Walking to work..

This afternoon's dive commenced with a short walk down the boat launch ramp next to St Lawrence Pier on RMC. Then, Todd, Kevin, Matt and I made a tour of the timber structures to the West and circled home. Not much else to say, except that many photographs were taken, but this one seemed to sum up the aiim of the expedition - to visit the timbers and check them out. Kevin is the pictured subject...

This Munsons for the ladies in the house!

Wednsday night boat dives really are the best cure for a work day you would rather forget! This dive was no change from the norm, in that some of the memories I will not forget for some time no matter how much I drink after my dive. It wasn't all cheesy news and despite the usual algae cloud/pea soup from 0-30 feet this wreck is also one of the best in the Kingston area to enjoy.

Firstly the dive info, the Munson is a 90 foot long barge in approximatly 108 feet of water. It's one of those rare wrecks that is usualy a night dive during the day. Usualy this is because of the Algae that runs almost all summer long. Bring a good light you will need it. The boat is a multi level platform with lots of wide open space to swim though and tons of cool baubles and trinkets spread out all over the place. Remember this is a deep dive that is dark and does have penetration available, consider your training when you dive this. Plan your dive and dive your plan and if something goes wrong don't push your limits. The boat sank years ago it's not going anywhere, so you can allways dive it again later. At this time of year the boat is actualy deeper than recorded and might throw your plan a wrench if you're on nitrox. This really is one of the best dives in town for such a simple wreck. Folks like NTD have some very well prepared high quality photos online to plan your dive around.

For 4 of the 6 divers this was our first trip to this boat and it was worth all the hype. Big thanks to our 2 experienced divers who took us on the tour. I look forward to diving it again soon. I want to give our RMC members a big shout out as their participation in our club events is really noticeable this year. We hope they spread the word around. Good to see you guys out so much!

Lastly I would be remiss if I did not point out how the weather network was in our favor tonight as we almost caught some sun. We finaly were able to get on the water when its warm, calm and dry up top, however... some of us had too much fun. For this I give you our VP and resident chippendales diving representation :

Enjoy ladies.
For the rest of us, cya in the water folks!

Drysuit Day...

Now that the weather's turning colder and the water with it, it's time to turn to drysuits, if you haven't already. Mario selected the Drysuit Adventure as one of his AOW dives and today presented the opportunity to complete it. He was joined by Steve Liu, who enjoyed the experience just as much in his superb, previously-owned DUI suit. We went out of Navy Bay off the boat launch ramp by St Lawrence Pier for just over 30 minutes. The water temp was 57℉ (14℃) and the visibility about 40 feet. An oddity on this dive - although it was conducted about an hour before sunset- was the large number of Catfish seen.

Lining up the Wreck...

Today's work was largely devoted to making the detailed measurements, in three dimensions, that will allow a model of the wreck to be created on computer. This can then be used to output drawings and diagrams highlighting construction features or providing an overview of the vessel. To augment the datum points established yesterday, each of the upright frames (ribs to the layman) on the Starboard side of the wreck was identified and labelled. Port side remains will be similarly labelled tomorrow. The labeling of the frames considerably helped the teams working to record the various measurements. The line drawing shown was drawn up from a photo mosaic generated on day one.

Survey Work Advances Apace...

After a good start yesterday, work to place the datum points and prepare for measurements continued today. By early afternoon 8 points had been set and their inter-relationships recorded. Tonight, these points will be entered into survey software and validated. This will prepare the way for recording of the many wreck elements tomorrow, enabling a 3-D picture of the wreck to be captured.

Survey work commences in Navy Bay...

Members of the Club began work today in support of the marine archaeological survey of a wreck in Navy Bay that will be the subject of a Masters Thesis for Nadine Kopp. Nadine is completing a course at the University of East Carolina that she hopes will secure her a marine archaeology position closer to her Canadian home. Video and still photography was taken to provide an initial record and a reference for future activity. An overall examination was also completed with the aim of determining the most appropriate positions for datum points and to confirm the extent and condition of the site.
A second dive allowed some 'gardening' to be done to clear weed and loose algae and rough sketches to be drawn up. Nadine's intention is to dive daily for the next week, completing her researches by next Sunday, when it is hoped that an electronic positioning survey can be undertaken that will definitively fix the wreck's position and tie it in to existing data on the shoreline. Follow this blog to hear how each day's work goes. For the record, the water today was 54°F (12°C) and visibility was about 20 feet.

Post Exam Plunge...

Today marked the last day of exams at RMC - reason enough for some of our most adventurous members from the College to take to the water. Marc-Etienne and Olivier survived the 39F (4C) temperature to spend 36 minutes touring the old pilings and other areas just South of the St Lawrence Pier. The pictures are theirs and they show considerable enthusiasm, despite painfully cold hands. Adam and Matt came along for the swim. As an example of what we all aspire to as divers, it would be good to have them along on every dive...

