Thursday, May 31, 2007

Confidence Builder...

A brief excursion was made early this evening from the Kingston Yacht Club to increase the Open Water experience and boost the confidence of one of our newest divers, Atul. Conditions were less than ideal, with visibility reduced to about 20 feet - and less in places. But Atul coped quite well. He emerged smiling, if a little tired.

Mike makes his Century.... this year!


With a 60 minute dive on Morton's Wharf and a visit to the wreck of the St Lawrence, I notched up Dive 100 this year. I was delighted to share the experience with Nancy and Jim. Getting Nancy to the St Lawrence after she had been thwarted on a couple of previous attempts was very satisfying.

For those who are interested in the conditions; visibility was poor at about 25 feet, water temperature 55F (13C) in the shallows and 47F (8C) a little deeper. We saw a large Pike close to the wreck in the bay and several good-sized Smallmouth Bass in and around the Wharf.

Nancy added some successful bag deployment practice to the outing and we all emerged happy, smiling and warm...

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Wed dives start off with a big bang


22 divers made it out for the first Wed club dive of the season. Thanks to Big Jim, we were able to get a second charter so everyone could go. What a great dive season it is going to be with this many enthusiastic divers. Many thanks to Steve Coombs for organizing it and to the many other volunteers who help to make it possible such as Jean-Olivier for looking after the eqpt.

A short but not very exciting video can be downloaded here for viewing of some aspects of the dive. It is a 20MB download. http://dunfield.ca/scuba/Kingston/Wolf/Wolf_IslanderII.wmv

Back to Deadman Bay..

A little warm-up dive this morning for the main event this evening, the first Club charter of the 2007 season. Theresa and I enjoyed the Southern wreck in Deadman Bay shortly after 9am, spending some 38 minutes taking in its features. The only significant sighting was of a fairly large Smallmouth Bass, which seemed very interested in us, making a close approach; its obviously diseased state could explain this unusual behaviour.

The water was pleasantly warm (comparatively) at 52F (11C). But visibility, partly due to the brisk Sou'wester, partly to floating algae, was only fair - at about 35 feet.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Cora Post ...

Thwarted by a strong Sou'wester from taking a boat out to one of the more interesting offshore wrecks this morning, Dianne, Theresa and I made a minor expedition to Howe Island for a dive on the Cora Post. Conditions there were fairly good. A moderate sea was little trouble, though it did send a light, downstream current through the shallows at the entry point; and clouds of green algae. Nevertheless, visibility was reasonable - at about 35 feet. The temperature gradient of the water was really apparent. Surface waters were showing 54F (12C), but the water at 60 feet was only 48F (9C). Mind you, this is a welcome change from a week or two ago.

There were no significant sightings during the dive. Gobies rule might be the cry...

Perhaps the most memorable event was being held back for 30 minutes at the Ferry, while they waited for an ambulance to arrive from somewhere in the Island's interior. The insult came when, loading it finally, they took the Ferry away without boarding any of us. In all, we spend about an hour in the intermittent sunshine speculating on the situation of the casualty - and other things. Oh well, that's life...

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Bursting at Brule Road Quarry


Nine divers and from the club descended on Brule Rd Quarry on Saturday. They were surprised to see the quarry already active with a group of divers from Whitby conducting a Rescue course. This presented no problem as the quarry is so large. Visibility varied from 20 ft to 40 ft and is truly entertaining containing wrecks at the lower section and interesting landscapes and cliffs at the upper sections.
The water temperature was 65 in the upper areas and high 50s or low 60s in the lower sections.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

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.

Wrecked - and loving it...



Bit of a bonus today - a two-tank charter with Limestone at relatively short notice. You take these opportunities on trust, having no idea what the weather will do or where you might end up The four Club members who seized this chance to get out to the distant wrecks couldn't have been luckier though. We actually dove two of the best wrecks accessible from Kingston; the Marsh (depth 85') and the Davie (depth 98'). The Lake was quite calm - and the Sun shining brightly - for both dives. If any down side could be detected, it might have been the minor shock of encountering 40F (4C) bottom temperatures at each location. They certainly made it much more pleasant to spend the safety stops in near 50F (10C) water.

