Scuba Diving Equipment » Artificial Reef

Diving Artificial Reefs

admin — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 07:44:52 +0000

Last year I managed to get a trip out to Florida to do some diving, Being quite an experienced PADI Diver I decided to go and have a look at the Oriskany reef. The Oriskany Reef is an artificial reef made from and old air craft carrier – it’s quite a huge “wreck.” I use the term loosely as it was deliberately sunk to produce a new reef environment.

The Oriskany reef lies off the coast of Florida and is not recommended for novice divers as by US Marine Law it has to be a minimum of 55 feet navigational clearance from the surface to allow shipping to pass comfortably over it.

Having said that it is that far down you do not have to go down very far to get a good view of it. The massive air craft carrier is very awe inspiring site under water and although it had only been there for a short time in relative terms a lot of fish and reef organisms have made it there home.

Although I’m an experienced Wreck Diver I did not plan to go into this wreck merely to observe from the safest outside distance was enough for me. This was a really strange feeling to just above the top of the island of the flight deck.

These artificial reefs are going to transform the diving industry and also do a lot for the oceans ECO system, we need to see more developments in this field as more and more of the reefs that are current around the world do get damaged by inconsiderate divers.

By replenishing and conservation of existing reefs we may enjoy the spectacular array of life that manages to exist within the depths. I must admit I would quite like to do a wreck dive and penetrate the vessel just to see the varieties of fish that have made it there home. Not a deep penetration as this is highly not recommended but more of just inside to see a hanger deck.

This would require technical diving skills and a lot of good experts to get advice from before tackling this proposition I hope to be able to come back to this wreck within the next two years as a to have a more intense experience with this wreck.

The Oriskany when it was reefed landed in the upright position as this is an air craft carrier and the top of the ship is broader than the base it was not known if it was going to do this. It’s good that it did because it’s more familiar shape that seeing a wreck on its side.

I have dive many wrecks some of the best ones can be found at Scapa Flow in Shetland Islands. After the war a lot of German ships were scuttled there and remain as wrecks they are very popular with divers but it’s a hell of a long way to go to get there. You sometimes think about flying but that cuts down the amount of diving you can do, as most of the Scapa Flow ships are deep dives too.

I hope to find some more artificial reefs to explore and take more photos and keep a good record to see how these artificial grow in diving popularity.

By: Andy Bolton

Diving Florida’s East Coast

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:19:21 +0000

From Saint Augustine to Key West, there is a smorgasbord of diving adventures awaiting you with a pointed difference in each of the regions diving Florida’s East Coast.

South Florida’s visibility is much more clear than in the northern part of the state. And there are great wreck dives and rock ledges off the Central East Coast. More reef area off the Southern East Coast of Florida makes underwater photography a memorable addition to your dives.

Starting in the North East Coast of Florida from around Saint Augustine, diving the artificial reef systems and spear fishing are popular diver activities. The best time of year to venture up here for a dive is during the summer months when your visibility is around thirty to fifty feet. Expect a seven to twenty mile ride out to dive at depths of sixty to one-hundred feet. Try to spot a Hogfish while you are out taking in the site of the Triggerfish and Grouper.

Diving Central Florida’s East Coast offers a variety of challenging dives from WWII freighters and Monster Hole, to spear fishing and bug snatching. You can bag a monster lobster here. Summer months, again, are the best time of year to dive with visibility fluctuating between twenty five to seventy five feet, the best vis being off shore approximately eight to twenty miles.

Areas for beach dives start becoming frequent as you progress south beginning with Vero Beach. As you venture out around two to four hundred feet the views begin happening of sponges, soft corals and tropical fish hanging by the rocky reefs in depths of ten to thirty feet.

The city of Fort Pierce leads the introduction to the diving off Florida’s South East Coast. Three particular dives stand out in this section, a Civil War era paddle wheeler, the site of Urca de Lima Florida’s first Underwater Archaeological Preserve, and then there is Inlet Park which has a large variety of rock formations and ledges, with monster lobsters and outstanding fish observation or photography.

Stuart, Florida dives are not for the beginning diver. Visibility is low, the massive rock reef system begins about three miles offshore at depths of sixty to sixty five feet, and the outer ledges are at depths of one-hundred and twenty to one-hundred and sixty feet. Fewer divers mean a large variety of fish and monster lobster, but take this with a local Dive Master.

Florida reefs really start to emerge as you take the plunge diving Florida’s East Coast. A drift diving paradise from West Palm south to the Florida Keys offers reefs, wrecks, cleaning stations, multiple species of marine life, and the commencement of the warmer waters with good visibility.

Getting down toward the Keys, dives are more regulated, but beautiful and brilliant with lots of wrecks and marine life. Bring your camera on these dives, you might run into a Goliath Grouper, Moray Eel, or Caribbean Reef Shark. Some of the best photo opportunities diving Florida’s East Coast can be found in South Florida. Always check with your local dive shop for current conditions, plan your dive and dive your plan.

