Diving Oil Rig "Grace"

The Bottom of Oil Rig “Grace” at 321’

A Dive Report by Peter Den Haan

Monday, September 17, 2001

A more challenging dive than expected. Three of us started out for the bottom and I was the only one fortunate enough to make it. Considering we had to negotiate structure and currents, we agreed beforehand to concentrate on the dive and not try to stay together as a team. That turned out to be a good decision. Steven and Randy had equipment malfunctions and aborted the dive at about 80’. The current was strong, about 1.5 knots, and when I started my descent, I had my hands full staying clear of the structure that the current kept pushing me into, and at the same time, … equalizing, … adding argon to my drysuit, … and controlling my rate of descent, so I wouldn’t crash into the structure. Due to the structure, I had figured on at least 8 minutes to reach to bottom. Before I start my dives, I always turn my dive light on and clip it to a bottom D-Ring, so it shines down. At about 250’ I wasn’t so sure if I was going to make the bottom. At about 280’ I started looking at what faintly looked like a very rocky bottom, which actually turned out to be hundreds of empty mussel shells, reflecting from my light. This gave me the encouragement to keep going.

A little passed 6 minutes into the dive, I gently landed on the bottom and immediately was surrounded by hundreds of Blacksmiths, a fish similarly shaped as a Sea Bass, about 8” to 10” long. They were certainly curious what I was doing down there and not in the least bit shy. Although dark, the structure was visible for at least 30 + feet. It was serene, … I didn’t want to leave, but my plan said it was time to go at 9 minutes run time.

My rate of ascent was my primary concern, as too slow would dramatically increase my decompression obligation, and again, I had to worry about the currents and structure. At about 250’ I got a reverse ear block making me dizzy, but I kept telling myself I had to keep going and concentrate on making it to a 100’, my 1st gas switch. I reached a 100’ at 16 minutes which was exactly according to the dive plan, and made my switch to 39%. The rest of the dive was spent decompressing, breaking the surface at exactly 70 minutes run time.

What a great dive. I’m ready to do it again ☺