Christian, an October 1992 guest shares his dive log....
I QUOTE:
Following
is a listing of my dives done from the Thorfinn (more > correctly, from her dive
tenders).
The Thorfinn stays put, the tenders take you to various dive
sites, which is great because the whole ship's complement is not on the same site
every time, which could make for crowded scenery.
The tenders have a maximum
of seven (IIRC) including the boat driver/keeper and any guide/s. I note that
two new tenders are being built as I write this (March, 2005) where the maximum
number of divers will be 10, including two guides.
These tenders, twin
engined, are capable of going to the fringing reefs - if there are enough people
"wrecked out", a condition I am incapable of.
As I understand it there
is (still, today!!!) one dive operator routinely tethering to the wrecks. I find
that unbelievable, especially > since they are all war graves.
A 500 ton
ship attached to a WWII wreck is, to my mind, not a pretty sight. At all! Please
note that these dives were done in October, 1992.
Before criticising what
may today seem questionable practices, remember when they were done. All dives
were done on a single (aluminium) tank on a backpack, skinsuit, no BCD, no weight
belt and lots of camera. All depths are in metres and times in minutes unless
otherwise stated (decimal points of a minute actually indicate seconds).
Oh,
and in those days we used the US Yoke (A Clamp) system, which, today, makes me
shudder rather more than somewhat but I suspect that the A Clamp system still
rules - OK. At least in the US and Micronesia.
Instrumentation was (actually,
it still is) a Uwatec Bottom timer (IMO > a great piece of kit and I hope that
they never discontinue it) backed up by a Citizen Aqualand Dive Watch.
Decompression
information as well as specific other information is only shown (that is, I only
bothered to write it in) for those "deeper" dives. Some deco stops may seem to
be at odd depths, that's because of the local scenery at that depth, usually a
mast or kingpost or something, splendid with soft coral.
Please assume
that, even though they may not be specifically shown, all dives included safety
stops of various durations/depths with some more significant than others.
Descent
time may seem suspect to some but, yes, I do descend fast since I am not limited
by my eustachian tubes which remain open on descent. That's a good trick to learn
(not all are capable of it). It's worth noting that at no time did I go deeper
"because it was there", so the Maximum Attained Depth (hmmmmmm - MAD?) should
be, at all times, the maximum depth you would go to for your own bit of sightseeing,
that you should have no need to go deeper on that particular wreck even if the
possibility exists.
Of course, YMMV. Some may not know that the Japanese
word "Maru" in effect means merchant ship, which is why the Sutsuki is not described
as the Sutsuki Maru. There were, however, very few Japanese warships sunk since
there were few there in the first place.
The dive guides often have bits
of stuff secreted away on a wreck which they display for your viewing/photographing
pleasure. That's fine if it's china, or a sextant or something but I personally
(note: personally) draw the line at bones and things. I don't care whose bones
they are, they should be left to lie in peace.
Explanations: Dive No -
the first two numbers indicate the chronological number of that dive (of, in this
case, the Chuuk series of dives), the alphabetical letter which follows the (/)
forward slash indicates the diving day.
Thus 01/A means dive 1 of diving
day 1, 13/E means dive 13 (of the series) of diving day 5 and is actually the
first dive of that particular day. Statistical: No of dives: In all I did 43 dives
over a period of thirteen (diving) days, an average of 3.3 dives per day. If you
take out the first and last days/dives on each of which I only did one dive, I
averaged 3.7 dives per day of which the deepest is actually unrecorded as to depth
>(naughty/stupid me).
Average deepest depth: 28.7 metres (of those dives
properly recorded) Average surface to surface time: 41 mins 33 seconds (of those
dives properly recorded).
Decompression calculations - were all done using
the BS-AC '88 tables and _no_ computer. I am not a particular fan of computers
- even today. If you are not into these tables, just ignore Surfacing Codes at
Entry/Exit since they will have no relevance to you.