Both sites provided good visibility - the Marsh about 50 feet and the Davie probably 35-40. The two ships share some characteristics. Each is largely intact and each has its wheel very clearly in place. There are also prominent winches - and much sailing tackle on the Marsh.

If we have another charter during the 2007 season that fulfills its promise of excitement and superb access as well as this one, we will be doing very well.

Thursday, May 24, 2007


Today saw Ryan complete his Open Water Certification at Brule Road. The water was great. Bottom temperature 55F (13C). Visibility reached 40 feet or more. He had the company of Theresa, who acted as a competent buddy (second time this week with a student) and Nancy, who was just enjoying a dive.

The opportunity was taken, once training had been completed, to take some underwater photographs. Since the water was so warm (comparatively) the dive was drawn out to just one minute under a full hour.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Training Day..

Today's dive schedule was shaped around an opportunity to complete the certification dives for one of our RMC members, Ryan. His Summer plans don't start for a week or so and the weather was perfect for some diving. In all, we managed three of the four dives. The first two took place at Portsmouth - always a good venue for introducing students to Open Water. Besides the usual pleasure of showing someone the anchors, wrecks and STOP sign for the first time, a large Carp's appearance made for a memorable couple of outings.

The third dive - after a disappointment over access to the Marine Museum (another topic) - was at the KPH. This one also went well. Tomorrow, we head for the quarry.

Water temperature, 43F (6C). Visibility about 40 feet, despite clouds of loose algae and carpets of the stuff on the shallow bottom areas. Some sections of the lines are almost completely hidden.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Charter Season off to a great start..



Nine members of the Club made it out to Rockport tonight for a season-opening, if unscheduled, dive with Wayne Green's Thousand Island Pleasure Diving operation. Conditions couldn't have been better, with bright sunshine, a slight, cooling breeze and an almost calm River. A slight current was running over the Kinghorn, but this was no deterrent to early season explorers, who searched every inch of the old girl. One important new discovery is the plaque on the Starboard bow - positioned only the day before - and commemorating the life of Doug Smeaton, who died tragically while visiting the wreck earlier this year.

The water was delightfully warm - at 47F (8C). Visibility was about 35-40 feet - and the promised beer and pizza at Caigers afterwards were everything we had been led to expect...

Aloha...!


Keeping to a promise to my son and his friend that we would get the boat out this week, Theresa and I made a run to the Aloha and the Effie Mae this morning. The weather was very helpful. Bright sunshine - at least for the outward journey - and the Lake as calm as a millpond. Tying off to the POW buoy was straightforward - no current at all...

The dive was a 33 minute dive to 56 feet (the bottom). Both wrecks look rather sad - the mussel growth is really extreme and clumps of bright green algae are growing, especially on the upperwork of the Aloha. Water temperature at the bottom, a pretty manageable 43F (6C). No fish were seen (unless you count the ubiquitous Gobies - and I try not to). Visibility - probably in excess of 40 feet.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Nine Divers in the water...

The plan started small - get Dan Haslip back in the water during his mid-tour leave and find somewhere warmer for Rick to enjoy a wetsuited dive. But we ended up with nine Club members in the lake at Brule Road today. Conditions were excellent, with bright sunshine and not too much wind. Everyone was staggered at the visibility apparent on arrival. Both the Hyundai and the Cabin Cruiser's outlines could be seen underwater from shore.

All praise to the two young men, Andrew and Al, who braved the waters in their wetsuits. In fact, the majority of divers were in wetsuits. I spent the dive circumnavigating the quarry's margins, looking for undiscovered artifacts. Only one new one came to light. This is the bucket of an earthloader or excavator, probably left behind when the quarry was abandoned. It lies directly South of the Western ledge - in just 12 feet of water.

For the record - and to encourage other divers to give it a try - the water temperature was 56F (13C) at depth and 60F (16C) at the surface.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Great dive on the Cora Post


Malcolm, Chris Columbus, Steven Chew, Tracey and I came out for the Sunday 10 AM excursion to the Cora Port. The line to the wreck was found quite easily and the Cora Post provided for a great dive. A few carp were spotted but nothing exceptional in terms of fish. Malcom did well with a 48 minute dive in a wetsuit. The water temperature was 46 degrees.