By: Wallace Haile

Scuba Diving – Scuba Diving the Wrecks in Florida Keys

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:24:27 +0000

If it weren’t for the coral reef located in the Florida Keys, the United States would have nothing to offer as far as scuba diving and coral reefs are concerned. In addition to the living coral reef that has been a main scuba diving attraction of the Florida Keys for more than 35 years, numerous dive able wrecks are scattered throughout the waters providing exotic and breathtaking artificial reef habitats. Here is a brief overview of some of the wrecks you can visit while scuba diving in the Florida Keys:

Benwood – The Benwood is perhaps the oldest scuba diving wreck site to be found in the Florida Keys. This WWII ship was sunk in 1942 when it collided with another whip while dodging German U-boats near the coast of Florida. While the wreck is not intact (it was blown apart because it presented a boating hazard) it is home to a wide array of marine life. Scuba diving near the Benwood will bring you face to face with critters such as Pork fish, grunts, lobsters, moray eels, glassy sweepers, Sergeant Majors, Goatfish, and Christmas Tree Worms. Since the ship had run aground before it was blown up, the dive is a relatively shallow one and great for novice divers as well as advanced divers.

Cayman Salvage Master – This wreck that can be seen while scuba diving in the Florida Keys is a Cuban refugee vessel that was confiscated by the US government. The ship was tied up to a dock where she sank before she was re-floated. Then, during her burial voyage of 1985, she sank in about 90 feet of water coming to rest on her side. Recently, Hurricane Katrina righted the ship and now divers can swim along the hull and deck hoping to spy huge Jewfish and moray eels that reside in the open hatches of the wreck.

Duane – If you’re experienced at scuba diving, you might want to pay a visit to the wreck Duane while you’re in the Florida Keys area. This US Coast Guard Cutter was intentionally sunk in 120 feet of water in the year 1987. Due to the strong Gulf Stream current and depth associated with the wreck, only advanced divers are allowed to dive this site. The Duane is home to grunts, sponges, chubbs, jacks, barracuda, and numerous tropical fish.

In addition to these three wrecks that can be seen while scuba diving in the Florida Keys, there are several other wrecks in the area that have been intentionally sunk to become artificial reef habitats. Each offers a different experience and a unique look into how the ocean transforms a foreign object into a beautiful habitat where marine life can grow and thrive.

By: Layla Tusko

Wreck Diving in Malta – the paradise of the Mediterranean Sea

admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:14:03 +0000

The Maltese Archipelago is a real paradise for divers and snorkellers. In the case of wreck diving, for many it is a dream come true. The islands have fortunately retained their natural state due, to a large extent, to the sea and its fauna.

The attraction of Malta and Gozo for the diver, however, is based on their unique topographic structure, the healthy water situation which offers a visibility of over 25 meters at most dive sites, the rich fauna and the large amount of wrecks. The combination of sheer cliffs, caves, wrecks, shelves and sandy and rocky sea beds, means there is a large variety of fauna and flora to see and explore in Maltese waters.

Wrecks, as artificial reef habitats, have provided a home for a great number of species in recent years and make excellent dive sites. Even more exciting for both the beginner and the experienced diver, there is also a large amount of wrecks from the First and Second World Wars. They are wrecks of all shapes and dimensions that make Malta and Gozo a clear cut ahead for wreck diving in the Mediterranean.

Some wrecks have also been scuttled as artificial reefs and all offer perfect living conditions for fish and marine organisms. Dives on offer in Malta are either from land or from a boat, depending on the level of experience and the dive sites selected. Maltese diving schools and clubs have highly qualified and experienced professional instructors running courses under the world’s largest diver training organisation, PADI (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors).

The best amongst Malta’s diving schools have their own dedicated top grade scuba equipment as well as all necessary support materials. Academic instruction and practical training can be carried out in English, German, French, Dutch, Italian, Russian and Arabic.

For the less daring – snorkelling

The active, colourful world that lies beneath the surface of the Maltese sea is full of secrets to be discovered and revealed by the ardent snorkeller. As one explores this world he soon learns more about its inhabitants and the rich life to be found there. It is easy to see why people can become passionate about the underwater world surrounding Malta and Gozo.

As an activity, snorkelling is within the reach of practically everyone. It does not ask for expensive or complicated equipment, and the basics are easy to learn. Most snorkellers take their holidays in areas that are ideal for snorkelling and for people of practically all age groups, which is why Malta has been regularly attracting more of them.

Snorkelling is the practice of swimming at the surface of a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually flippers. In cooler waters or in winter time, a wetsuit may also be worn. Combining these tools allows the snorkeller to observe underwater attractions for extended periods of time with relatively little effort.

Snorkelling is an increasingly popular recreational activity for visitors to Malta and Gozo, with hotels and holiday resorts offering lessons and snorkelling activities throughout the summer months. They give you the opportunity to observe underwater life in a natural setting. This may include some fascinating reefs and their denizens, such as fish, cephalopods, starfish, sea urchins, and mollusks. Snorkelling in the sandy areas may allow sightings of rays and various flatfish.

Other organisms that can be seen while snorkelling in Malta include various forms of seaweed, jellyfish, shrimp, and very rarely, sea turtles and other colourful species. It is a world inviting you in. Don’t hesitate. If the idea of scuba diving is a bit too scary, but you still want to connect with the world under water then snorkelling is the perfect compromise.

By: Lucborg