Notes - that last
bit at the end of each Log. I didn't make many notes, simply because this was
for my personal edification - I had no idea at that time that I actually might
publish this. What can you learn from that? Depending on the note, I was particularly
impressed/unimpressed.
Here we go:
Dive No: 01/A >
Dive
Site: Gosei Maru >
Surfacing Code at Entry: A >
Descent Time: 1
>
Actual Bottom Time: >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: Immediate and gradual
>
Surface to Surface Time: 50.36 >
Maximum Attained Depth: 22.1
> Surface Interval: 24+hrs mins >
Deco at 7 to 5m: 12 >
Surfacing
Code at Exit: G >
Notes: > >
Dive No: 02/B >
Dive
Site: Nippo Maru >
Surfacing Code at Entry: A >
Descent Time: 1
>
Actual Bottom Time: 16 >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: 1.30 >
Surface
to Surface Time: 39.28 >
Maximum Attained Depth: 39.9 >
Surface
Interval: 16hrs 30mins >
Deco at 18m: 1 >
Deco at 10m: 14 >
Deco
at 5m: 5 >
Surfacing Code at Exit: G >
Notes: > >
Dive
No: 03/B >
Dive Site: Yamagiri Maru >
Surfacing Code at Entry:
C >
Descent Time: 0.30 >
Actual Bottom Time: 16 >
Ascent
to 1st Stop Time: 1.30 >
Surface to Surface Time: 45 >
Maximum Attained
Depth: 31.6 >
Surface Interval: 2hrs 20mins >
Deco at 9m: 7 >
Deco
at 6m: 20 >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing Code at Exit: G >
Notes:
> >
Dive No: 04/B >
Dive Site: Sankisan Maru >
Surfacing
Code at Entry: C >
Descent Time: - >
Actual Bottom Time: 29 >
Ascent
to 1st Stop Time: 1 >
Surface to Surface Time: 48.07 >
Maximum Attained
Depth: 19.6 >
Surface Interval: 2hrs 30mins >
Deco at 9m: 7 >
Deco
at 6m: 11 >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing Code at Exit: G >
Notes:
> >
Dive No: 05/B >
Dive Site: Fujikawa Maru >
Surfacing
Code at Entry: B >
Descent Time: 1.30 >
Actual Bottom Time: >
Ascent
to 1st Stop Time: >
Surface to Surface Time: 24 >
Maximum Attained
Depth: 13.9 >
Surface Interval: 4hrs 10mins >
Deco at 9m: >
Deco at 6m: >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing Code at Exit: D >
Notes:
Night Dive > >
Dive No: 06/C >
Dive Site: I-69 Submarine
>
Surfacing Code at Entry: A >
Descent Time: 1.30 >
Actual
Bottom Time: 14.30 >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: 2 >
Surface to Surface
Time: 36.31 >
Maximum Attained Depth: 35.3 >
Surface Interval: 12hrs
30mins >
Deco at 18m: 1 >
Deco at 12m: 2 >
Deco at 9m: 5
>
Deco at 6m: 10 >
Surfacing Code at Exit: G >
Notes: > >
Dive No: 07/C >
Dive Site: Kansho Maru >
Surfacing
Code at Entry: C >
Descent Time: 1 >
Actual Bottom Time: 16 >
Ascent
to 1st Stop Time: 1 >
Surface to Surface Time: 46.52 >
Maximum Attained
Depth: 30.3 >
Surface Interval: 2hrs 10mins >
Deco at 12m: 2 > Deco
at 9m: 5 >
Deco at 6m: 21 >
Surfacing Code at Exit: G >
Notes:
> >
Dive No: 08/C >
Dive Site: Shinkoku Maru >
Surfacing
Code at Entry: C >
Descent Time: 0.30 >
Actual Bottom Time: 29 >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: 0.30 >
Surface to Surface Time: 46.52 >
Maximum Attained Depth: 22.6 >
Surface Interval: 2hrs 00mins >
Deco at 12m: 3 >
Deco at 9m: 6 >
Deco at 6m: 19 >
Surfacing
Code at Exit: G >
Notes: This is a tanker and a superb dive > >
Dive
No: 09/C >
Dive Site: Fujikawa Maru >
Surfacing Code at Entry:
C >
Descent Time: 0.30 >
Actual Bottom Time: 24 >
Ascent
to 1st Stop Time: 0.30 >