Windy on the Wolfe...



After a fun morning working on an Open Water certification, the opportunity was presented this afternoon to take a trip to the Wolfe Islander II. Conditions were good on the outward trip - and on the wreck during our 51 minute dive - but when my buddy and I returned to the surface the wind had got up and a light swell was making the stern mooring interesting.

The pic is one of a number taken on the wreck today. Visibility was probably as much as 40 feet, with the water showing a minimum temperature of 46F (8C). Other pictures will be up on the Flickr site tonight. There was absolutely no current on the ship - and the whole experience was enjoyable...

Both mooring lines are now in place - thanks to 'Preserve Our Wrecks, Kingston' - the stern line has the official POW buoy and the bow a blue jug.

Congratulations, Chelsey..!


With two further certification dives at Brule Road, Chelsey completed her Open Water certification today. Then there was time for some photos, one of which is shown. Conditions at the quarry, as anticipated, were a little more clement than the Lake. The water temperature - even under a noticeable thermocline - was 51F (11C). Visibility was pretty good - about 35 feet or maybe a little more.

Surprisingly, very few of the larger fish we know to inhabit this small body of water were evident. Today's experience demonstrates that the Quarry is more than ready for wetsuited visitors. Let's give it some use...

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Another Student heads for Certification...


Chelsey enjoyed the sunshine and the underwater sights of Portsmouth Harbour today as she progressed through Open Water Dives 1 and 2 towards Open Water Certification. Conditions couldn't have been better, though visibility - at about 25-30 feet - could have given us better views of the various attractions.

The water temperature was 43F (6C). This isn't exactly tropical, but it's a slight improvement on recent days. An air temperature of 17C (53F) should see Lake waters warming up slowly.

Highlight of today's dive was an encounter with a large Trout. Uncommon in these waters, this was a real bonus. However, the wrecks, anchors and STOP sign proved interesting to a diver who had not seen any of them before.

Topsides, it was a treat to see the St Lawrence II heading out into the Lake. It can only be assumed that she has a busy season ahead.

Friday, May 18, 2007

History Hunters...


Armed with a copy of the report on wrecks of the War of 1812 prepared recently by Parks Canada's Marine Archaeologist, Jonathan Moore, four of us explored Deadman Bay this morning, visiting the more northern site, often referred to as HMS Psyche.

The wreck showed up well in the intermittent sunshine - visibility was about 35 feet. Better news lay in the fact that the water temperature is now registering 45F (7C). Besides the wreck, the biggest attraction today was the numerous Painted Turtles (some really quite large) seen on the swim out and back.

A few pictures showing views of the wreck are on the Club's Flickr Site.

I was pleased to provide some assistance before and after the dive to members of the CFB Kingston Yacht Club. I recovered an expensive pair of prescription Oakley sunglasses and re-attached a mooring buoy to make it more useful to the Club.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Warmer in the water at Brule Road...



Four of us ventured out West this morning to enjoy the sights of Brule Road and to test the theory that the water should be warmer there than in the Lake. The result definitively proved the concept. The water was 51F (11C) at the bottom and 57F (14C) for the first few feet. There was a definite thermocline or inversion effect operating at about 6-8 feet, which left a sort of silty cloud hanging over the divers. Nancy is pictured and a second image shows the back of the (now) famous Hyundai Santa Fe that arrived in the water over the Winter. Visibility was mildly disappointing - at about 25-30 feet, but the warmth more than made up for this..

Additional pictures from today's dive can be found on the Flickr site.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Fun with a Deadman...



Despite dire warnings of thunderstorms and high winds, conditions in Deadman Bay this afternoon were pretty good. Six members of the Club made a gentle foray to the wreck just South of the Forces' Marina. Theresa had a particularly good outing - her first as a certified Open Water diver - spotting a turtle in the shallows just before exiting.

