Lake Michigan Conditions

[DeepDiverBob]

We are about a week and a half away from making the journey up there. Just wanted to see what the lake is like these days. Seas rough, vis good?

[MgicTwnger]

Bob,

Check this out:

http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/fz/fzus63.klot.glf.lm.txt

[reefraff]

NOAA buoy webcam (http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/metdata/chi/)
http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/metdata/chi/chi1.jpg

[Atlaua]

According to Captain Dale's website:

Water temperature is now 36°

No Thermocline.

Is this a current figure?

[MgicTwnger]

Dale's site dates it as 4/19. Pack your warm skivvies.

[DeepDiverBob]

36...I love it...I am hoping we can hit at least 34 at depth. 35 is the coldest I have ever been in, and would like to beat that.

[MgicTwnger]

Off Milwaukee in the first week of April last year it was 35 on the surface, low 40's at depth (115ffw). The thermocline apparently inverts or something over the winter.

[Atlaua]

Ok, so what's the closest hotel to the dock? Super 8 is full.

[Atlaua]

Off Milwaukee in the first week of April last year it was 35 on the surface, low 40's at depth (115ffw). The thermocline apparently inverts or something over the winter.


It's gotta suck to get colder on your ascent ;).

[CaptnDale]

Yes, 36 deg F is accurate. Right now the water on the surface has not really started to warm up yet. The water at depth is 39 deg F because that is the temperature at which water reaches its maximum density. 39 deg water is heavier, so it sinks. As the surface water warms up, layers of warmer water will start to float on top of the cooler water below. When that happens we can look forward to having warmer water in which to do our deco.

[MgicTwnger]

It's gotta suck to get colder on your ascent ;).
Yeah, but jumping in was a slap in the face while finding warmer water at depth was a plesant surprise. Besides the op was doing his part to warm up the surface water.:eek:

I'm sending you a PM about the motel.

[Atlaua]

Yes, 36 deg F is accurate. Right now the water on the surface has not really started to warm up yet. The water at depth is 39 deg F because that is the temperature at which water reaches its maximum density. 39 deg water is heavier, so it sinks. As the surface water warms up, layers of warmer water will start to float on top of the cooler water below. When that happens we can look forward to having warmer water in which to do our deco.


What's the vis like?

[ppo2_diver]

This past Saturday, viz on the Car Ferry Milwaukee was around 20-30 feet and viz on the Willie was about 50 feet. Still cold. Water temps ranged from 37-39F on my gauge.

[nauifins73]

36...I love it...I am hoping we can hit at least 34 at depth. 35 is the coldest I have ever been in, and would like to beat that.

That is wrong just wrong! You need a chaperone! I don't mind cold water diving but I don't love it.

[MgicTwnger]

That is wrong just wrong! You need a chaperone! I don't mind cold water diving but I don't love it.
I'm his chaperone. I try to get him to dress warm, but will he listen?

[Atlaua]

I think we should make him dive in a speedo...

[MgicTwnger]

I think we should make him dive in a speedo...
I think my head just exploded. James, are we set for Friday?

[DeepDiverBob]

I think we should make him dive in a speedo...

you would like that, wouldnt you?

[DeepDiverBob]

I think my head just exploded.

Did you use AquaSeal on that, too?

[MgicTwnger]

Did you use AquaSeal on that, too?
I'm bringing a 5 gallon bucket of it, just in case.:D

[Atlaua]

I think my head just exploded. James, are we set for Friday?


You bet. Now I just hope my shocks can handle all the tanks...

[Atlaua]

you would like that, wouldnt you?

I'd make a special drop in at the next MWS staff meeting just to show the pictures...

[DeepDiverBob]

I'd make a special drop in at the next MWS staff meeting just to show the pictures...

Old news there...the things chris makes us do for the keyman deals....probably not legal. :D

[DeepDiverBob]

You bet. Now I just hope my shocks can handle all the tanks...

Me and Chris was wondering that too, thikning about 4 sets of doubles, our dry suits and us in his Stratus. Should be interesting.

[CaptnDale]

What's the vis like?
The visibility on S.S. Wisconsin was about 60 feet on Saturday.

[divbum]

This past Saturday, viz on the Car Ferry Milwaukee was around 20-30 feet and viz on the Willie was about 50 feet. Still cold. Water temps ranged from 37-39F on my gauge.
The afternoon trip to the St Albens had 80+ for vis.

[DeepDiverBob]

The visibility on S.S. Wisconsin was about 60 feet on Saturday.


