divbum
August 17th, 2006, 12:49 PM
After working like mad this summer I have been committed to a little more free time before the season ends. After a fun few days of pleasure diving in Mackinaw City Matt and I signed up for the last two spots on the Lender to go to the Car Ferry last night. We had 1 foot seas and I really enjoyed just sitting around BSing while someone else drove the boat :D. Matt and I were divers 2 and three to hit the water, and make to long swim forward past Bill boat to the mooring line. It was getting late in the day but I was suprised at how dark it was on the wreck. I dove it last week while teaching an Advance Wreck class in the morning and it was as bright as could be. So we fired up the 24 watt HIDs and headed towards the engine room. I took a quick peek in and showed Matt where it was, and then we headed out to the props. I am always taken back by the size of them on many of the ships. After rounding the corning we swam out a little ways from the wreck to make a quick look for a weight belt I was told a friend dropped 2 weeks ago. We didn't see it and I didn't want to look forever. Anthoer day with more light and I'll go look again. We headed back towards the hole cut in the side of the wreck and peeked in some more. We then decided there was plenty of time to swim to the bow 116 for 18 so far. Passed the mooring line and referenced it again, (everything looks different at night) then I posed with my new toy for a few photo's while Kevin was testing his camera. Glanced at a couple of the remaining portholes and swam into the bow section for a couple of more minutes. Upon extiing we still had some time so I ventured us over to the wheel house laying in the mud 50 or so feet from the wreck. After makeing the traditional swim around I noticed Matt reviewing his tables, we planned 120 for 40-50 minutes and were at 30 now ( I think that was his casual way of letting me now time is getting near). With a few peeks here and there we returned to the line, it was getting now dark and I just laughed to myself, I was having fun. Gave the thumb on the 35ish range, better tables then 40 for deco. And we started up. There were quite a few divers already in front of us on the line. I figured a few more will be following. We took are time, paid attention to the gas swtich and kept moving. 2 other divers joined us at 20'. I was surprised, it looked like we were going to be the last ones in the water... Oh well we were having fun, and right on track for the 1 hour in water time the Len Der like you to maintain. Uneventfully we return to the surface right at 59 minutes. The lake was flat and the sun about set. It was a very good time. On the return to the river we were delayed from entering the harbor as there was a poosible jumper on the bridge. There went dinner and a beer... After an hour and a half the sherrif and coast gaurd allowed boats to pass again. I didn't find anything on google this morning to veryify the delay. After trying 4 diferent resturants Kevin, Matt and I gave up and headed home. I made it back to Two Rivers, dropped my gear in the store and home at 1 AM. It was a great dive, and Matt is a very solid buddy, as always. Hopefully we can get some more good weather for Friday night.