Surface to Surface Time: 43.20 >
Maximum
Attained Depth: 20.4 >
Surface Interval: 2hrs 15mins >
Deco at 9m:
4 > Deco at 6m: 10 >
Deco at 3m: 3 >
Surfacing Code at Exit: G >
Notes: Dusk dive, this is also a superb wreck and very popular because
of relative shallowness > >
Dive No: 10/D >
Dive Site: Shotan
Maru >
Surfacing Code at Entry: B >
Descent Time: 2 >
Actual
Bottom Time: 10 >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: 2 >
Surface to Surface
Time: 30.08 >
Maximum Attained Depth: 46.8 >
Surface Interval: 15hrs
00mins >
Deco at 18m: 2 >
Deco at 12m: 4 > Deco at 9m: 2 >
Deco
at 6m: 6 >
Surfacing Code at Exit: G >
Notes: Great foregun > >
Dive No: 11/D > Dive Site: Heian Maru >
Surfacing Code at
Entry: C >
Descent Time: 0.30 >
Actual Bottom Time: 45 (includes
20 mins at 12m) >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: n/a >
Surface to Surface
Time: 53.17 >
Maximum Attained Depth: 26.4 >
Surface Interval: 2hrs
00mins > Deco at 9m: 5 >
Deco at 6m: >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing
Code at Exit: >
Notes: Submarine Tender > >
Dive No: 12/D
>
Dive Site: "Kate" Torpedo Bomber >
Surfacing Code at Entry: G
>
Descent Time: 1 >
Actual Bottom Time: 8 >
Ascent to 1st
Stop Time: 3.30 >
Surface to Surface Time: 12.03 >
Maximum Attained
Depth: 35.8 >
Surface Interval: na hrs na mins >
Deco at 9m: >
Deco
at 6m: >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing Code at Exit: G >
Notes:
The %#* dive guide had moved the anchor. As soon as I noticed it had "gone missing"
I did a blue water ascent > >
Dive No: 13/E >
Dive Site:
Aikoku Maru >
Surfacing Code at Entry: A >
Descent Time: 2 >
Actual
Bottom Time: 12 >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: 1 (from bridge) >
Surface
to Surface Time: 40.24 >
Maximum Attained Depth: 50.6 >
Surface
Interval: 18hrs 15mins >
Deco at 18m: 1 >
Deco at 12m: 4 >
Deco
at 9m: 8 >
Deco at 6m: 12 >
Surfacing Code at Exit: G >
Notes:
40m top of bridge, 49 on deck. Top Stern gun and there's great AA gun pointing
up. It was obviously in use until she sank. > >
Dive No: 14/E >
Dive Site: Fujikawa Maru >
Surfacing Code at Entry: C >
Descent
Time: ? >
Actual Bottom Time: 27 >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: >
Surface
to Surface Time: 50.32 >
Maximum Attained Depth: 24.4 >
Surface
Interval: 2hrs 00mins >
Deco at 12m: 5 >
Deco at 9m: 8 >
Deco
at 6m: 10 >
Surfacing Code at Exit: >
Notes: You can't really get
tired of this wreck. > >
Dive No: 15/E >
Dive Site: Rio de
Janeiro Maru >
Surfacing Code at Entry: C >
Descent Time: 1 >
Actual
Bottom Time: 26 (gradual ascent to 10m) >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: na >
Surface to Surface Time: 51.19 >
Maximum Attained Depth: 29.2 >
Surface Interval: 2hrs 20mins >
Deco at 10m: 15 >
Deco at
6m: 10 >
Surfacing Code at Exit: G >
Notes: Lies on her side. >
>
Dive No: 16/F >
Dive Site: San Francisco Maru >
Surfacing
Code at Entry: A >
Descent Time: 1.30 >
Actual Bottom Time: 11.30
>
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: 4 >
Surface to Surface Time: 39.42 >
Maximum Attained Depth: 50.6 >
Surface Interval: 18hrs 15mins >
Deco at 18m: 1 >
Deco at 12m: 2 >
Deco at 9m: 8 >
Deco
at 6m: 11 >
Surfacing Code at Exit: G >
Notes: Did not go below
the deck (she lies upright).Tanks, trucks, mines, I could spend days on this thing.
