All hands on deck - the ARSBC needs you!!  HMCS Annapolis!

This 371-foot destroyer has a helicopter deck and hangar plus an exterior Bridge on the upper deck. Planned to be sunk near Vancouver in Howe Sound, the Annapolis is certain to become one of the most unique and popular additions to the fleet of ARSBC artificial reefs on the British Columbia coast.

The Annapolis project is a co-operative effort of the Artificial Reef Society of B.C., W.R. Marine, and the Squamish Nation, with the support of dive shops, dive operators, and divers around Vancouver - and even in the U.S.!  The Annapolis project has seen an incredible amount of support from the dive industry in BC, divers around Vancouver, B.C., Washington State, and some from even further away, but there is still more to do.

We have volunteer outings almost every weekend day (mainly depending on sea conditions in Howe Sound).   We are down to the wire, and if we are to be successful with sinking the ship this year, we need a steady stream of volunteers throughout the summer and early fall.  

We are hosting a big Metals Extraction Recycling Weekend July 23rd & 24th.  BBQ Lunch & Transportation from Horseshoe Bay to where the ship is moored off Gambier will be provided as well as each volunteer who comes out over the weekend will be entered to win a Whites Fusion Drysuit and a set of MK 2 Undergarments!!

If you're interested in joining us, please contact ARSBC Director of Public Relations Deirdre McCracken at dmccracken@artificialreef.bc.ca  You can also visit our website for a full list of tools and info about the project and other ships we have sunk. www.artificialreef.bc.ca

This is a list of What to bring that is already on our website that I was mentioning above- but just FYI - not sure if you would want to post or just put a link to our page:   www.artificialreef.bc.ca

Important Information for Volunteers

All volunteers must be 18 years of age.  Volunteers will not be working with any hazardous materials. Much of the work is dismantling equipment; lifting and staging scrap metal or garbage; removing doors, mirrors, walls, furniture, or wire racks; and, cleaning and sweeping. Some work will require the use of ladders.

You will need to bring:

• clothes that you don't mind getting dirty (note: it's cold inside in winter)
 
• safety-toe or heavy durable boots
 • flashlights and/or headlamps
 
• safety glasses
 
• gloves
 
• lunch, drinks, snacks (although some may be provided)
 
• simple tools are useful; heavier tools are provided.
 
• camera, sun-screen

Recommended tools to bring:

Some basic tools will be provided, however you need to come equipped with your own set for use. The heavier duty the tools the better. If you are coming with a friend - it is fine to share tools.
 

• tool bag or box
• vice grips (2), plumber wrench
• spanner wrench set
• ratchet set
• hammer
• screw driver set
• retractable knife and extra blades
• knee pads are a worth bringing but optional

Safety:
The ARSBC will provide this additional safety gear.
 

• first aid kit
• eye wash
• hand cleaner and dust masks
• water for washing
• disposable suits for fibre glass removal
• hard-hats
• life jackets
• portable washroom facility will be on-board

The water temperature in the Revillagigedos Islands (Socorro) was 73. TheWhites Fusion Sport on the Baja Aggressor was the perfect suit to ensure I was able to dive every dive without concerns of getting cold after multiple dives. Using the lightest of the Whites undergarments, the MK0, over my shorts and t-shirt kept me extremely comfortable during the dives. When others were shivering coming out of their wet suits in the ever windy and cool topside conditions, I was the first one to enjoy the between dive snacks dry and warm!

The Whites Fusion Sport was extremely easy to put on - actually easier than a wetsuit - it is self donning so no help is needed to zip the double zippers. The Fusion skin conforms to your body eliminating annoying air pockets and the need for calf gators. With four different undergarment configurations, there is never an excuse for not staying toasty and dry during any diving conditions. I am heading to Galapagos in August and looking forward to spending as much time as possible with schools of hammerheads and whale sharks, being able to focus on the pleasure of the moment and not on wearing a bulky wetsuit or over getting cold during the dives!

Justin Balaski went diving in South Africa...

“The Whites Hazmat was our go to suit for these extreme cold conditions. The smooth finish on the Whites suit sheds water eliminating icing when the diver exits the water. The material also remains supple in the extreme cold. We've tried using traditional rubber, and neoprene suits in these conditions, however they tend to freeze stiff when the diver exits due to trapped water in the inner and outer fabrics.”

said Murray Mackay, CEO of Advanced Sub Sea.

"When your working at a remote job site, you need easy and fast repair and maintanance. If we suspect a suit leak, we pressurize the Whites suit on the spot with the diver still inside. With the dry adhesive heat activated patch system we can fix a hole immediately with the diver still dressed. No downtime!" 

Thawing out after the dive. "Although the suit remains ice free, valves, zippers, helmet, tools,hoses,...everything wet freezes instantly. Thawing out après dive using a hair dryer! This is the same hair dryer that can be used to patch a suit if required!

An aerator located over the pump system keeps the area free of ice during the job.

What are they wearing under the Hazmat? Base wicking layer, and then the Whites MK3. Whites MK3 socks are combined with Heat packs for foot warmth. Dry gloves are used, with additional heat for heat packs.