The rain overnight and earlier in the day had brought the water temperature up to 45F (7C). Visibility was somewhere around the 30-40 foot range. Some other pictures from the outing have been posted to the Club's Flickr site.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Morton's Wharf and St Lawrence..

Dianne, Chris and I spent just under an hour in the water this afternoon enjoying a leisurely examination of the remains of Morton's Wharf and the nearby remnants of HMS St Lawrence. Conditions were reasonable, though the visibility is shrinking quickly thanks to great clouds of algae. There are huge clumps of the bright green algae accumulating on the bottom. Today, I'd judge the usable range of vision to be about 35 feet.

The water remains stubbornly cold - 42F (6C). Nevertheless, fish life is beginning to reappear in greater numbers. A few large Bass were present near the remains of the Wharf - and at least one Freshwater Drum (first seen this year) was also cruising the area.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Marine Museum - again..













What a delight to indulge in a third dive today with familiar buddies; Dianne, Tracey and Jim. After a morning spent, really rewardingly, with my students, it was wonderful to jump in the water at the Marine Museum and just swim and shoot some pics.

Despite pretty murky conditions, caused by a strong Sou'wester, the opportunities for photography were not completely shot. I got some fair pictures of my companions - both en route to - and around - the barge.

Three dives in a day - it must really be getting warmer...... at last.!

Five Newly Certified Divers...

It's always a delight to see new divers join the throng. Today, another five were certified. Congratulations certainly go to Clarissa, Laura, Theresa, Jayasimha and Walter on strong performance in cold conditions. I wonder when the Club last saw wetsuited divers qualify in Open Water as early as mid May...

Dives were completed at the Kingston Psychiatric Hospital shore site and Portsmouth Harbour. Both proved suitable for training, but the conditions at the former site were chilly - at 41F (6C). It was a delightful surprise to find that strong sunshine and shallow water permitted the final dive to take place in water that had reached 45F (7C).

I'm sure that all the Club's members join me in wishing the new divers well in their future dive adventures.

Many thanks are owed to Geoff and Chris Columbus, whose help made a considerable difference to managing this Open Water weekend.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Spring has sprung...?


The Sun may have been shining - intermittently - but the wind was a chilly Nor'easter that didn't help the 7 Open Water students using Portsmouth Harbour for their certification dives. Adam and I shared the instructional honours - and Geoff proved to be a very helpful assistant, taking on some skill checks. The support of an experienced instructor is always really welcome.

Everyone coped very well with conditions that are still far from summery. The water remains stubbornly cold at about 42F (6C). And perversely, after weeks of excellent visibility, the Nor'easter had stirred the bottom up, reducing the viz to less than 30 feet in most places. Nevertheless, everyone managed to visit the anchors and see the wreck fragments that are a feature of the Portsmouth site.

The prize for the brightest smile today goes to Clarissa (pictured). But everyone finished the session in good spirits and can be proud of work well done.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Wolfe Islander II - a Dream Dive early in the season


A remarkable opportunity was seized this afternoon to travel out to the Wolfe Islander II with Dianne and Chris. Dianne, a very competent sailor, permitted us to use her Legend 35 yacht as a dive platform. It proved almost ideal, but we may have to look at a better exit arrangement. The ladder provided a great test of upper body strength. Stainless steel rails do not afford the greatest grip for drygloves.

We found a mild surface current - which all but disappeared at depth. The bow mooring on the Wolfe Islander is in place, although the up line is tangled on the mast just behind the bow. This has artificially shortened the mooring, making tying on a bit of a challenge. The wreck was in great shape, with visibility something like 40-50 feet. We toured the vessel's hull, then rose at the stern to check out the saloon and upperworks. Dozens of small fish, presumably Bass, are still resident in the interior spaces.

For those who follow this saga, the Fire Hydrant is on the second deck, Starboard side, outside the Saloon; today, anyway.

Water temperature 42F (6C).

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Warm work at Brewer's Mills..