> >
Dive No: 17/F >
Dive Site: Godei Maru >
Surfacing
Code at Entry: C >
Descent Time: na >
Actual Bottom Time: 38 >
Ascent
to 1st Stop Time: na >
Surface to Surface Time: 46.53 >
Maximum
Attained Depth: 21.2 >
Surface Interval: 2hrs 00mins >
Deco at 9m:
>
Deco at 6m: >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing Code at Exit: >
Notes:
> >
Dive No: 18/F >
Dive Site: Shinkoku Maru >
Surfacing
Code at Entry: C >
Descent Time: na >
Actual Bottom Time: 44 >
Ascent
to 1st Stop Time: 1 >
Surface to Surface Time: 54.55 >
Maximum Attained
Depth: up to 27.9 but mostly shallower >
Surface Interval: ?hrs mins >
Deco at 9m: 5 >
Deco at 6m: >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing
Code at Exit: >
Notes: > >
Dive No: 19/F >
Dive Site:
Pugh >
Surfacing Code at Entry: C >
Descent Time: >
Actual
Bottom Time: >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: >
Surface to Surface Time:
>
Maximum Attained Depth: 13.8 >
Surface Interval: 2hrs 00mins >
Deco at 9m: >
Deco at 6m: >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing
Code at Exit: E >
Notes: 1965 ex narcotics boat about the size of the Thorfinn
and sunk purposely. Frankly, I wouldn't bother with it when there are so many
truly great wrecks lying around. > >
Dive No: 20/G >
Dive
Site: Seiko Maru >
Surfacing Code at Entry: A >
Descent Time: 1
>
Actual Bottom Time: 18 >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: 2 >
Surface
to Surface Time: 38.13 >
Maximum Attained Depth: 40.6 >
Surface
Interval: 14hrs 30mins >
Deco at 12m: 3 >
Deco at 9m: 5 >
Deco
at 3m: > S
urfacing Code at Exit: E >
Notes: > >
Dive No:
21 >
Dive Site: Sutsuki >
Surfacing Code at Entry: C >
Descent
Time: >
Actual Bottom Time: >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: >
Surface
to Surface Time: 35 >
Maximum Attained Depth: 11.7 >
Surface Interval:
2hrs 15mins >
Deco at 9m: >
Deco at 6m: >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing
Code at Exit: >
Notes: IIRC this was the destroyer type warship built for
speed. Very narrow, quite small and definitely not built to accommodate average
weStern build. > >
Dive No: 22G >
Dive Site: Sankisan Maru
>
Surfacing Code at Entry: C >
Descent Time: >
Actual Bottom
Time: 25 >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: >
Surface to Surface Time: 45
>
Maximum Attained Depth: 21.9 >
Surface Interval: 2hrs 00mins >
Deco at 9m: 5 >
Deco at 6m: 15 >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing
Code at Exit: G >
Notes: The world's soft coral capital? The deco stops
along the soft coral covered mast are most impressive. > >
From here on
in my record keeping was, shall we say, less than stellar, shoddy in fact. > >
Dive No: 23G >
Dive Site: ? >
Surfacing Code at Entry:
? >
Descent Time: ? > Actual Bottom Time: ? >
Ascent to 1st Stop
Time: ? >
Surface to Surface Time: ? >
Maximum Attained Depth: ?
