September 14, 2013^

Having the boat confiscated cost us about six hours, and at least one dive.

But, Kamil found another boat, so the plans changed.

The first dive of the day was going to be on the Bryza Wreck, which was a Cutter Ship that was purposely sunk for divers just several years ago.

Igor was teaching some class, I’m not exactly sure which one, but I was to tag along and follow.

I think at this point, they are pretty certain I can manage myself underwater.

Igor and the divers gear up.

We swim to the buoy that marks where the ship is.

Logged SCUBA Dive #447

Dove with Igor and three other Polish Divers

Bryza Wreck
Hel, Poland

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 900 psi
Max depth: 62 feet
Waves: Mild chop
Visibility: 15 feet
Water Temperature: 49 degrees
Air Temperature: 68 degrees
Total Bottom Time: 35 minutes or so

Most divers had double tanks – that is extremely macho, in diver terms.

Part of the front, above the bow.

I’m following the group, trying not to be a burden on the class.

Igor was easy to spot – he was diving with a side mounted cave configuration.

We inspect the hull for leaks – I was amazed at what little sea growth is on these wrecks.

The ocean water in the Baltic is also not very salty; it’s almost like lake water.

A porthole.

A safety stop to reduce the possibility of death.

Kasia mans the compressors.

I declined another dive today.

It is getting late and I have an issue – Igor is leaving tomorrow night and can drop me off at the Gdansk train station.

However, I don’t believe the trains run that late.

Kamil can drop me off in Gdansk on Monday.

Either way, once I reach Warsaw, I need a place to stay.

I walked into town to use the internet and to see what I could do.

*This post has been delayed due to Polish beer, Vodka and lack of internet access.

September 14, 2013*

It’s Saturday, and the plan is for Igor’s group to do a deep, technical dive in the morning.

In the afternoon, I’ll go with them for a recreational dive.

I woke up around 8 AM, to get some coffee and walk in to town to use the internet.

Everyone seemed to be either pissed, upset, distressed or in some kind of panic mode.

Among the things that I picked up in all the Polish speaking panic, were the words, “To nie dobrze…” – “This is not good.”

I asked Kamil what was going on.

“We are having problems with the boat, it is not working,” Kamil said.

I walked over to the dock…

Dude, where’s the boat?

Everyone was here, but no boat?

I went to get more coffee and saw Kasia.

“Kasia, what happened to the boat?” I asked.

“The guy we rented the boat for the weekend from didn’t pay for registration and it got confiscated in the middle of the night,” she said.

She continued, “All he could say was, ‘Sorry, I guess I forgot.’ We are looking for another boat.”

This will cost us some dives I’m sure.

*This post has been delayed due to Polish beer, Vodka and lack of internet access.