Wreck Diving

1. Wreck Diving Introduction Why Dive a Wreck Special Considerations What�s Expected of you

2. Why Wreck Dive? Curiosity � activated your imagination Wrecks activate your curiosity. it allows your imagination to run wild you can envision the past it allows you to play an active roleWrecks activate your curiosity. it allows your imagination to run wild you can envision the past it allows you to play an active role

3. Why Wreck Dive? History � you view a snapshot of the past History � you can get a snapshot of history you can feel as if you are more connected to the actual historical perspective you may even be luckily enough to find a new �snippet� which will leave your mark on historyHistory � you can get a snapshot of history you can feel as if you are more connected to the actual historical perspective you may even be luckily enough to find a new �snippet� which will leave your mark on history

4. Why Wreck Dive? History � you view a snapshot of the past History � in some cases the wreck confirms what we know and in others it may actually alter the current recorded history mistakes or misinterpretations are often may as to what really happened under water forensics may uncover the real stroryHistory � in some cases the wreck confirms what we know and in others it may actually alter the current recorded history mistakes or misinterpretations are often may as to what really happened under water forensics may uncover the real strory

5. Why Wreck Dive? History � you view a snapshot of the past History � in some rare cases the underwater artifacts are brought to the surface if place on display for public viewing it allows all of us to enjoy the pastHistory � in some rare cases the underwater artifacts are brought to the surface if place on display for public viewing it allows all of us to enjoy the past

6. Why Wreck Dive? Aquatic Life � it acts as an artificial reef Almost all wrecks act as artificial reefs as such they often attract a variety of sea life the longer they are down the more populated they becomeAlmost all wrecks act as artificial reefs as such they often attract a variety of sea life the longer they are down the more populated they become

7. Why Wreck Dive? Photography � wreck can be very photogenic Photography � Wreck can provide the most dramatic backgrounds available they offer perfect framing for portraits through such items as port holes and door ways your photographs allow you to share with those that can�t visit the underwater realm. Photography � Wreck can provide the most dramatic backgrounds available they offer perfect framing for portraits through such items as port holes and door ways your photographs allow you to share with those that can�t visit the underwater realm.

8. Artifacts � should I or shouldn�t I? Things to consider before you remove artifacts It may be illegal You may reduce its historical value You may not have the skills necessary to remove or preserve the artifacts Artifacts wrecks stripped of artifacts are far less interesting for the divers the artifacts should be left in place at least until a professional archeologist has determined their value in their place in history in most cases the untrained amateur archeologist will damage the artifact removing itArtifacts wrecks stripped of artifacts are far less interesting for the divers the artifacts should be left in place at least until a professional archeologist has determined their value in their place in history in most cases the untrained amateur archeologist will damage the artifact removing it

9. The Legal Aspect The Wreck may be subject to: International Law Federal Law State Law Local Law Things to consider before you remove artifacts It may be illegal Permits may be required Artifact recovery when you remove an artifact you are not only making the wreck less interesting but you MAY be breaking the law. you must consider local law, state law, federal law as well as International law permits most likely will be required as well as royalties paid you may have tax obligations In some cases IRS agents or state agents are posted on the recovery vessel Our past has dictated our present policy Abuse has been rampant throughout history Artifact recovery when you remove an artifact you are not only making the wreck less interesting but you MAY be breaking the law. you must consider local law, state law, federal law as well as International law permits most likely will be required as well as royalties paid you may have tax obligations In some cases IRS agents or state agents are posted on the recovery vessel Our past has dictated our present policy Abuse has been rampant throughout history

10. Special Hazards Underwater Wrecks are subject to many different deteriorating forces Strong currents Sand (debris) blasting Bacterial material Worms Hazards � once a wreck is exposed to the elements for a period of time the wreck will start to deteriorate Often the cause of the wrecking itself is enough to create unique hazards such as broken wood, torn metal and entanglement problems Once on the bottom Mother Nature takes over. Currents � buffet and tear apart the wreck piece by piece Sand � acts with the current breaking down the material � in some cases hollowing out the stable base and causing the entire structure to shift Bacteria � tear down the structure from the inside out � actually devouring the material Worms - eat away at the organic materials Hazards � once a wreck is exposed to the elements for a period of time the wreck will start to deteriorate Often the cause of the wrecking itself is enough to create unique hazards such as broken wood, torn metal and entanglement problems Once on the bottom Mother Nature takes over. Currents � buffet and tear apart the wreck piece by piece Sand � acts with the current breaking down the material � in some cases hollowing out the stable base and causing the entire structure to shift Bacteria � tear down the structure from the inside out � actually devouring the material Worms - eat away at the organic materials