It was reasonable to expect warmer water in the Canal today, but none of us would have predicted 60F (16C), which is what Dianne, Chris and I actually enjoyed. It may explain why we spent about 90 minutes on two dives, with a negligible surface interval between them. We used the Sunbury Road approach to the parking area on the West side of the Lock complex and dove in the 'lake' on the upstream side initially. This proved uninspiring, offering just about 5 feet of visibility and no more than 8 feet of depth. After just 25 minutes, we elected to walk down the bank and make a giant stride into the lower waters. A period of exploration of the downstream area followed, with an exit eventually made back up on the East bank by the usual side stream bridge and 'bowl'.

The whole experience was relaxing and uneventful. The find of a couple of rounds of live pistol ammunition under the bridge is nothing extraordinary at this site. We didn't turn a hair. Interestingly, the Crayfish are now much harder to find, but we had an attendant band of very bold Bluegills towards the conclusion of the dive.

If anyone is wondering where to test their wetsuit, the temperatures up here in the Canal are now ideal...

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Logging a dive at the Marine Museum


First trip of the year to the logs in the Bay by the Marine Museum today. Nancy, Sylvain, Chris and I spent about 40 minutes in a gentle swim to the logs, noting no significant fish life on the way. Visibility was down to about 40 feet - no reason for this reduction over recent days can be offered. Conditions were good, with light seas and low winds. Another disappointment was the fact that the water temperature was noted at just 41F (5C). This compares very poorly with what seemed to be an upward trend (Wolfe Island waters were up to 45F earlier this week).

Two of the divers were in wetsuits today - it can be done - just be prepared to shorten your dive times accordingly. But, the visibility will not be better this year - the algae is already encroaching.

Get set to get wet....

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Pottering at Portsmouth..


The brilliant sunshine today was more than tempting enough to draw Dianne, Jim and I to the water at Portsmouth Harbour. We set ourselves the task of measuring the pipe and lines that run out to the twin anchors. Then, Jim practiced some bag deployment drills. The remainder of a dive approaching one hour in duration was spent looking for Crayfish and other wild life. Our researches were rewarded, close to the breakwater wall, with a very close sighting of a large Northern Pike, which seemed intrigued by us. It was probably also very interested in the shoal of small Perch in the same area.

Water temperature, 41F (5C) and the air temperature about 14C (57F). Visibility was exceptional - certainly in excess of 50 feet.

Monday, May 7, 2007

Anchor Aweigh...


A dive today from the Winter Dock on Wolfe Island proved to be a profitable one. Dianne, Chris and I had spent some time prospecting potential shore dives before accepting the harsh reality that we were going to dive a familiar one. But all was not lost. During a gentle and enjoyable dive, we discovered three different anchors fouled in the various pipes and cables that lead away from the Dock. (Not a bad haul in a 'No Anchor' area..!).

A short surface break to retrieve a lift bag enabled me to recover the 20lb Danforth Anchor (the other two were Mushroom, Sand Anchors - their turn will come in due course).

Conditions in the water continue to improve. The temperature today was 45F (7C). Air temperature a little too chilly at 11C (52F), but the Sun was shining brightly. The ferry trip each way was a joy, if you stayed out of the wind. Visibility in the water, about 40 feet.

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Double Dipping...













Now that the warmer weather is here - two-dive days (and more) may become the norm. Today was a good example. I started out with Jim, Nancy and Malcolm at Portsmouth Harbour, where I wanted to get some pics and video of the wrecks inshore. Then, after a quick break, it was into Navy Bay with Dianne and Chris.

Both dives were really enjoyable. The water is now up to 41F (5C) quite consistently, making prolonged dives quite bearable. The bright sunshine in the shallows is a joy - and visibility, this early in the season, is routinely 50 feet or more. The large shoals of Perch were very much in evidence in Navy Bay - threatened somewhat by a lurking Pike. There is also a lot of the spawn shown in the second pic around. Can anyone positively identify it, please?

Five minutes of video showing the wreck fragments by Portsmouth Harbour can be seen here, and a three-minute video clip of the sunken structures at RMC's Navy Bay can be accessed here.

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Dead reckoning with the Deadman..


