Scuba Geek

WKPP record dive: Full detailed report and pics released June 13, 2006

Posted by Andy Carroll in : CaveDiving , trackback

The WKPP have released a detailed report of their record dive which I mentioned just after it took place over the weekend of 19-21st May 2006 and have also published a gallery of pictures covering the dive, both in and out of the water.

The WKPP is a dive team which have been undergoing an extensive exploration of Wakulla Spring for many years, and the longest dive so far had been to 19,000 feet with an average depth of 290ft. This dive was a few years ago now (2000) as the visibility of the cave has been too poor for diving. Conditions this year have improved though and the WKPP have made the most of it, with a dive extending the previous record by 1,000ft or so and with a bottom time of over 400 minutes!

Jarrod tried to bounce from wall to wall so that he could choose the correct direction; previously we had agreed to aggressively pursue any leads on the right wall that might head north into Leon Sinks. However, this tunnel refused to allow Jarrod a free pass to the North. Each time Jarrod tried to work North the tunnel would end, forcing him to maintain a Southern heading. Massive rock piles as well as remarkable rock features made it difficult to focus on the tasks at hand. We made quick work of the first reel and tied in the second. Jarrod continued to motor on into larger and larger cave while I followed close behind with the video setup. As we pushed past the planned 200 minute turn around point I began considering calling the dive. Given the loss of one scooter, our desire to find a North going lead and the need to survey during our exit I opted to call the dive at 225 minutes. I saw Jarrod going for a beautiful tie point on the way and gave him the “plenty for today” signal. As he cut and stowed the reel I removed the commemorative exploration arrow from my right pocket, placing it on the line. I handed Jarrod a collection of magnum arrows to mark the line on the exit while I surveyed. We made quick work of the survey - 16 stations, 3,000ft total, largest shot 460ft, shallowest station 203ft, and deepest station 259ft.

Very interesting report (if you are into cave diving anyway)