Egypt expedition technical diving safety logistics

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Nothing would happen until the skipper was happy that the shot line and grapnel was fixed into the wreck. As slack water arrives the initial team of 2 would dive to the wreck and lash the final section of line into the wreck at a convenient location. By doing this meant the way was open for positive exploration with little risk of the grapnel pulling free from the wreck indicated to the surface by means of a coloured coded marker released by the initial pair. They are then free to explore with confidence of a safe return. The remaining 2 pairs of divers then begin their descent to the wreck followed close behind by a deep support diver. On this occasion the deep support diver secured the release lazy shot at the 44m junction then proceeded to 54m where he would then wait for the safe return of the exploration teams. 54m was infact where the teams would switch to their first decompression gas, which they in turn each carried.

Expedition leader Chris Hutchison on deck.

The deep support would also carry a spare deco gas if indeed the occasion arose; his dive was also perfectly timed as to meet the exploration divers without impending a serious amount of decompression himself. After the lazy line had been secured a surface team with the aid of a RIB would then assemble the remaining two down lines of the station making three in total one for each pair of divers. As the exploration divers reach the lazy release junction the deep support disconnects from the main shot line leaving the entire station to float freely within the tidal waters. The deep support will then stay with the divers until they reach 12m depth where upon his duties are relived by a shallow support diver. Shallow support will then remain with the divers until the very last diver leaves the water, which could drift into hours. Once each pair of divers is in position shallow support then arranges the station to allow the divers to decompress in comfort. Tasks such as arranging spare gas cylinders at the correct depth, fixing drinks dispensers at fixed depths and removing unnecessary equipment such as Aquazepps of camera systems.

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The divers prepare the deco station for a dive to Egypt

Preparing the deco station off northern France before heading out to the wreck.

Waiting for the word to dive from the bridge Richard Stevenson and David Wilkins (right)
are about to make the first initial drop to 420ft to become the first technical divers to
explore the famous shipwreck Egypt. Deck man Gregg Carol stands to the entrance to
assist the divers on entry with additional equipment such as Aquazepps and cameras.
© Leigh Bishop 2001

Decompressing during the evening sun out in the Atlantic over the famous treasure ship Egypt. Click on the image to enlarge.

Safety Logistics continued
Meanwhile the RIB above stays with the station and awaits the surfacing divers as well as carrying drop lines of gas in ready if the occasion arose that any divers failed to located the shot line on there return and had to make a free accent. If this situation arose a standby team of deep and shallow support divers where in ready on the main dive vessel. In theory shallow water support is indeed the most painstaking duty to undertake. Not only are they undertaking dives longer than the bottom divers they have to be strictly alert of all surrounding actions. For example deep dives as such will are penalized with higher CNS loading than is recommended, thus at the very tail end of an exploration divers schedule, shallow support will monitor them for adverse effects and be ready to take action if necessary. Steve shot the wreck using the classic 'Weymouth way' i.e. the lightweight grapnel was deployed in current and up-tide then simple left to find its way along the seabed into the wreck. Its prongs strong enough to hold the weight of the line into the wreck. After the operations have been completed the dive vessel simple pulls the grapnel free bending the prongs with it and snapping the weaker line used to lash into the wreck. The grapnel is then free to bend back into shape for the next dive.

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Empire Heritage
HMS Charybdis
HMS Audacious
HMS Limbourne
RMS Egypt
RMS Laurentic
Flying Enterprise
RMS Titanic
Smyrna
Wilhelm Gustloff
HMS Vandal
U767
US Tanker Illinois
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