Testimonial
Lermontov "Live-a-Board" 5/6th May, TOPAZ II
Phil Lagias and I joined members of Dive Club Marlborough for a two night live-a-board trip to the wreck of the Lermontov and Chetwode Island. Our home for two nights was the 45 foot steel charter launch TOPAZ II, a very spacious and comfortable boat moored in Waikawa. We met at Go-Dive around 6PM and set off in TOPAZ around 7PM for an overnight stay in Ship Cove. There were 8 on board, Brent McFadden and Nine from Go-Dive, Phil Lagias, Guy and myself from Christchurch, Sue from Nelson, Alex and Gabrielle who are visiting NZ on their OE's from Germany and France.
We set out from Ship Cove at day break, rounded Cape Jackson and were tied up to the mooring on the Lermontov and in the water for our first dive before 9AM. Nine, Guy, Phil and myself took the first dive, with Brent, Sue, Alex and Gabrielle taking the second. Nine took the lead and guided us into the wreck, passing a hair salon, some shops then into the indoor pool - Although I have dived the Lermontov a few times, I did not know that there was an indoor pool with an awesome glass roof over it. Visibility was great for the whole weekend with ~8m viz on the Lermontov dives.
After a surface interval (and some jam sandwiches - thanks Nine) Phil and I went in for another dive, this time on our own. We headed to the mast head of the ship at first, saw the DF antennae and Satcom Radome, then followed the superstructure to the Bow. There we went a bit deeper until we came across the bow thruster. I was hoping to work back along the hull to find the tears in the belly of the ship caused when it hit the rocks at Cape Jackson. Thing got a bit boring however, so we ascended a bit to find the companion ways, and followed them back to the centre of the wreck and the mooring. We managed to miss the mooring line, and continued along the wreck until we came to the stern. We made quick about face, back along the way we came - but this time we found the mooring and a good sized Octopus - Phil had a quick play with this fellow, then we had to follow the mooring line up to the 5M safety stop that Brent had set up with a spare scuba unit.
Back on board for a nice hot cup of tea and smiles all around. Nine took Guy for a penetration dive into the engine room - Back on deck, they were both fizzing with excitement after what must have been an awesome dive. Mid afternoon, we cast off from the Lermontov mooring and motored around towards Titi Island. Brent dropped us of in a nicely sheltered bay for a forage, where Phil and I found some Cray's for dinner.
Brent took the TOPAZ around to Deepwater Bay (I think that is what it was called), where we found a mooring and settled for the night. Brent cooked up a great dinner and the Cray's were soon demolished. Stories of the sea and a beer or two followed the dinner, followed by a very good nights sleep. Sunday morning Brent took us to Chetwode Island, where we found a sheltered bay and all jumped in for another dive. Alex and Gabrielle came across some carpet sharks and some stingrays - smiles all around as we got back on the boat. We made another dive in another bay - more great scenery and some big Cray's were spotted.
Early afternoon, we motored back to Cape Jackson where Brent put us directly over the wreck of the Lastingham, A 220 foot sailing ship that was put on the rocks by bad weather in 1884. This was the dive of the trip for me. 10m visibility and big, big animals wherever you looked. The Lastingham is laid flat in 15m of water, with masts clearly visible and steel plates lying on top of one another (with some neat creatures underneath). Some big Moki and a very big Blue Cod were spotted, along with some monster Cray's deep in a crack in a massive boulder.
We set off back to Waikawa as soon as the last diver was back on board, and made it to the berth at 7PM.
Big thanks must go out to Brent (great food Brent!!) and Nine of Go Dive and Dive Club Marlborough, and to the other divers who made the whole trip so enjoyable—I will be back for another trip like this!!
Check out the Go Dive web site for details of more trips like this and a very good source of info on the wrecks around the Marlborough
Sounds.
www.godive.co.nz or call 0800 GODIVE
Rob Weeks
Christchurch
Live-a-board Trips
The ultimate way to Dive Marlborough
With over 3000kms of coastline to explore, only so much can be reached during our popular 1-day dive trips. Go Dive Marlborough’s live-aboard dive tours cater for those who really want to experience Marlborough diving at its very best, while exploring those seldom reached sites.
Like diving the Lermontov, it takes at least 2 to 3 dives to orientate yourself to this huge wreck, over the course of a 2 day live-a-board you could really get to know her inside and out, while doing up to 8 dives. Alternatively you could explore the seldom-dived Chetwode and Titi Islands and experience the great visibility and fish life they offer. All while enjoying the company of up to 6 other guests over a period of two days, while you dive, sleep and eat as much as you like, aboard our very comfortable 14 metre charter vessel Topaz. Maximum number of guests limited to 7 with 2 crew on all tours.
Included in the tours; 2 nights accommodation on board with an option to a third if required, evening meal with wine, breakfasts and lunches. Up to 4 dives a day guided by Marlborough’s most experienced wreck/dive guide, cylinders and weight belts. Nitrox, U/W lights, DVP’s, twin cylinders and cameras also available by arrangement.
A typical trip departs Waikawa Marina around seven in the evening, we steam out to Ships Cove where you will spend the first night on board, in the morning we leave Ships Cove for Port Gore having breakfast along the way, arriving around 8.30am. Dive the Lermontov up to 4 times during the day, either stay in Port Gore that evening and dive the Lermontov, Lastingham and Rangitoto wrecks the next day or steam over to dive the Chetwodes and Titi Islands, before heading back to Picton, arriving around six in the evening.
Tour Cost: NZ$595.00
Extras:
Equipment rental if required: $65.00
Third nights accommodation on board if required: $20.00
Evening meal on the first or third nights if required: $15.00 per meal
Linen: $20.00
Nitrox: $10.00 per fill
Lights: Battery cost only
Cameras: $35.00
DPV’s: No charge
Twin Sets: No charge
Go Dive Marlborough reserve the right to cancel or alter any tour if unfavourable weather is forecast or encountered during the trip, or we have insufficient numbers to operate the tour.
Special Charters: If you have special requirements or would like exclusive use of our live-a-board vessel, trips can be arranged starting from an all-inclusive price of $1,900.00.
2010 Two Day Live-aboard Dates
Lermontov live-a-board Trip dates to be confirmed - meanwhile check out the blog