Now we're talking...I cant wait to get there again. Assuming, we are diving the Wisconsin again.

[MgicTwnger]

Now we're talking...I cant wait to get there again. Assuming, we are diving the Wisconsin again.
Yeah! 60'=big fun. The Wisconsin is fine by me.

[CaptnDale]

Yeah! 60'=big fun. The Wisconsin is fine by me.
Ken,

You have the boat all day on Saturday. How many do you have? Where do you want to go? S.S. Wisconsin is a good choice. We could go there in the AM and then go south and do the schooner St. Mary in the afternoon. What do you think?

[DeepDiverBob]

What about the Straits of Mackinac? Would that be possible?

[DeepDiverBob]

Ken,

You have the boat all day on Saturday. How many do you have? Where do you want to go? S.S. Wisconsin is a good choice. We could go there in the AM and then go south and do the schooner St. Mary in the afternoon. What do you think?

One more thing...is it fly season yet?

[Captain Caveman]

I like what Captain Dale said about the trip. The Wisconsin and St. Marry sounds good. I would like to see the Mary again my self

[MgicTwnger]

Dale,

We've got a full boat, six plus myself. I think everybody would like to do the Wisconsin, and either the St. Mary, Straits of Mac, or whatever is cool. Anything but the Lady Elgin, Bob's head would explode.

[CaptnDale]

Dale,

We've got a full boat, six plus myself. I think everybody would like to do the Wisconsin, and either the St. Mary, Straits of Mac, or whatever is cool. Anything but the Lady Elgin, Bob's head would explode.

Ken,

OK, the boat is yours. We can do S.S. Wisconsin and St. Mary or St. Mary and Straits of Mackinac but not S.S. Wisconsin and Straits of Mackinac. S.S. Wisc ant Straits are too far apart. You can decide Saturday morning. I wouldn't want Bob's head to explode. Things like that are messy and create way too much paperwork. See you Saturday.

[DeepDiverBob]

Put me down for the Wisconsin then, the Straits will have to wait for another day.

[MgicTwnger]

Put me down for the Wisconsin then, the Straits will have to wait for another day.
Yeah, too many Russians hanging around there.:D

[Atlaua]

I'd vote for the Straits, or more specificly something a little shallower. I'm sure that those of us who are not diving doubles would appreciate a little more time underwater....

James

[nauifins73]

I would like to have a full report on the Russians and photos at our get together in August. :D

[MgicTwnger]

I would like to have a full report on the Russians and photos at our get together in August. :D
No photos were taken as far as I know, or some lowlife would have posted them here by now. The report will haunt me forever.
And I agree with James about the afternoon dives being shallower.

[DeepDiverBob]

I'd vote for the Straits, or more specificly something a little shallower. I'm sure that those of us who are not diving doubles would appreciate a little more time underwater....

James

you mean people still dive single tanks? :D

[MgicTwnger]

you mean people still dive single tanks? :D
Yeah, we'll have at least two people with only singles.

[Atlaua]

you mean people still dive single tanks? :D


I bought the Skulls old spare air and I plan on diving that....

[DeepDiverBob]

I'd vote for the Straits, or more specificly something a little shallower. I'm sure that those of us who are not diving doubles would appreciate a little more time underwater....

James

So I guess 2 on the Wisconsin and 2 on the Milwaukee is out of the question then?

[do it easy]

So I guess 2 on the Wisconsin and 2 on the Milwaukee is out of the question then?
Depends on how big that Spare Air is. :D

Have fun and don't forget to take pictures!

[Captain Caveman]

I am also diving singles so some bottom time would be nice for the 2nd part of the day. I like the straits and St. Mary

[DeepDiverBob]

Captain Dale, do you still hang the O2?

[theskull]

I bought the Skulls old spare air and I plan on diving that....

Hey, that Spare Air lasted me 20 minutes at 90 feet, so why not make a dive on it. ;)

Wish I was gonna be with y'all on this trip. Will get in on another later fer sure.

theskull

*Note to divers considering a Spare Air purchase: I was exaggerating above, it only lasts me 5 minutes at 60 feet.

[Captain Caveman]

Captain Dale, do you still hang the O2?


I hope he does this weekend. Its always nice to have in the back of my head that if (it hits the fan) there is 100% at 15ft for us.

[MgicTwnger]

I hope he does this weekend. Its always nice to have in the back of my head that if (it hits the fan) there is 100% at 15ft for us.
He always has, it's SOP on the Enterprise. It's nice even if it dosn't hit the fan.