Three of us returned today to Deadman Bay with twin aims. The first was to satisfy a request from the CFB Yacht Club for work on a mooring in mid channel; the second to make another pilgrimage to the beautiful wreck that lies just South of the Marina. We didn't reckon on being approached by another couple of sailors, who, before the season has started in earnest, had already lost items over the side of the docks. Long story short - we retrieved a fancy knife clip and a $600 GPS set from the bottom.

The mooring work was fun - especially when we discovered, on the first attempt, that the pin on the clevis provided wouldn't fit through the links of the new chain. An added ingredient in an entertaining mix was using a lift bag to take out said chain - and to bring back the old one for inspection and disposal. Useful exercise.

Once we had completed the work for the day, it was time to play. We meandered down to the wreck site - with brilliant sunshine streaming through the shallow water. Huge shoals of Perch were spotted and the water is full of what we believed to be Frog Spawn. Great strands cling to the few standing weeds every couple of feet in the shallows.

Total time in the water - a new personal best for this year - 1 hour 27 minutes. It must be getting warmer. The thermometer suggested 41F (5C) at the coldest point, but much of the water was warmer. Visibility was at least 50 feet - and probably better. Air temperature, despite a chilly Northerly breeze, 17C (63F).

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Down Home - Down River...


I took up a welcome invitation from Wayne Green of Thousand Islands Pleasure Diving to go out and assist with the raising of lines on some of the River's most popular wrecks today. Working with other dive regulars on Wayne's charters, I participated in work on the Oconto, the Vickery, the America and the Keystorm. We also raised a buoy on the Twisted Sisters wreck site.

Most of the diving was pretty straightforward, involving finding, checking and then lifting lines from the baskets that tether guide lines to the various wrecks. It provided an opportunity to see several sites, practice lift bag deployment and enjoy the waters of the River, which always presents some current to play with.

The penultimate stop - on the Keystorm - was an opportunity to enjoy a prolonged, recreational dive. I did 40 minutes exploring the outside of this remarkable site, dropping to about 80 feet. The water temperature was 41F (5C). Topside conditions were great, with brilliant sunshine all day and an air temperature of 17C (63F).

Two more dives...or maybe 1 1/2..


Chris and I set off to Anglin Bay to see some new (to us) wrecks and found two. Remarkable only because the vis was charitably 4 ft, and we weren't exactly sure of their location. After 15 mins of looking around for others Chris found a parking meter, and we gave up on locating anything else of interest.

Not wanting to waste still-full tanks, we went to the Domino Theatre site and explored there for another 35mins. Vis there was excellent at 60+ft, but we decided to go west, and there wasn't as much to see. Plans are to return to Anglin Bay when the vis improves as Chris says there are several more wrecks located there.

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Chris turns 100 in Alexandria Bay..


There are dives that stand out for any individual. The one that Chris completed this afternoon in Alexandria Bay, his 100th, would be memorable by any measure. It took place after another, earlier in the day, in Portsmouth Harbour. That one had reached the dramatic depth of just 12 feet, as we 'surveyed' the wreck fragments close to the wall. Despite brilliant sunshine, and great visibility (by some judgements, in excess of 60 feet) it was a dive - and a site - that were very familiar.

However, topping off tanks and heading over the border to Alexandria Bay, changed perspectives completely. With the same wonderful sunshine beating down on us, we geared up and set off to visit the wreck of the Islander in the shadow of the striking and unusual edifice that is Boldt Castle. Add to the mix the regular passage of large Lakers and the whole effect was magical.

The dive itself went very well. The Islander, lying on the sloping side of the entry beach, has fragments scattered down its length from 15 feet to more than 70. The largest section, though, is in about 55 feet of water. The crowning glory being the largely intact bow piece, pointing West. A host of very large Bass were immediately evident and the sunlight played on the old timbers. An expedition to explore a mysterious line heading roughly South was curtailed when common sense came into play at 80 feet.

Water temperature - 40F (4C) - Air temperature, with a cooling Northerly breeze - 17C (63F). Visibility on the wreck - about 35 feet, but much more in places, particularly in the shallower stretches of the slope.

Congratulations on your first Century Chris. Dan will be very proud tonight...