denise
09-22-2011, 09:48 AM
Dive Site Plan of the Captain Tony
(aka. M/V Becks) Shipwreck
by Tyler Cole
The Captain Tony is a 167-foot long Dutch freighter originally named the M/V Becks. It was scuttled on October 22, 1996 in 85 feet of water off the coast of Boca Raton. The Captain Tony was renamed in memory of Captain Tony Townsend, a local dive charter captain, who was killed by a drunken boater just before Thanksgiving of 1996. The Captain Tony was scuttled as the county’s 29th artificial reef system. The 35-year-old ship rest with two other wrecks in the area- the 150-foot Budweiser Bar, sunk in 1987, and the 65-foot Swordfish, sunk in 1992.
http://dayo.com/images/cpttony1.jpg
Location and access to the Captain Tony shipwreck:
The wreck is located four miles south of the Boynton Inlet.
As she is located quite a bit of a swim from the shore, the best method of arriving at the dive site is by using a dive charter boat.
GPS Location:
N 26 28.870 W 080 02.350
http://dayo.com/images/cpttony3.jpg
Local Dive Trip Operators that visit the Captain Tony shipwreck regularly:
There are several dive trip operators in the area. We like to use:
* South Florida Divers (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?1891-Diving-with-South-Florida-Divers-Pompano-Beach-Florida)
* Little Deeper Charters (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?833-Diving-with-Little-Deeper-Charter-Boat-in-Boynton-Beach-Florida)
Recommended Dive Experience:
As the Captain Tony wreck lies in 85 feet of water, she is an advanced dive and requires nitrox to give divers sufficient bottom time.
As with ANY shipwreck dive, penetration dives should NOT be attempted unless the entire dive/buddy team is certified and experienced with wreck penetrations.
Diving The Captain Tony:
The Captain Tony wreck is intact and rests upright in 85 feet of water, with her bow pointing to the South. There are several openings for divers with the proper training to penetrate the wreck and explore the Captain Tony’s interior (assuming the entire dive/buddy team is certified and experienced with wreck penetrations).
When visibility is good and there is no current, it is possible to reach the nearby Budweiser bar wreck. To make the 10 minute swim to between the wrecks, leave the Captain Tony from the bow on the port side (southeast corner) and follow the rock piles to the South heading slightly eastward to deeper water.
Wildlife divers can expect to see:
http://www.dayo.com/fishid/yellowtailsnappersfederico_2.jpg
The wreck is teaming with wildlife, a few examples include permits (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?740-Permits), wahoo, groupers (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?437-Groupers), tarpon, barracuda (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?450-Barracuda), snapper (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?425-Snappers), wrasse (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?415-Wrasse), jacks (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?2190-Jacks), damselfish (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?442-Damselfish) and surgeonfish (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?422-Surgeonfish). Several large goliath grouper can often be spotted in the engine room.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/gallery/files/4/5/1/goaliathgrouperrobert_2.jpg
Photo by Robert Palmer
Water temperature and sea conditions:
To get an idea of current water temperatures and sea conditions, check out this nearby weather station (http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=pvgf1).
In the summer the water temperature ranges between 82F and 85F, a rash guard, skin suit or 3mm shorty is fine to wear. Wearing some type of the exposure suit is recommended to protect against scrapes, stings, sun burn and jellyfish.
In the winter the water temperature ranges between 65F and 72F, a 5mm-7mm full wetsuit or even a dry suit is recommended. Wearing a hood or a hooded vest in colder water temperatures will help to maintain your heat.
Visibility ranges from 30 to 60 feet depending on local conditions. Typically divers will experience the gulfstream current which can range from .5 knots to 4 knots. Remember to respect the current. Two knots of current can move you 200 feet in one minute!
Weather conditions:
Current weather conditions in Bonyton Beach can be found by clicking here (http://www.weather.com/weather/today/USFL0046)
Equipment needed for this dive:
Typical recreational dive equipment is needed for this dive. It is recommended that divers use enriched air/nitrox to allow for extended bottom time on the deep wreck. Additionally each diver should carry a safety sausage, dive knife and gloves. Knives are essential as there may be mono filament line on the wreck.
Pre Dive Routine and Preparation:
Each buddy pair/team should make a dive plan, and stick to that plan. Making a dive plan makes the dive more enjoyable and safer. Before you hit the water each person should know exactly where/which direction they are going on the dive, for how long, how deep, and route back. Once you’ve had your allotted time/gas consumed underneath the water, ascend to the surface as a pair/team after completing your safety stop. Don’t change the dive plan during your dive.