Dive No: 24G >
Dive Site: Fujikawa Maru >
Surfacing
Code at Entry: >
Descent Time: 0.30 >
Actual Bottom Time: 20 >
Ascent
to 1st Stop Time: 0.30 >
Surface to Surface Time: 38 >
Maximum Attained
Depth: 24.8 >
Surface Interval: 2hrs 00mins >
Deco at 9m: 7 >
Deco
at 6m: 10 >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing Code at Exit: >
Notes:
> >
Dive No: 25/H >
Dive Site: Hoki Maru >
Surfacing
Code at Entry: B >
Descent Time: 0.30 >
Actual Bottom Time: 17 >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: 0.30 >
Surface to Surface Time: 41.28 >
Maximum Attained Depth: 26.8 >
Surface Interval: 14hrs 15mins >
Deco at 18m: 2 >
Deco at 12m: 13 >
Deco at 9m: 5 >
Deco
at 6m: 13 >
Surfacing Code at Exit: G >
Notes: Trucks and earthmoving
equipment > >
Dive No: 26/H >
Dive Site: Fujikawa Maru >
Surfacing Code at Entry: >
Descent Time: 0.30 >
Actual Bottom
Time: 35 >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: 2.35 (up mast) >
Surface to
Surface Time: 61.01 >
Maximum Attained Depth: 26.8 >
Surface Interval:
1hrs 55mins >
Deco at 9m: 6 >
Deco at 6m: 17 >
Deco at 3m:
>
Surfacing Code at Exit: >
Notes: > >
Dive No: 27/H >
Dive Site: Yamagiri Maru >
Surfacing Code at Entry: >
Descent
Time: 0.30 >
Actual Bottom Time: 23 >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: 0.30
>
Surface to Surface Time: 60.00 >
Maximum Attained Depth: ? >
Surface
Interval: 2hrs 05mins >
Deco at 12m: 1 >
Deco at 9m: 6 >
Deco
at 6m: 29 >
Surfacing Code at Exit: >
Notes: > >
Dive
No: 28/H >
Dive Site: "Betty" bomber >
Surfacing Code at Entry:
>
Descent Time: 0.30 >
Actual Bottom Time: 19 >
Ascent to
1st Stop Time: 0.30 >
Surface to Surface Time: 24.45 >
Maximum Attained
Depth: 20.2 >
Surface Interval: 2hrs 10mins >
Deco at 9m: >
Deco
at 6m: >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing Code at Exit: >
Notes: >
>
Dive No: 29/H >
Dive Site: Hoyo Maru >
Surfacing
Code at Entry: >
Descent Time: >
Actual Bottom Time: >
Ascent
to 1st Stop Time: >
Surface to Surface Time: 37.22 >
Maximum Attained
Depth: 29.7 >
Surface Interval: 2hrs 45mins >
Deco at 9m: Some >
Deco at 6m: Some >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing Code at Exit:
>
Notes: Called the upside down wreck, this was a night dive and, yes,
I managed to get lost in it all by my lonesome. When I managed to extricate myself
I was one seriously chastened (and scared) diver. At one point I switched off
my torch to try to detect any other light source (didn't work) and I'm here to
tell you that you haven't seen black until you've seen the black inside a wreck
at night.
