Empress of Ireland 2002 Expedition

This year Northern Atlantic Dive Expeditions is proud to announce two trips

to the famed passenger liner, Empress of Ireland .


  

Join us on one or both of the following dates to dive one of the most
prestigous shipwrecks in the world:

June 23, 24, 25, 2002

and

June 27, 28, 29, 2002

  Resting in 140 feet of cold, tubulent salt water in the Saint Lawrence Seaway, this wreck is only for the experienced.  The Empress of Ireland sank following a collision in fog with the Storstad  in June 1914.  She sank in fourteen minutes, taking 1012 people to their deaths.  The sinking of the Empress is the third worst disaster at sea in history, third only to the Titanic   and Lusitania tragedies.  Despite the depth, this wreck  is considered a technical dive.  All divers participating in this trip  should be prepared to make dives in cold, dark, turbulent water in strong currents. 



The Storstad survived the collision, with serious damage to the vessel.



There was not much opportunity to escape for the passengers of the Empress of Ireland


Diving the Empress of Ireland:



         

Our two trips will run at the end of June and will depart from Rimouski, in the Candadian province of Quebec. 

Visibility at this time ranges from 10-20 feet and water temperature is at a steady 32 degrees Farenheit.
  The two trips already have limited space.  Dives will be conducted  from a 27' CristCraft, complete with a christmas-tree style ladder, swim platform and marine head.  Each day we will depart for the Empress based on tidal schedules (times will vary).  Between dives we will return to the dock to swap out gear and have lunch, etc.  Weather and conditions permitting, two dives will be made each day.


For more information of the history and diving of the wreck visit the Empress of Ireland web site or
the SeaView Imaging site about the Empress.

Expedition Fees and Policies

    The price for each expedition is $495.00 USD no-frills.
A $50.00 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot upon reservation
A non-refundable deposit of $250.00 USD is due no later than February 28, 2002.
Balance of $195.00 USD is due in full no later than June 1, 2002

For special expeditions, N.A.D.E. offers an alternative to our cancellation/refund policy as defined in Policies and Procedures:
    Cancellations up to February 28 will be accepted with forfeiture of the $50.00 deposit.  Cancellations made after February 28th will not be accepted without full payment of the charter fare UNLESS a suitable substitute is secured in which case only the $300.00 deposit is forfeited.

All divers must submit signed and notarized liability release waivers no later than June 1, 2002.

     Divers are responsible for whatever air and/or gas s/he wishes to use.  Air fills, inlcuding nitrox, are available at local dive stores.
    Nitrox is available for $14.00 CDN per fill

There are no refunds following June 1, 2002 for any reason.

Accomodations:

We recommend the Hotel L'Empress for local accomodations.  It is the closest to the marina and both breakfast and lunch can be obtained in the hotel restaurant.  The price for a double occupancy room is $59.00 CDN per night (This is about $43.00 USD).  It is highly suggested that you secure your reservations about two to three months in advance if you want to have your choosing.  Many other hotels, motels and Bed & Breakfast establishments are available at various rates and distances to the marina.

  For reservations at Hotel L'Empress call: 1-888-724-6944

  For a complete list of accomodations, contact us directly or visit the Rimouski tourist accomodation information site.

Currency and Customs:

  The trip departs from Rimouski, located the Canadian provice of Quebec.   At  present time (Fall 2001), the US dollar is valued at approximately $0.63 USD = 1 Canadian dollar (this is good for us).  These rates can flucuate but one can assume the dollar is worth about 1.5 times more than a CDN.

The primary lanuage is French, most people speak varying degrees of English.

You will have to cross the US-Canadian border.  Be prepared for longer delays.  We do not expect any issues; however, in the wake of September 11th, all the rules have changed.  Have your driver's license and if possible a US passport.  We will update as we investigate crossing procedures, especially for those planning to bring T bottles of oxygen.

Driving directions to Rimouski will be available.

      For questions and/or reservations, please contact the expedition leaders Capt. Dave Caldwell and Capt. Heather Knowles at:

charters@northernatlanticdive.com