[DeepDiverBob]

He always has, it's SOP on the Enterprise. It's nice even if it dosn't hit the fan.

I dont recall it being out last time we was out, but Captain Dale was laid up at the time. I remember looking for it. And there was no stuff in the fan.

[CaptnDale]

I dont recall it being out last time we was out, but Captain Dale was laid up at the time. I remember looking for it. And there was no stuff in the fan.

Except on very shallow dives O2 hanging at 20 feet is SOP on Enterprise. I don't know why it would not have been there.

[MgicTwnger]

I dont recall it being out last time we was out, but Captain Dale was laid up at the time. I remember looking for it. And there was no stuff in the fan.
You might be right, I'm not sure myself.

[Captain Caveman]

ya diving this weekend. getting my tanks filled and picking them up Friday after work.

[MgicTwnger]

Weather for Saturday looks good: some clouds, 70 degrees, 1' seas.

[DeepDiverBob]

Me and Chris just loaded down his poor car. Actually, we have a little more room that I thought we was gonna have. Still thinking about bringing an AL80 stage just for safety...havent decided yet.

[MgicTwnger]

What bottles are you bringing? I'm packing my double 108's and single 121's.

[DeepDiverBob]

What bottles are you bringing? I'm packing my double 108's and single 121's.

just my 2 sets of 108s. No singles.

[Atlaua]

I'm all packed. Got my new toy assembled and loaded as well...

[Atlaua]

Well, we all had a great time. Got in late last night and getting ready to drive home. I'll post more and pictures later.

[DeepDiverBob]

it was indeed a great time. But then again, why wouldnt it be? Diving with good friends brings good times. Got in a few good dives, too. Not sure what to call that last thing we did. Dive/Search/1000 yard surface swim/???

[MgicTwnger]

it was indeed a great time. But then again, why wouldnt it be? Diving with good friends brings good times. Got in a few good dives, too. Not sure what to call that last thing we did. Dive/Search/1000 yard surface swim/???

I coudn't have said it better. Thanks everyone for coming, it's great to dive with good friends and good divers, some of whom I havn't seen for a while. And as for the staff guys from Mermet: long way to drive to find your motel room has an overflowing toilet!:eek:

How about we call it Elgin II?:D

[Captain Caveman]

I had a great time and can not wait to do it again. The next time I would love to spend more time on the Straits, There is so much more too see.
Thanks again every one for the great diving

[DeepDiverBob]

I coudn't have said it better. Thanks everyone for coming, it's great to dive with good friends and good divers, some of whom I havn't seen for a while. And as for the staff guys from Mermet: long way to drive to find your motel room has an overflowing toilet!:eek:

How about we call it Elgin II?:D

I think we agreed to call it a Barney dive.

[Atlaua]

it was indeed a great time. But then again, why wouldnt it be? Diving with good friends brings good times. Got in a few good dives, too. Not sure what to call that last thing we did. Dive/Search/1000 yard surface swim/???


I'd call it placing a mooring...

Yea the last dive was work but, I think I actually got to see about 80% of the wreck...now if I just knew what I'd seen. :)... I think I did recognize the paddle wheel and pieces of the engine and several large, long masts.

Coolest thing about that dive (except that it was the warmest) is that we dove inside Naval security boundries post 911...

Best thing of the trip was the wooden anchor on the St. Mary, after that it is the S of M, cool wreck all around but, unlike Speedo Boy ;), I'd rather dive historic rubble than a scuttled whole wreck.

All in all fantastic trip. We need to bolt some jet packs on the Enterprise (6AM to 9PM is a long day!) but it's a very comfortable boat and the crew is outstanding. What I really loved is they took a mixed crew of 4.5 doubles divers and 2.5 singles divers and made a great trip out of it.

Downside was Steve from Mermet loosing an HID bulb and a neck seal :(. Upside was watching Captain Caveman fall asleep while sitting and toppling over like a Keystone Cop (did you really think you were going to get though that one? :) ).

Pictures will be up tomorrow, too much time driving today...

James

[do it easy]

Yeah, never fall aaleep on the Enterprise!! There's too much time left for mischief. How about some pictures?

[Atlaua]

Pictures are up...

[DeepDiverBob]

Any pictures of Dave "handing" you the camera the first time? That would be an instant classic.

[Atlaua]

Any pictures of Dave "handing" you the camera the first time? That would be an instant classic.


At least the new housing got a good test!

[MgicTwnger]

At least the new housing got a good test!
So did your bladder control.:D