Dive No: 30/J >
Dive Site: Nippo Maru >
Surfacing
Code at Entry: >
Descent Time: 1 >
Actual Bottom Time: 16 >
Ascent
to 1st Stop Time: 1 >
Surface to Surface Time: 35.53 >
Maximum Attained
Depth: 36.8 >
Surface Interval: 10hrs 15mins >
Deco at 18m: 2 >
Deco at 12m: 3 >
Deco at 9m: 7 >
Deco at 6m: 6 >
Surfacing
Code at Exit: >
Notes: Field gun and tank > >
Dive No: 31/J >
Dive Site: Kansho Maru >
Surfacing Code at Entry: >
Descent
Time: 0.30 >
Actual Bottom Time: 24 (gradual ascent to 13m for last ten
mins) >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: >
Surface to Surface Time: 46.07
>
Maximum Attained Depth: 26 > Surface Interval: 1hrs 50mins >
Deco
at 9m: 4 >
Deco at 6m: 18 >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing Code
at Exit: >
Notes: good engine room > >
Dive No: 32/J >
Dive
Site: Gosei Maru >
Surfacing Code at Entry: >
Descent Time: 0.30
>
Actual Bottom Time: 36 (90% at less than 18m) >
Ascent to 1st
Stop Time: >
Surface to Surface Time: >
Maximum Attained Depth:
44.58 >
Surface Interval: 2hrs 10mins >
Deco at 9m: 8 >
Deco
at 6m: >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing Code at Exit: >
Notes: >
>
Dive No: 33/J >
Dive Site: "Emily" Flying Boat >
Surfacing
Code at Entry: >
Descent Time: >
Actual Bottom Time: 23 >
Ascent
to 1st Stop Time: >
Surface to Surface Time: 27.00 >
Maximum Attained
Depth: 17.1 >
Surface Interval: 2hrs 00mins >
Deco at 9m: >
Deco
at 6m: 4 >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing Code at Exit: >
Notes:
didn't make any so it's pronbably forgettable >
Dive No: 34/J >
Dive Site: Fujiyama Maru >
Surfacing Code at Entry: >
Descent
Time: >
Actual Bottom Time: 38 >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: 6+ >
Surface
to Surface Time: 46.43 >
Maximum Attained Depth: 24.5 >
Surface
Interval: 3hrs 10mins >
Deco at 9m: >
Deco at 6m: 8 >
Deco
at 3m: >
Surfacing Code at Exit: >
Notes: night dive, the strobe
flooded just as we found this perfect little lionfish entirely suited to my macro
lens. > >
Dive No: 35/K >
Dive Site: Monokawa Maru >
Surfacing
Code at Entry: >
Descent Time: 1 >
Actual Bottom Time: 19 >
Ascent
to 1st Stop Time: 1 >
Surface to Surface Time: 36.58 >
Maximum Attained
Depth: ? > Surface Interval: ?hrs mins >
Deco at 18m: 1 >
Deco at
9m: 5 >
Deco at 6m: 9 >
Surfacing Code at Exit: >
Notes:
big, too deep to properly explore (and I forgot what depth I got to) > >
Dive
No: 36K >
Dive Site: Unkai Maru No 6 >
Surfacing Code at Entry:
>
Descent Time: 1 >
Actual Bottom Time: 24 >
Ascent to 1st
Stop Time: 3 (up King Post) >
Surface to Surface Time: 42.39 >
Maximum
Attained Depth: 30.6 >
Surface Interval: ?hrs mins >
Deco at 9m:
3 >
Deco at 6m: 11 >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing Code at Exit:
>
Notes: > >
Dive No: 37/K >
Dive Site: Sankisan Maru
>
Surfacing Code at Entry: >
Descent Time: 0.30 >
Actual
Bottom Time: 23.30 18 - 3m in gradual ascent of 30mins) >
Ascent to 1st
Stop Time: >
Surface to Surface Time: 54.52 >
Maximum Attained Depth:
24.2 >
Surface Interval: 2hrs 05mins >
Deco at 9m: >
Deco
at 6m: >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing Code at Exit: >
Notes: >
>
Dive No: 38/K >
Dive Site: Heian Maru >
Surfacing
Code at Entry: >
Descent Time: 0.30 >
Actual Bottom Time: 17 >
Ascent
to 1st Stop Time: >
Surface to Surface Time: 28.24 >
Maximum Attained
Depth: 29.7 >
Surface Interval: 2hrs 15mins >
Deco at 10m: 11 >
Surfacing Code at Exit: >
Notes: at 11,600 tons the largest ship
sunk. This submarine tender has periscopes lying on the deck. > >
Dive
No: 39/L >
Dive Site: I-169 submarine >
Surfacing Code at Entry:
>
