For Mid-October DIRrebreather expedition was planned to submarine U455. I had also logged and made everything clear so far. The aim was to confirm the exact identity of the submarine, and possibly to collect data for its demise.

Dives were planned up to 120m depth. The submarine is inclined to the seabed. The bug starts at about 92m, the rear part is in the sea bed at about 123m.

Our team gases were measured at Diluent 8/80, Bailout 10/70, 18/45, 50, and O2.

Arrival (Sunday, 10/14/12)

We went out early on Sunday to drive the 750km to Santa Margherita (on the Ligurian coast). This time, the Gotthard tunnel was free and we got on well into Italy. There we were in front of a highway tunnel but only stopped once. As we later saw there was an accident with a cyclist in the tunnel (on a motorway). Well the wait was only 20 minutes. Arrived in Santa Margherita, the weather was not great (rain and thunderstorms later), but I prepared (and the other divers DIRrebreather) our dive gear. In the evening we sat together in a restaurant around the corner of the divecenter “Portofino Divers”

Monday (15/10/12)

Unfortunately the weather was not better, after violent thunderstorms in the night it rained all day and the wind (hence the waves) were strong. So there was a day interspersed with showers to explore the city, Around 16 o’clock there was a briefing by Pim, but tomorrow should be sunny and low wind at all. The eleven Divers were divided into two groups. The first group was to divided at 9 o’clock in the morning, the second group should then start against 13 o’clock in the afternoon.

First Diving (Tuesday, 10/16/12)

The day began with sunshine, light winds and lovely blue sea.

I belonged to the second group (afternoon), so time to sleep out and have a leisurely breakfast. At 11 o’clock the afternoon group arrived at the dive shop and prepare the final touches for the dive. A little later the news came from the base, which was the line of the shot put lasted a little longer. So well start a little later. We passed the time with some small talk. Again a little later came the news that the base leader “Bruno” has yet to decide whether it is not too late for a second dive, mhh we remained hopeful, however, even with the fear that is now perhaps nothing with a second dive. So again wait 2 hours then at 14:30 the first group came back and the second dive was canceled due to the late hour, by the base manager.

All of us had very annoyed. But some would be able to use the nice day with your companions different if the information would have come sooner. Thus, all were very disappointed by the poor information chain of the divecenter. By 17 o’clock there was again a briefing for the next day. The forecast for Wednesday was even worse then, a little more wind (still in) but in the morning rain again. Early as the day before departure at 9 o’clock. This time there was no plan for a second dive. At least, this dive is for the 2nd Group.

Second Dive (Wednesday, 10/17/12)

We were all on time at the dive center. Made the final touches, and loaded up the dive boat, then it went off. The sky was cloudy and when we came out of the harbor, the sea was rough.

The ride to the submarine was then also quite sporty. The boat was fighting against the wave. After about 40 minutes we were there. It was immersed in two groups of three divers. I was with the first group. Preparing the dive gear in rough seas is not easy. Then jump into the water. Ah flow that was still strong. Stage handling lasted even forever (with one hand always on the flow line. After a good 5 minutes were both Stages turned on. Next point, against the flow forward to the shot line was not easy either. At last dive, we hung out like the flags in Wind. Bubble check with me to make everything ok, when buddy over me everything is ok, the buddy under me has bubbles came out  from the Diluent DST. Until I reach him we were attentive even at 30m, then when I try him on the bleed-off 1st stage I had taken care not for a moment and lost the shot line. I need all the strength to reach again the shot line. At the now surprisingly warm inhaled air from TR300c was obvious that I had a lot of produced CO2. Me was already a little uncomfortable. good moment breaths, and went back. and descent, at 92m we reached the submarine. But with me, the CO2 level in blood was still too high. I did not feel good, so I cancel the dive and ascent. At approx, 60m then the symptoms went away. So the rest of the ascent was no longer a problem. except the flow. I had 28min decotime and I was back on board of the dive boat after 45min.

The diving organization on the water was very good, two safety divers with scooters prepares the Dekorig where there was 50% (21m) and O2 (6m) gas already installed. The decotime was then afloat (a backup diver removed the intermediate line to the Shot line) We then followed the Dekorig about 4 km before divers were back on board.

There not as many images this time. The TR300c eCCR went great, only the diver weakened  🙂
After all, I saw the submarine. I think here I will dive again and then I explore the entire submarine.

Dive U455

92m 45min Diluent 8/75

Our Team Stages IMG_0445
TR300c IMG_0440