Miscellaneous Dive Reports:

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Northern Voyager by John Mitchell

10-18-02

Friday the 18^th I buzzed outta work at noon was at the marina by 1PM for our charter out to the Northern Voyager.  I met up with Tom Huff, Chris Fischer and a new tech diver named Slav who is originally from Czechoslovakia. It was interesting listening to Slav recount his story of how he “escaped” during the Communist regime.

It was a beautiful fall day, stiff breeze out of the NW, a bit chilly, but otherwise a picture perfect dive day. The boat pulled in about an hour late after returning from the Two -Anchor wreck. Jack Ahern and Jim Cooney two of my colleagues from the Doria and 869 expeditions were among those returning from that wreck. The neat thing about tech wreck diving is one always bumps into others they know well.

With those guys off loaded, we loaded up and headed out on gentle swells to the sinking spot of the Northern Voyager. Once again, I was the last one in the water to begin my umpteenth dive to the Northern Voyager. I followed the line down into what looked like oblivion. The line was slippery with sea urchins that scampered off in a dust each time I grabbed hold. For some reason, it seemed like an eternity getting to the wreck. I remember my first dive to the Voyager-- I was sliding down the line when out of the aquatic deep the words Northern Voyager appeared right before my eyes! Not a bad way for a wreck to introduce herself for the first time!

Anyway back to this dive, suddenly one of the anchors came into view.  The mooring was tied into the anchor, which to me was a convenient spot. I clipped my strobe to the down line and began to swim around the bow towards the wheelhouse. It was very dark!!  I shut off my canister light and could barely see anything at all. Hence underwater light systems were an absolute must for this dive. As I was shining my light on the hull I noticed the blue paint is still very visible. There is considerable buildup of sea amenities since my first visit 3 years ago. I can see the ocean is beginning to stake it’s claim upon the Voyager, but she continues to show off her colors in defiance. I descended right into the mud/sand and the gage read a solid 172 feet. Hm...I thought..must be low tide. I worked my way along the contour of the wreck to the wheelhouse. Again I noticed the white paint on the wheelhouse. It is beginning to become covered in dirty like amenities. I suspect in a couple years time the while paint will be lost to us for good. I was skulking around for more artifacts. It was in this area, I once found the flare box that bore the name Northern Voyager on the front. Dave remembers that one…he told me what a great find that was! I kept moving along towards the stern and saw the whip antenna lying on the bottom. I contemplated sending it up on a bag. But, I abandoned the thought figuring it’s not such a great find, and remains in the deep for anyone else should they want it.

I came to the open hatch near the stern. I entered into the Voyager there and began swimming down towards the stern section. For the first time I noticed fluorescent type fixtures and lights beneath me. All my trips to the Voyager and that’s the first time I ever noticed those! I could see electrical cords still plugged in place. I spun around and came back out. I figured it was time start migrating back towards the line. I had spent a lot of time poking around looking for stuff so I never got to circum navigate the entire wreck on this dive. But I’ve done that on several others. I meandered back to the anchor line and collected my strobe. Up I went and only after a few pulls the Voyager was hidden in the dark. I was a bit cool on the deco hangs, even using argon, but otherwise a really pleasant time!

I’ve always liked going to the Northern Voyager. Another successful trip and another great day of diving….could anyone ask for more!

Afterthought: You can see pictures the Northern Voyager in the Wreck Information section of this website.  Have a look!