Hanko Diving: no diving

Dive dates: 14-15.8.10
Water: 0m +20-28c
Rig: t-shirt, sunglasses, cup of coffee

After some initial hassle SGD Hanko trip turned out great, even if the weather and some other issues prevented us from diving in SS Eira. I was sick and could not dive anyhow, so I tagged along and enjoyed the trip with friends. There will be another time, soon, when I'm feeling better!

Special thanks to Timo and Immi.

Åland: Too much Wind, too little Wrecks

Photo: Mikael Tilja

Dive dates: 30.7-1.8.10
Water: 20-35m +8c
Rig: drysuit, 2x12 steel

Diving with Colona Divers Gunnar and Christina. Myself, Susi, Janos, Hakkis, Ville and Jori visited Dive Åland again. Angry winds, some familiar wrecks and not enough sleep.

Made in Thailand played in Dino's, which was nice. On the last day we discovered a playground full of (giant) bunnies nearby Marienhamns centre.

Dive sites:

http://divealand.com/ukvrak.asp?wreckId=6
http://divealand.com/ukvrak.asp?wreckId=15
http://divealand.com/ukvrak.asp?wreckId=3

Vornaskotti took some nice pictures:

http://blog.vornaskotti.com/2010/08/13/wreck-diving-in-aland-part-ii/

Ladoga

Dive dates: 5-8.7.10
Water: 32-40m +4c
Rig: drysuit, 2x12 steel, 80cu stage

Diving with UDG, I was able to visit this beautiful wreck thrice during the US summer camp 2010. Totally worth it every time. Thanks to Sami S for the initial tour!

Note: You need a personal permission from the Finlands Military Museum to dive here.

Picture stolen from wikipedia

http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miinafregatti_Ladoga

UJ 117

Dive dates: 5.7.10
Water: 50m +4c
Rig: drysuit, 2x12 steel, 7l&80cu stages, argon, der blinkenlights

Diving with 20/20 trimix, I was given a tour of this "U-boot-jäger" by Kasnäs Watersports Eki. This warship sank in 1941 when it hit a mine.

Note: I guess you need a special permission from the Finlands Military Museum to dive here. Try to ask a trip from Kasnäs Watersports.

Picture stolen from internet (Jouni Polkko?)

http://www.hylyt.net/hylky.jsp?id=uj_117_1941
http://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/artikkeli/Sotahylyn+ry%C3%B6st%C3%B6saaliista+l%C3%B6ytyi+yll%C3%A4tt%C3%A4en+tietoja+internetist%C3%A4/1135220651759

Monitor Rusalka

Dive dates: 23.6.10
Water: 60m +4c
Rig: drysuit, 2x12 steel, 7l&80cu stages, argon, der blinkenlights

Diving with 18/40 trimix, we found the propeller of this warship on our first dive and could not locate the wreck at all on our second dive. We blame the shifting wind and currents, as narcosis was not to blame, this time.

The Charodeika-class battleship lies at the bottom of the Gulf of Finland, at the depth of 74 meters, 25 kilometers to the south from Helsinki. BNS reports that Rusalka was built in 1868. On September 7, 1893 the battleship entered Helsinki, but was rubbed into heavy weather and sank with the crew of 177 seamen. So much for the "unsinkable" design.

Picture stolen from Wikipedia

http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monitori_Rusalka

Zenobia, Larnaca, Cyprus

Dive dates: 13-18.4.10
Water: 40m +17c
Rig: drysuit, 12l steel, 3l pony,

Pics: 176m long Zenobia, build 1979, sank in 1980 with 108 articulated lorrie as her cargo.

Picture by Janos H