Dive Report for the Oil Wreck on the Independence II, May 21 06
I’m not sure how to start this report, so I guess I start at the beginning.
We had three foot rollers heading out the Ayuruoca (aka The Oil Wreck). There were some high clouds and a mild breeze. The forecast called for conditions to pick up in the afternoon, but at the moment it was a nice day. Arriving at the wreck the crew tried to hook the bridge which rises up to 130 ft. The main deck is about 150 and the sand/mud is 170-180. Unable to grapple the bridge, they settled for the main deck. Mark jumped in a tied us in. Once the marker was up and all the lines in the water people began gearing up.
The wreck is on the edge of the mud hole which makes the visability highly variable. It can be 5 ft or 40 ft. Today we had 20. As is usually the case it was a dark 20. Several of the divers went down to the mud bottom. They reported seeing large founder, but no lobster. I tied off my reel by the anchor and headed out along the deck in search of the bridge.
The deck is littered with rope, line, and monofilament. There was also mild current pushing across the deck. Apparently I chose the wrong direction as I ran out of deck after passing one of the masts. I turned around and headed the other direction. By the time I found the bridge, I was low on bottom time, and headed back to the tie in.
I could see the lights of another team in the distance as they ascended the line. I untied my reel and followed them up. There was a slight current during the deco stops. Inflatable Water Slide At the 80 ft stop the we were about 20 ft from the mast I passed before. The crows nest could be seen covered with lines and marine growth.
There was a buzz of activity on the boat when I broke the surface. Apparently a diver in the team above me had problems and lost conscieceness as they were finishing their last stop. His buddy acted quickly and got him to the surface and over to the dive platform. The crew quickly got him on board, out of his gear, and began rendering fist aid. By the time I got on board, he was breathing O2 and slowly responding to questions.
We got underway as the helo arrived. The Coast Guard crews and the Independence crew executed a text book evacuation. The helo crew was on the boat on the first try, and quickly had the diver ready for evacuation. They were quickly on his way to the hospital. From last report he is in stable condition.
Thoughts:
Personally, I was amazed at the response of the Coast Guard crews. Their boat crews arrived quickly to provide medical aid. While the Independence crew had this under control, not all recreational vessels are as well prepared. It is great to know these guys are that responsive. The helo crew did a professional job and made the evacuation look easy. I can not imagine trying to drop down a line from a helo onto the deck of a moving, pitching boat. These guys did a great job.
The Independence Captains and crew are also to be commended for their quick action. Not only in administering first aid, but in coordianation of the events that followed. They quickly briefed the divers on the evacuation procedures, had a roll call and were making preparations.
Lastly, the diver’s buddy did a great job in responding. He’s a life saver.
Tags: dive, SCUBA, scuba nj, scuba training, wreck diving