Pre-dive Safety Check:
Don't forget your equipment checks! All buddy pairs/teams should do a predive safety check on the boat (before you get to the dive site) to make sure that everything is working as it should be, and there are no leaks. Also, make sure you go over your buddies gear, and have your buddy go over your gear to make sure you are both familiar with each others equipment.
Entry and Exit:
Generally, scuba divers gear up on the boat, and with ALL their gear on shuffle to the back of the boat. Entry into the water is via giant stride.
For reentry to the boat, hand your fins up to the divemaster and use the ladder to exit the water. The crew will help haul the divers and gear back onto the boat.
Dive Procedures:
Maintain visual contact with your buddy at all times. If in a large group, be sure to regroup and make sure that all divers are accounted for prior to exiting to the surface. All divers should have adequate reserve for the return to the surface and allow for a safety stop
Always listen, look, and ascend with caution as you near the surface. You should be on he mooring ball, or have deployed a surface marker buoy.
Environmental Interaction Suggestions:
As you should on any dive, always maintain good buoyancy, so as not to damage any coral or marine life.
Emergency Procedures:
In case of buddy separation, follow standard procedures, look for your buddy for one minute and then ascend slowly to the surface. If both of you are using lights, shield your light to attempt to locate your buddy. If you cannot find your buddy ascend slowly, and make your way back to the entry point. Your buddy should also be following these procedures and will see you at the surface. Check your air supply, to ensure you have enough to continue the dive.
If anyone is low on air, signal your buddy with the appropriate hand signal and begin your ascent. In the rare and unusual case of an out of air situation, signal your buddy and commence sharing air.
Emergency Oxygen should be made available on the dive boat, and its location outline in the dive briefing.
Emergency Contact Information:
* Calling 911 will activate EMS in the area
* The U.S. Coast Guard can be contacted on Marine Radio Channel 16
* DAN – 1-919-684-4326
Always call DAN after 911 in the case of a dive emergency which may require medical attention.
DAN should be called in the case of any diving medical emergency. They will provide expert advice and refer you to the correct chamber, if necessary.
Enjoy your dive, be safe and have fun!
(aka. M/V Becks) Shipwreck
by Tyler Cole
The Captain Tony is a 167-foot long Dutch freighter originally named the M/V Becks. It was scuttled on October 22, 1996 in 85 feet of water off the coast of Boca Raton. The Captain Tony was renamed in memory of Captain Tony Townsend, a local dive charter captain, who was killed by a drunken boater just before Thanksgiving of 1996. The Captain Tony was scuttled as the county’s 29th artificial reef system. The 35-year-old ship rest with two other wrecks in the area- the 150-foot Budweiser Bar, sunk in 1987, and the 65-foot Swordfish, sunk in 1992.
http://dayo.com/images/cpttony1.jpg
Location and access to the Captain Tony shipwreck:
The wreck is located four miles south of the Boynton Inlet.
As she is located quite a bit of a swim from the shore, the best method of arriving at the dive site is by using a dive charter boat.
GPS Location:
N 26 28.870 W 080 02.350
http://dayo.com/images/cpttony3.jpg
Local Dive Trip Operators that visit the Captain Tony shipwreck regularly:
There are several dive trip operators in the area. We like to use:
* South Florida Divers (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?1891-Diving-with-South-Florida-Divers-Pompano-Beach-Florida)
* Little Deeper Charters (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?833-Diving-with-Little-Deeper-Charter-Boat-in-Boynton-Beach-Florida)
Recommended Dive Experience:
As the Captain Tony wreck lies in 85 feet of water, she is an advanced dive and requires nitrox to give divers sufficient bottom time.
As with ANY shipwreck dive, penetration dives should NOT be attempted unless the entire dive/buddy team is certified and experienced with wreck penetrations.
Diving The Captain Tony:
The Captain Tony wreck is intact and rests upright in 85 feet of water, with her bow pointing to the South. There are several openings for divers with the proper training to penetrate the wreck and explore the Captain Tony’s interior (assuming the entire dive/buddy team is certified and experienced with wreck penetrations).
When visibility is good and there is no current, it is possible to reach the nearby Budweiser bar wreck. To make the 10 minute swim to between the wrecks, leave the Captain Tony from the bow on the port side (southeast corner) and follow the rock piles to the South heading slightly eastward to deeper water.