Evening Outing...

It really was like a Summer evening... until we hit the water... But even there it was evident that temperatures are rising. The low temperature 40F (4C), was several degrees warmer than last weekend. Visibility was average at about 20 feet. But the rapid discovery of the little wreck and a gentle trip over to the Ordnance Dock, with a photo call at the surface in the warm, evening light, made the whole dive a great experience. All that said, there's not much life in the water yet. A few unidentified fish were darting around, but no large Bass were seen.

Sunday Club back in Session...

The arrival of the Spring sunshine this weekend placed the Club on notice that it's time to re-convene the Sunday Club. Accordingly, four of us suited up and sprang into the Lake at RMC's St Lawrence Pier this morning. It was a delight to enjoy a dive in such fine weather. If there was any doubt that the season has truly changed, the passage overhead of a mixed skein of Canada and Snow Geese dispelled it. In the water there was less evidence of change. There were no significant sightings, despite visibility in the order of 30 feet or so. The water temperature remains stubbornly low at about 36F (2C). In response to a request from Chris Haslip, who was unable to dive today, his pet smurf was taken for an outing. Expect to see a lot of this little diver this season.

Frozen Frolics...

I guess it's the temporary thaw that inspired 6 of us to venture into the still freezing waters again this weekend. We essentially repeated the dive enjoyed on New Year's Day, meeting and dressing at the Club and then getting into Navy Bay at RMC's St Lawrence Pier. There was one significant difference; today we all spent at least 48 minutes in the water. leaving some divers really cold...! However, the opportunity presented itself to capture some video of our chief instructor demonstrating Backward Finning. This is the subject of the accompanying video clip. For record keepers, the water temperature (on the lowest reading shown) was 33F (1C) and the air temperature 4C (39F). A light Southerly wind generated small waves and reduced visibility to about 25'.

Happy New (Dive) Year...

Despite a pretty heavy snowfall overnight, which persisted right up to the time divers gathered at the Club, we put 6 divers in the water today for the New Year's Day dive. It's probably no coincidence that all of them were in drysuits. Navy Bay was chosen as a nearby, easily-accessible venue. The dive proved to be a gentle tour of the area beyond the ramp and pier, with ample time to look for little 'treasures'. Find of the day was a little stoneware bottle that had contained blacking. It was found by Chris Haslip and it's in beautiful condition. Adam, whose presence was a rare delight these days (his business makes heavy demands on his time), could only compete in the finds department by returning a dinghy rudder to dry land. Time in the water was just about 34 minutes. The water temperature was 34F (2C) and the air temperature - on a relatively calm day (NE wind) - was -2C (28F).

Navy Bay ...

Six of us made it into Navy Bay for a dive this morning. Conditions were good, though what seemed like very promising visibility from the dockside turned out to be just 20' or so in the water. A lot of silt and weed in the water are combining currently to reduce light and range of vision.

However, that didn't prevent most of us seeing a couple of very large Carp and at least one buddy pair spotting (and briefly pursuing) a Muskie. The sunken piers are hosting large numbers of Bluegills and some decent Bass. I also spooked a catfish in the shallows by the exit ramp

Perhaps the most interesting sighting of the day occurred before we got into the water. Spotting a large Snapping Turtle snorting at the surface, I was able to show everyone the beast as it swam back down to the weedy depths. Its shell was probably as big as a dinner plate.

An air temperature of 68F (20C) was almost matched by the bottom temperature of the water, which was recorded as 60F (16C).

Triple Dipping...

The weather must be getting better and the Lake warmer. I got in three dives today. Two with Steve and Marcus, who was finishing off his NAS work in the water at Portsmouth and another in Navy Bay exploring the pier supports at the Lake end of the Bay.

Portsmouth Harbour, first thing, was serene. A light dusting of yellow pollen lay on the inshore surface and the water was almost glassy calm. For the first time ever, I was able to see the nearest wreck segment clearly from the breakwater. I've placed a white line on the outer edge of the concrete sill to mark the wreck's location.

I got into the water in advance of the survey work Marc had to complete to place a baseline on the relevant wreck and lodge some datum points. This was interesting work and poses both buoyancy and accuracy challenges. Just the thing for an early Sunday dive. Once the set-up was complete, there was a chance to visit the anchors and check out some bearings to points of interest. The second dive at Portsmouth was simply to observe the survey activity and recover the artifacts used to set up the location. But, it offered a rare view of a large Bass preparing a spawning circle.

This afternoon's dive was almost as enjoyable. Looking for a location closer to home, and the Club, I dropped into Navy Bay. The initial ambition had been to visit the 'new' wreck near the car parks, but sail training put an end to this. So, the opportunity was taken to check out the old pier structures further South and West, towards Ft Frederick. I answered one question I had posed myself; how many are there? The answer seems to be six, two of which go all the way to shore. All of them were alive with fish, mainly Bass, but also some Bluegills and other small fry.

