SODS (Southern Ocean Diving Society) are putting together a trip to dive the wreck of the Mikhail Lermontov in 2010. Their last trip to see this beauty was a total success so here it is again – for all wreck lovers – this is the ultimate wreck.

You could get in some practice dives on the Canterbury.

Nearly 800ft long, in less than 40 metres water, she surely is one of the best, if not THE best wreck dive in the southern hemisphere.

The trip is tentatively planned for either July or November, this will depend on how they get the required numbers. The trip is open to all divers, however minimum of Advanced Open Water is recommended. Nitrox will be available. Trimix will be available as well – however only to CCR rebreathers.

Wreck penetration cannot be recommended without a redundant air source and advanced wreck training or similar. Therefore single tank divers will be limited to small penetrations and the outside of the ship. They will have plenty of guides on the trip (Brend, Christian and probably one more), so that even on a single there will be some nice stuff to see in the easier parts of the wreck, just the deep penetrations will be restricted for diver safety. If you are on CCR or twins you can go for it.

Number of divers will be limited to nine. 5 spaces are already filled, so there are 4 spaces left at the moment.

Costs for 5 days diving including accommodation and all airfills, but excluding O2 for nitrox and He/O2 for trimix will be around $950 departing Picton (top of the South Island). Final price to be confirmed when they have numbers as this is a non-profit trip.

Contact Christian on email cblaschke@z-systems.co.nz.
Or see the SODS website.

Filed under: Ali Perkins, Diving New Zealand, Technical Diving, Trips, Upcoming Events