. We head towards the gulf stream (14 miles away), as we approach the Abrams, another boat found the diver. (I wish we had three tanks each on the boat). At 5 O'clock after a perfect day on the see and so so day under we dock

Bottom line 1. NC diving is advance diving, dive with a buddy, use navigation tools. 2. When visibility is good enjoy the wreck and fish life. Spear gun when there is nothing to see. 3. Go out when ever you can. Diving and "screaming" at submarines mix. 4. You get use to motion, patch or Dramamine do not help 5. No two dives or days in NC are the same.