Wildlife divers can expect to see:
http://www.dayo.com/fishid/yellowtailsnappersfederico_2.jpg
The wreck is teaming with wildlife, a few examples include permits (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?740-Permits), wahoo, groupers (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?437-Groupers), tarpon, barracuda (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?450-Barracuda), snapper (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?425-Snappers), wrasse (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?415-Wrasse), jacks (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?2190-Jacks), damselfish (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?442-Damselfish) and surgeonfish (http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/showthread.php?422-Surgeonfish). Several large goliath grouper can often be spotted in the engine room.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/forums/gallery/files/4/5/1/goaliathgrouperrobert_2.jpg
Photo by Robert Palmer
Water temperature and sea conditions:
To get an idea of current water temperatures and sea conditions, check out this nearby weather station (http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=pvgf1).
In the summer the water temperature ranges between 82F and 85F, a rash guard, skin suit or 3mm shorty is fine to wear. Wearing some type of the exposure suit is recommended to protect against scrapes, stings, sun burn and jellyfish.
In the winter the water temperature ranges between 65F and 72F, a 5mm-7mm full wetsuit or even a dry suit is recommended. Wearing a hood or a hooded vest in colder water temperatures will help to maintain your heat.
Visibility ranges from 30 to 60 feet depending on local conditions. Typically divers will experience the gulfstream current which can range from .5 knots to 4 knots. Remember to respect the current. Two knots of current can move you 200 feet in one minute!
Weather conditions:
Current weather conditions in Bonyton Beach can be found by clicking here (http://www.weather.com/weather/today/USFL0046)
Equipment needed for this dive:
Typical recreational dive equipment is needed for this dive. It is recommended that divers use enriched air/nitrox to allow for extended bottom time on the deep wreck. Additionally each diver should carry a safety sausage, dive knife and gloves. Knives are essential as there may be mono filament line on the wreck.
Pre Dive Routine and Preparation:
Each buddy pair/team should make a dive plan, and stick to that plan. Making a dive plan makes the dive more enjoyable and safer. Before you hit the water each person should know exactly where/which direction they are going on the dive, for how long, how deep, and route back. Once you’ve had your allotted time/gas consumed underneath the water, ascend to the surface as a pair/team after completing your safety stop. Don’t change the dive plan during your dive.
Pre-dive Safety Check:
Don't forget your equipment checks! All buddy pairs/teams should do a predive safety check on the boat (before you get to the dive site) to make sure that everything is working as it should be, and there are no leaks. Also, make sure you go over your buddies gear, and have your buddy go over your gear to make sure you are both familiar with each others equipment.
Entry and Exit:
Generally, scuba divers gear up on the boat, and with ALL their gear on shuffle to the back of the boat. Entry into the water is via giant stride.
For reentry to the boat, hand your fins up to the divemaster and use the ladder to exit the water. The crew will help haul the divers and gear back onto the boat.
Dive Procedures:
Maintain visual contact with your buddy at all times. If in a large group, be sure to regroup and make sure that all divers are accounted for prior to exiting to the surface. All divers should have adequate reserve for the return to the surface and allow for a safety stop
Always listen, look, and ascend with caution as you near the surface. You should be on he mooring ball, or have deployed a surface marker buoy.
Environmental Interaction Suggestions:
As you should on any dive, always maintain good buoyancy, so as not to damage any coral or marine life.
Emergency Procedures:
In case of buddy separation, follow standard procedures, look for your buddy for one minute and then ascend slowly to the surface. If both of you are using lights, shield your light to attempt to locate your buddy. If you cannot find your buddy ascend slowly, and make your way back to the entry point. Your buddy should also be following these procedures and will see you at the surface. Check your air supply, to ensure you have enough to continue the dive.
If anyone is low on air, signal your buddy with the appropriate hand signal and begin your ascent. In the rare and unusual case of an out of air situation, signal your buddy and commence sharing air.
Emergency Oxygen should be made available on the dive boat, and its location outline in the dive briefing.
Emergency Contact Information:
* Calling 911 will activate EMS in the area
* The U.S. Coast Guard can be contacted on Marine Radio Channel 16
* DAN – 1-919-684-4326
Always call DAN after 911 in the case of a dive emergency which may require medical attention.
DAN should be called in the case of any diving medical emergency. They will provide expert advice and refer you to the correct chamber, if necessary.
Enjoy your dive, be safe and have fun!