SUMMARY: A boat dive on a 366 foot ex-destroyer. LOCATION: Off Gooch Island east of Sidney. There are buoys marking the ship so it's easy to find. WHAT TO SEE: The ship has been down since 1995 so marine life is taking over. Giant barnacles and plumose anemones cover parts of the ship. Large patches of grey paint peel away from time to time and the marine life has to start over again. The ship is too big to see the whole thing on one dive unless you swim like crazy. All doors and hatches have been either removed or welded open and large holes have been cut in the hull to make it easier to explore. Fish have moved in and don't be surprised to see a seal peeking out of a hatch. CONDITIONS: The bottom around the ship is 90 - 100 feet deep. The main deck on the outside of the ship is around 60 feet deep. The radar tower is about 30 - 40 feet deep. Most people dive here on slack or on a very small tidal exchange otherwise currents can be a problem. Visibility is usually around 20 - 40 feet although at times it can probably be better or worse.