Descent Time: 1 >
Actual Bottom Time: 13.20 >
Ascent to
1st Stop Time: 2 >
Surface to Surface Time: 35.17 >
Maximum Attained
Depth: 38.9 >
Surface Interval: 14hrs 10mins >
Deco at 18m: 1 >
Deco at 9m: 4 >
Deco at 6m: 14 >
Surfacing Code at Exit:
>
Notes: > >
Dive No: 40/L >
Dive Site: Rio De Janeiro
Maru >
Surfacing Code at Entry: >
Descent Time: 0.30 >
Actual
Bottom Time: 50 (20 mins at less than 15m) >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: 4
>
Surface to Surface Time: 62.11 >
Maximum Attained Depth: 30.1
>
Surface Interval: 2hrs 05mins >
Deco at 9m: 4 >
Deco at
6m: 8 >
Deco at 3m: >
Surfacing Code at Exit: >
Notes: Crates
of (sake?) bottles, massive shells. > >
Dive No: 41/L >
Dive
Site: Fujiyama Maru >
Surfacing Code at Entry: >
Descent Time: >
Actual Bottom Time: 40 >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: >
Surface
to Surface Time: 39.33 >
Maximum Attained Depth: 27.8 >
Surface
Interval: 3hrs 00mins >
Deco at 9m: 5 >
Deco at 6m: 9 >
Deco
at 3m: >
Surfacing Code at Exit: >
Notes: Zero fighters in the hold.
No way would I fit into the cockpit even with just swimmers on. > >
Dive
No: 42/L >
Dive Site: Sutsuki >
Surfacing Code at Entry: >
Descent
Time: >
Actual Bottom Time: 39.33 >
Ascent to 1st Stop Time: >
Surface
to Surface Time: 39.33 >
Maximum Attained Depth: 11.6 >
Surface
Interval: 0hrs 55mins >
Deco at 9m: >
Deco at 6m: >
Deco
at 3m: >
Surfacing Code at Exit: >
Notes: night dive, black lion
fish > >
Dive No: 43/M >
Dive Site: Nikko Maru >
Surfacing
Code at Entry: >
Descent Time: 1 >
Actual Bottom Time: 19 >
Ascent
to 1st Stop Time: 0.30 >
Surface to Surface Time: 40.53 >
Maximum
Attained Depth: 44.2 >
Surface Interval: 14hrs 15mins >
Deco at
18m: 1 >
Deco at 9m: 6 >
Deco at 6m: 4 >
Surfacing Code at
Exit: >
Notes: If you intend to go to Chuuk, here is some advice which
may be of value - which surely also applies elsewhere: Camera cowboys: Chuuk is
_hot_.
Always take a well washed towel with you to cover that system. Thoroughly
wet the towel on the return trip (keeps that nasty salt from crystallizing).
Remember
to re-wet it if the trip is long. You definitely need a hat with a broad brim
and a chinstrap as well as other appropriate protection (my lycra skinsuit was
terrific). Watch bare feet if you are wearing long, full foot fins as I sometimes
did. Sometimes? They're not really suited for wreck diving, too big, too cumbersome,
there's too much to belt around, especially on penetrations.
Never, never
ever, use someone else's medication [such as AquaEar (SP?)]. You don't know what
other nasties you might get as a result. I speak from experience.
Malaria
was not a problem in 1992, I don't know about today since it is spreading ever
more widely. I am paranoid about mosquitos at the best of times and have researched
the subject extensively.You're welcome to ask.
As for the Thorfinn, she
is continually being improved and goes into Cairns for yet another extensive refit
in a few months as I write (03/14/05 for the US, 14/03/05 for the rest of us).
The Thorfinn has been doing this Chuuk bit for jut a little while, as in
over two decades and Captain Lance's proud boast is that the dive regimens mapped
out on the Thorfinn have meant that no diver, as in none, has ever been bent.
That's actually an extraordinary record, given the number of divers and,
sometimes, aggressive dives. I hope that this gives you a better idea of what
diving Chuuk is all about.
If you consider that I can help further, feel
free to ask me (please explain the Chuuk angle) at: christiangerzner@mac.com
Ich spreche deutsch und/et je parle francais, mais pas bien.
UNQUOTE