11. Special Hazards Hazards are created as the wreck deteriorates Mankind can also add to the hazards Considerations Each diver must be away of the ever present possibility of each of the following: Sharp objects � possible hazard for punctures and cuts entanglement issues � what were once secure cables can rust away and become hazards � nets from trawlers may appear � fishing lines can become a problem Aquatic life of all types are attracted. The wreck, acting as an artificial reef, becomes a smorgasbord for creatures of all sizes Structural integrity becomes an issue. Shifting sand platforms which were holding the ship stable can change, the actual physical structure deteriorates � collapse may become imminent. Surge and suction pocket WILL occur � the naive diver must education himself as to the potential for these forces. You may be swimming along the walkway of a ship and then suddenly find yourself sucked into one of the portholes. Considerations Each diver must be away of the ever present possibility of each of the following: Sharp objects � possible hazard for punctures and cuts entanglement issues � what were once secure cables can rust away and become hazards � nets from trawlers may appear � fishing lines can become a problem Aquatic life of all types are attracted. The wreck, acting as an artificial reef, becomes a smorgasbord for creatures of all sizes Structural integrity becomes an issue. Shifting sand platforms which were holding the ship stable can change, the actual physical structure deteriorates � collapse may become imminent. Surge and suction pocket WILL occur � the naive diver must education himself as to the potential for these forces. You may be swimming along the walkway of a ship and then suddenly find yourself sucked into one of the portholes.

12. Special Hazards Sharp Objects: Sharp objects: steel rusts and breaks wood can splinter Sharp objects: steel rusts and breaks wood can splinter

13. Special Hazards Entanglement: Entanglement: rigging lines fishing lines from topside fisherman trawling nets from shrimpers Entanglement: rigging lines fishing lines from topside fisherman trawling nets from shrimpers

14. Special Hazards Aquatic Life: Aquatic life: wreck becomes an artificial reef � as such it will attract predators of all sizesAquatic life: wreck becomes an artificial reef � as such it will attract predators of all sizes

15. Special Hazards Structural Integrity: Structural Integrity: even the most robust human structures will break down over time. Know the particular nuances of the wreck you are diving.Structural Integrity: even the most robust human structures will break down over time. Know the particular nuances of the wreck you are diving.

16. Special Hazards Surge and Suction: Surge and Suction: always be aware of the potential for forces that you had not planed for � know what to do to protect yourself. Anticipate the unexpectedSurge and Suction: always be aware of the potential for forces that you had not planed for � know what to do to protect yourself. Anticipate the unexpected

17. Special Considerations Deeper Depth: Deeper Depth you will use your air supply more quickly Bring extra air Know you decompression status Understand the potential for narcosis.Deeper Depth you will use your air supply more quickly Bring extra air Know you decompression status Understand the potential for narcosis.

18. Special Considerations Orientation (briefing): Orientation: every good dive charter will give you a dive orientation listen closely in both the interest of safety as well as enjoyment If you are diving on your own � research the wreck � know the hazards as well as the points of interest before you go down. Orientation: every good dive charter will give you a dive orientation listen closely in both the interest of safety as well as enjoyment If you are diving on your own � research the wreck � know the hazards as well as the points of interest before you go down.

19. Special Considerations Wreck Penetration: Penetration: DON�T PENETRATE THE WRECK cave diving can be dangerous but it is no where near the level of danger that wreck penetration presents a wreck may not be oriented in an aspect that you may be used to - thus causing a loss of direction there may be unexpected collapsed or blocked passageways you most likely will NOT have direct access to the surface � thus requiring a different equipment configuration falling objects � objects that appear to be stable can quickly become unstable with the addition of your exhaled bubbles silt � with little of no movement in an enclosed room any particulate on the bottom quickly goes into suspension. It may reduce the visibility to zero. Penetration: DON�T PENETRATE THE WRECK cave diving can be dangerous but it is no where near the level of danger that wreck penetration presents a wreck may not be oriented in an aspect that you may be used to - thus causing a loss of direction there may be unexpected collapsed or blocked passageways you most likely will NOT have direct access to the surface � thus requiring a different equipment configuration falling objects � objects that appear to be stable can quickly become unstable with the addition of your exhaled bubbles silt � with little of no movement in an enclosed room any particulate on the bottom quickly goes into suspension. It may reduce the visibility to zero.

20. Special Considerations Wreck Penetration:

21. Assessing a Wreck Identify:

22. Assessing a Wreck Navigate: Navigating a wreck: baseline � if the wreck is scattered and no longer holds its original shape you can use the baseline method. Run a line the length of the debris field. As a diver run down the line and at specifies distances make 90 degree turns off the line. Always come back to the line for a more intact ship which still has points of interests attached just follow for point to point. Ie: from the wheel house to the crows nest to the radio room to the bow You can also navigate a wreck just as you would walk it if it were afloat. Ie: drop onto the bow, traverse up the port gunwale across the stern and back up the starboard gunale. Navigating a wreck: baseline � if the wreck is scattered and no longer holds its original shape you can use the baseline method. Run a line the length of the debris field. As a diver run down the line and at specifies distances make 90 degree turns off the line. Always come back to the line for a more intact ship which still has points of interests attached just follow for point to point. Ie: from the wheel house to the crows nest to the radio room to the bow You can also navigate a wreck just as you would walk it if it were afloat. Ie: drop onto the bow, traverse up the port gunwale across the stern and back up the starboard gunale.

23. Assessing a Wreck Navigate using the ships baseline

24. Assessing a Wreck Navigate using the ships features

25. Assessing a Wreck Navigate using the ships layout

26. What we expect from you! Observe and use your diving skills! Buddy skill � monitor air supply � buoyancy control