The best sighting of the day came on the trip back to the jetty. A huge Muskie was spotted busily devouring something on the bottom, totally unconcerned by my approach. In fact, as he finished his meal, he turned towards me and approached to within a few feet, giving me a really good view of a rather broad and intimidating brow.

Water temperatures all day were about 58F (14C) with visibility averaging about 35 feet.

New Find in Navy Bay..?

Henry Cary - inspired by Parks Canada's Marine Archaeologist, Jonathan Moore - recently went in search of a wreck previously surveyed in Navy Bay. Despite some setbacks, he located it last week. Today, it was the turn of a couple of us to benefit from his guidance and to visit this unusual site.

The wreck lies in just 9 feet of water, very close to shore. Remarkably, there are still some upright timbers and a clearly visible keel element, probably a keelson. I'd estimate the length of the wreck at more than 50 to 60 feet. It is currently home to a fair number of large - and effectively fearless - Bass.

Although visibility was average at about 20 feet, the water temperature was very comfortable at 57F (14C) in this shallow area. For anyone who relishes visiting a new shore site, despite shallow water and low viz, this is another local option. Don't expect to see much, but there are a ship's remains on show..

Another couple of pictures can be seen on the Club's Flickr Page.

Algae Busting in Navy Bay..

Six Club members made a late afternoon dive in Navy Bay - just because they could really...

Four of them already had dives under their belts today; Mike and Dominique on the charter described earlier, and Scott and Kim at the Quarry. Joined by Malcolm and Theresa, they enjoyed about 38 minutes exploring the structures just South of the RMC jetty.

Visibility was an issue, probably no better than 25 feet, but the water was 'warm' at 48F (9C). The algae was drifting in clouds, driven by a little bit of surface disturbance and some chop. But this didn't prevent the group seeing a few very large Carp, a shoal of Perch in the shallows by the boat ramp and a Turtle.

Ice is intense - but oh, so worthwhile...

The picture of Adam chasing bubbles under 14" of ice gives you a feel for the attractions of ice diving. A long weekend - and a huge amount of supporting effort from many members of the Club - resulted by Sunday afternoon in Jim, Stephen (a new member) and myself gaining our coveted Ice Diver certifications. Many lessons were learned - and some new ground was broken with research into the location and rescue of lost divers. Expect to hear and see more on that theme in due course.

Many of our members and friends took a lot of pictures over the weekend. Adam is collecting and collating the results. If you have pictures that he's not already expecting to receive, please do pass him copies. Quite a bit of video was taken of the training too. That will be edited and made accessible to members before long.

Ice Dive Course is really cool....

The first day of this year's ice diving course went really well. Success owes a great deal to our Chief Instructor, without whose direction it could never have happened. But a really strong contribution was made by a host of Club volunteers - and members' parents in some cases. Their work to prepare the site, feed the team and undertake the surface tasks that are a key to safety was invaluable - and substantial.

It was good to be visited by Jay Westman, the Saturday anchor for CKWS TV's NEWSwatch programme. His piece on the event, which aired at 6pm the same evening, was well balanced and very well edited. A contribution of underwater footage shot on scene by Adam definitely enriched the broadcast.

Many members were taking photographs, that will doubtless appear in due course. Watch this space!

Underwater exploration with a difference...

Adam and I returned to the ice at Navy Bay today to deploy an underwater camera through the ice in search of interesting artifacts. The compact device - with a sensor no larger than a can of beans - comes with a monochrome viewer, built-in electronic compass and lighting aids covering both visible and infra-red spectra.

Our search was successful and the fruits of our labours will be apparent to those who venture onto or into Navy Bay over this coming weekend's Ice Diving Course. News of that will be posted daily for those who cannot attend, but maintain an interest...

Snow Sculpture in Navy Bay

During final safety checks of the ice thickness on Navy Bay today before the course this weekend, the beauty of some of the drift snow formations was noticed. The accompanying pic shows just one that caught my eye.

For those coming along on the weekend - you will be reassured to hear that several test holes produced ice thicknesses - in all cases - of about 14" (36cm).

Time spent in reconnaissance....

Adam and I spent a profitable half hour or so this morning checking out the ice in Navy Bay. This was an essential safety measure before the ice diving course runs this coming weekend. A test bore revealed that the ice - even out in the middle of the Bay - is about 13" (33cm) thick.

One really pleasing discovery was the presence of large tracts of very clear ice. The bottom (about 20 feet (6m) down) could be very clearly seen. We were even able to read labels on debris and make out dead fish.

A likely site for the weekend's training was selected and recorded. Now all we have to worry about is the snow that is forecast to fall in the interim...

By the way - for those who might have been wavering about a decision - there are still a couple of places available on the course. Enquiries or applications should be addressed directly to Adam.