Dive Review of Atlantis Charters in
The Continental USA/Block Island, U-853

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Atlantis Charters, Jul, 2010, by B. Manning, DE, US ( 2 reports). Report 5635.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food	N/A
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	Chartered the Atlantis to dive the U-853 off of Block Island, RI. Boat is moored in New London, CT so ride out is a little under 2 hours total. Kudos to the Captain for still running the charter even though there were only three of us diving (we had driven up from DE night before). Boat appears to be a 6-pack normally. Very spacious with only 3 divers - 6 would still be fine. Inside cabin comfortable for ride out and back - couch and bunks available if you want to sleep. No place to really sit on the deck or topside however. Bring your own food and water. Boat is a converted fishing boat with a decent platform and fins-on ladder. The U-853 is an advanced dive due to the depth, cold and poor viz. However, it is an amazing wreck full of history (and bones). To fully appreciate the wreck (and know what you are looking at while underwater) do your research on the Type IX u-boat before. There are numerous youtube videos and articles on diving the boat on the internet. Google the U-505 too (on display in Chicago). A big tank is recommended - I dove a steel 120 w/ NITROX w/ a pony and 30 stage for added safety. Most divers will go into deco before running low on gas - especially on a second dive. 10 foot Hang-line from boat for any deco, can also use mooring/anchor line for deeper stops. A drysuit is best but a 7 or 8mm wet with extra layers will work too. Penetration of the wreck via the blast holes is easy (one diver at a time), however, deeper pentration using the interior hatches is harder and more dangerous, but not impossible. All topside hatches are removed (or were blown off) so you can peer into the interior compartments this way also. A diver with a single or small doubles will fit through the interior hatches - but not with a stage or any gear clipped to a belt or BCD. Staying on the exterior of the boat still provides a lot to look at. A strong light (and backup) is mandatory! A very cool dive and I would certainly recommend it!
Websites	Atlantis Charters
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	251-500 dives
Where else diving	NJ, MD, NC, FL, Aruba, Grand Cayman
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	dry	Seas	calm, choppy, no currents
Water Temp	48-69°F / 9-21°C	Wetsuit Thickness	7
Water Visibility	8-15 Ft/ 2-5 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	Nothing specific - private charter so mate asked us how long our dives would be.
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	None	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	None	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish	N/A
Large Pelagics	N/A
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	Small camera rinse bucket provided.

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Dive Review of Atlantis Charters in The Continental USA/Block Island, U-853

Atlantis Charters, Jul, 2010,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Atlantis Charters in
The Continental USA/Block Island, U-853