Nice pics......

Never had any desire to don a diving suit and work underwater -- I think it would be creepy down there......

 

So dude, just how NASTY is it in the East River? (Same question for the Hudson if you've dived that too) -


Side note/trivia:
Re: that pic of one of the Brooklyn Bridge Towers . . . I remember reading somewhere that when they built it the the towers were to be built into the bedrock, but the bedrock for one of the towers was considerably lower than estimated so that tower just sits on the river bottom and is kept in place merely due to weight. Kind of frightening if you ask me.

 

Kobi

while that is a true fact. the sand down by the Brooklyn tower is very hard and dense and will hold up very well, like over 100 years. I know, i did borings near there. We actually dilled through a marble facing stone in the mud that must have ben dropped and not retrieved by the workers.

 

Some places are creepier than others. Still, nothing gets your heart pumping like working your way along the bottom, covered with debris, and trying to turn your head only to discover you're snagged on something and can't move!

Kinda fell into it really. Got my degree in mechanical engineering, then went to work for a company that does engineering consulting, focusing on waterfront facilities (ports, refineries, harbors, Navy installations, etc). I was hired to do railroad related work since railroads and ports are starting to go hand in hand. My first day on the job I was asked if I wanted to learn how to dive and join the companies Inspection and Rehabilitation group. Of course I said YES without really having any idea what I was getting myself into!

Shockingly it's not that bad, as long as it doesn't rain. Luckily for us, the past three weeks were hot and dry, with only a light sprinkle one afternoon. However, it is pretty common for guys to develop rashes, usually around their wrists when spending time in this kinda water. Could just be stings from the jellyfish too.

The issue with diving in NYC when it rains is their CSO (Combined Sewer Outfall) systems. When it rains, the storm water drainage system cannot handle all the runoff, so it joins up with the sewer system and when that capacity is exceeded, it overflows and dumps into the river at various points. If you've walked by the waterfront you've probably seen these signs:



Usually the first signs of overflow are East River Whitefish, AKA condoms. About 5 years ago, one of our divers was inspecting at Red Hook and at a depth of about 30' he suddenly exclaimed "$HI#!" When asked what was wrong, he said, "oh nothing really, there was just a turd floating by."

When it rains we don full vulcanized rubber dry suits to protect against the funk.



I'm wearing one this time due to cold water and potential for dirty water.


I'd say the Delaware River in Philly was probably the most disgusting place I've been diving. Last time I was up there, right about the time Swine Flu was hitting the news, we saw a dead pig float down the river. Awesome.


Regarding the BB, I'd suggest reading The Great Bridge. The book covers the building of the bridge and everything that went into it, a good read. They actually discovered decompression sickness as the workers were spending him in pressurized (to keep the water out) caissons and when they'd come out after a long days work, they'd get the bends.

- NCSU

 

Sea monster......

 

Its too late now but I guess you missed my previous post above, lol.