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Written in July 2002:
This afternoon I did a couple of dives on the Yukon. I was
amazed by all the marine life...!! When we dropped down the bow line, the first thing I
saw (after a field of huge white metridiums) was a couple of patches of something that
looked and felt like coral...!! I've never seen anything like it around here before.
Anyone know what it might be? And the metridiums! Has anyone ever seen so many in one
place before? I've seen one or two from time to time. I've been diving for 6 years now,
over 650 dives all over the world - and never seen the population that have grown on the
Yukon in two short years. Even on the Yukon's sister ship, the Saskatchewan off Vancouver
B.C, there are a few, but nothing like what we have on the Yukon...!!
I haven't been on the Yukon for about 4 months. It was really exciting to see the amount
of fish that have taken up residence there. Some of the largest schools of perch I've
seen. Many large kelp bass, sand bass, sheephead, variety of rockfish species, cabezon,
sculpin, lobster, senoritas, and others. Nudibranchs, nudibranch egg masses, starfish of
many sizes and species. No garibaldi today, but a surprising growth of kelp it's now
almost completely covered in growth. There are many juveniles that I can't identify - a
good sign.. Strawberry anemones are growing nicely, as well as some large orange
metridiums....
http://www.divebums.com/FishID/Pages/club-tipped_anemone.html
http://www.divebums.com/FishID/Pages/white-plumed_anemone.html
Water temp above the 35' thermocline was 66. It was 72 degrees at the surface. The bottom
was a chilly 54. I was glad I had on my hooded vest, though the 7mm suit was just fine for
two dives. Vis was over 40' outside the wreck, over 60' inside. Overall, nice dive. If you
haven't been diving on the Yukon lately (or at all), you're missing a real treat.
Caution to new divers: This wreck dive is intermediate to advanced, depending on
conditions. Average depth is 80 feet, minimum depth 60' / max 100'. There can be currents
but there are conveniently placed buoy lines (if you can see them). This dive is safe and
enjoyable if you team up with an experienced diver, pay attention and practice safe diving
procedures.
1. Dive only with an experienced buddy - stay with your buddy.
2. Make sure to take a good light.
3. Dress as warmly as possible so you get to make 2 dives. It's cold down there! There's
plenty of good thermal protection available in neoprene these days. Ask me if you need
suggestions....
4. Make sure your gear is streamlined. Attach those dangling hoses to your BC so they
don't catch on something and/or damage the marine life.
5. Watch your bottom time. It's very easy to go into decompression, especially on the
second dive.
6. Watch your air so you'll have plenty for an adequate safety stop.
7. In low visibility, make sure to take a compass heading before descending. The skewed
position of the boat causes disorientation even for experienced divers. You can also
determine your location and direction by the numbers on the access markers if you
become disoriented. (detailed in Highlights, Note 8 below)
8. In low visibility, the buoy lines are sometimes difficult to find. Make sure that you
have plenty of air/ time to locate a buoy line for making a safe ascent.
9. Always ascent using the buoy lines.
10. Don't stray away from the wreck.
11. Don't forget that this wreck is an overhead environment. You should have special
training and safety equipment prior to engaging in wreck penetration.
Yukon Highlights:
1. The Yukon is a 366' long former Canadian destroyer escort.
2. It sank on it's port side just before midnight on July 13, 2000, 36 hours before the
scheduled sinking. Some of the planned access holes (which are shown on the Yukon slate)
weren't cut yet prior to sinking.
3. One of the surprising benefits of the ship lying on its side: the silt sifts to the
bottom, so there is no silt inside the ship.
4. No matter where you are inside the ship, you can always see daylight. Light shines in
from above.
5. The wreck was "cleaned" during thousands of hours of volunteer efforts over
an 18 month period of time. Access holes were cut in the ship so divers could safely
explore all parts of the ship. There are only a few exceptions. The boiler area was deemed
too dirty for adequate cleaning and was sealed.
6. There are 2 guns on the ship, one at the bow, one just forward of the mortar bay (near
the stern). Check out the forward gun. Especially look under the gun turret. You'll be
amazed at the growth on the bottom side.
7. There are no propellers. They were removed prior to the ship being transported from
Canada.
8. To help you stay oriented, the access holes are labeled with white plaques which are
kept cleaned by volunteer divers. These openings are numbered using the following scheme:
Deck number/port, center, starboard/sequence from bow. 4S4 is an outside access hole, Deck
4, starboard side, 4th opening from the bow. Vertical openings (inside the ship) have the
same numbering scheme, but followed by a V - i.e. 3P2V is Deck 3 (leading to Deck 4), port
side, 2nd opening from the bow, vertical opening.
9. A couple of my favorite places on the ship:
- Engine Room, Opening 4S4. It's huge, cavernous, lots to explore. Plenty to see even from
the outside.
- Ammo Bay, Opening 4S2. This requires penetration for about 20 feet.... It's right inside
opening 4S2. Go inside, take a quick right through the small opening (don't get stuck).
Look down through the hatch in the deck. Shine your light around. You'll see the ammo bay,
which looks like giant honeycomb. This is a very restricted space. Don't attempt to enter.
- Control Room. This is located directly under the bridge (openings 1S1, 1P1), right
behind the bow gun turret. The forward wall is the Wall of Honor. Those of you that
donated to the Yukon project will find your name here on the Dive Animals plaque. This
also requires penetration, about 40 feet.
10. Access holes for Deck 5 were never cut. The ships sank before this could be done.
These openings are labeled on the dive slate. Obviously, there's no access from the port
side, except a few toward the bow. Remember, these are located at 100 feet.
If you want to dive the Yukon, you can sign up for the one of the upcoming club boats.
Just specify YUKON as your desired destination when you sign
up, and bring $15 and two
full tanks.
