The USNS Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg wreck site will be accessible to all levels of divers. She rests in 140-150 feet of water, yet her profile and superstructure rise from the bottom to the shallowest point of 40 feet below the surface. Southpoint Divers has initiated protocol that will determine the level of experience of each diver. This will help us monitor safety while placing each diver in a group with similar experience and not penalizing the diver who is more qualified.
An accurate and working log book gives us a much better idea about a diver’s level of experience and the date of their last dive. A current diver is one who has dived within the past year. We realize an "advanced" diver may have as little as 9 dives and still never have done a dive without supervision. Fraudulent log books are common, yet do nothing but jeopardize the diver’s safety. For this reason we reserve the right to evaluate each diver and place them in the proper group. Certification cards are required and bring your log books to show your experience level.
Safety is our primary concern and because of the scale and complexity of this wreck we will be taking all the necessary precautions. All divers will not be allowed to penetrate the wreck. The Vandenberg has pre-designed and pre-constructed swim-throughs. Our protocol for these areas will be specified in our site briefing. Many times conditions will determine the difficulty of the dive therefore the crew also reserves the right to reevaluate each diver’s skill level as well as the guided diver ratios while at the dive site.
A Guided Diver: A current open water diver within the recreational limits. This level will be under direct supervision of one of our professional guides. This will allow the group to explore the navigation-bridge deck, radar deck, the 2 satellite dishes, and most of the superstructure. Because of the extra crew, there will be an additional guide fee of $30 per diver. Programs are set up for divers at this level who demonstrate proficiency to qualify for our Southpoint Diver's stamp as a Vandenberg approved diver.
A Qualified Diver: Advanced diver or above with documented experience, with the proper functioning equipment, and within the recreational limits. The dive profile for this level can range from 40-120 feet, and because of the diversity of depth and time allowed, each diver will be required to have a dive computer. Exploring the wreck will be at your discretion, yet keep in mind there is too much to see in one dive!
A Technical Diver: The deep, technical, mixed gas, or rebreather diver. Southpoint Divers will be accommodating this level of diver on a private charter basis. The size of your group will determine the crew, the boat, the equipment required, and the cost. A broad range of dive profiles including wreck penetration exist within this group, most outside the range of recreational diving. For this reason it will be difficult to set a standard for this level. We have the staff to accompany, supervise, or teach at this level. Please contact us, and we can work out the specifics.
