Dive 285

20 April 2002


Dunsborough WA
Wreck of the Swan


Max depth 32 m
Dive time 58 min
Bottom time 20 min
Deco stops 2 min @ 6 m, 21 min @ 3 m

TDI Decompression Diving course
Dive 3
Instructor: Neil Hackett

The plan for this dive was: 20 minutes @ 32 metres, 20 minutes @ 25 metres, then decompression 2 min @ 6 m, 21 min @ 3 m. (From US Navy Air Deco tables.) Decompression gas EAN 40.

Cape Dive's boat Cygnet II.

Double tanks (12.2 litre) of air, stage bottle (7 litre) of deco gas EAN 40.

6 lb was too much weight, with the double tanks and all. I sank, barely under control, but OK. We dropped to the sand, skirted the wreck, passing flathead which were distributed all over the place, even facing each other in groups of three. We swam out beyond the stern where there are some tiny little reefs. Found dead scallop shells but no live scallops.

We then realised that Neil had got us lost on purpose; none of us could point exactly in the right direction to the wreck, and Let That Be A Lesson.

Ascended to 25 m and followed the main passage through the wreck, up the funnel to main deck, in and out a few more times.

At the lift bag stage I managed to lose the locknut for Neil's DiveRite safety reel!! ..... expletive deleted. Neil however was more concerned that I was not paying close attention to depth at the deco stop. Told me I've got to practise holding that depth. I blame the overweighting.

Had a good long look at the batfish during the 23 minutes of decompression.

Forgot to record the air consumption on the two tanks, again.


 
temp 19°C
rubber 5mm titanium wetsuit, hood;  cool at end
weight 6 lb (belt); way over
tanks double 12.2 l steel + 7 l steel stage bottle
BC SeaQuest Pro QD