Öland Expedition 2003
Sunday, may 18th Dansk
The Öland 2003 expedition began in the morning on the 18th. After a few final preparations were solved everything was ready and the ship left the harbour of Grönhögen. The participants had chosen the "Nicomedia" as the first wreck to visit. After a couple of hours of cruising we arrived at the site where the German steamer was lost 88 years ago. The wreck soon showed it self on the sounder and the shot line went over board. Following this the first team also went in to secure the shot. After only a few minutes of waiting we were lying safely over "le grande dame".
- On a wreck of this size (117 meters long) 30 minutes of diving time elapses quickly. So the team were soon back on the surface all exited about their first dive. And this was only the beginning ! The down line was secured in the aft end of the ship, right next to some of the massive winches that can be found almost everywhere on the wreck. Visibility was +20 meters with no current at all. In all perfect conditions for a dive in this area.
The rest of the day the diving teams did two dives each on this impressive wreck with maximum depths around only 30 meters. But even with two superb dives on the "Nicomedia" everyone had to admit that they had only scrathed the surface of this wreck. The "Nicomedia" has so much more to offer. The intact stern that rises 10 meters above the bottom. 5 large cargo hulls. The engine room. And the bridge area that a diver can use more than 10 dives to explore. We decided to pay another visit to the "Nicomedia" later in the week.
The better part of the afternoon had passed on before we had the last dive team back on board again. While they did their kits we picked up the deco station and ran off for Grönhögen. The sun was still up and the team was eagerly discussing the diving and what to do the following day. Nitrox was filled in the tanks and the crew was preparing for the next day. The weather forecast was looking very promising so everyone was looking forward to another great day.
(c) nolimitsdiving 2003
