Dive Site: West Street Boat Ramp, Kingston, Ontario

Site Identification & Location:

•Name: West Street Boat Ramp Dive Site

•Location: West Street, Kingston, Ontario (Part of the Marine Museum Dive Area)

•Coordinates: General area near the West Street Boat Ramp, Kingston, Ontario

•Depth: 33 feet (11 meters)

Site Description:

The West Street Boat Ramp Dive Site offers a unique combination of historical artifacts and modern underwater features. Located within the Marine Museum Dive Area, the site is a snapshot of Kingston’s rich maritime past and its evolving waterfront. The mix of submerged vehicles, historical wreckage, and scattered debris makes this an intriguing dive for all experience levels.

Due to its active use as a boat launch, diving is recommended during off-seasons or times of minimal boat traffic to ensure safety.

Dive Site Features:

1. Scow Remains:

•Description: The site contains remnants of a scow, a flat-bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpged vessel used in the Great Lakes region for transporting goods. The structure is partially buried or fragmented, revealing Kingston’s industrial and maritime heritage.

•Significance: Scows were integral to 19th-century trade and construction, providing insight into the area’s historical economy.

2. Submerged Cars:

•Description: Two submerged cars are present, likely placed intentionally for environmental or diving purposes.

•Exploration: These cars act as artificial reefs, attracting marine life and offering a visually striking contrast to the natural underwater environment. Exercise caution due to sharp edges or entanglement risks.

3. Barge Remnants:

•Description: Additional wreckage includes remnants of an old Barge, such as wooden beams and metal frames.

•Significance: These pieces underscore Kingston’s bustling maritime trade history, adding depth to the site’s industrial character.

4. Bicycle:

•Description: A bicycle lies on the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg near the boat ramp, a modern touch to the underwater landscape.

•Exploration: Although not historically significant, the bike, coated with algae and marine life, adds to the variety of submerged items.

5. Laser Sailboat:

•Description: A submerged Laser sailboat, a popular small racing dinghy, adds an element of recreational history.

•Significance: Likely lost in a storm or intentionally sunk, this modern feature diversifies the site’s appeal.

6. Debris:

•Description: A mix of discarded objects and construction materials is scattered across the site.

•Exploration: While offering points of interest, debris can obscure Visibility and pose hazards.

Dive Site Conditions:

•Access:

•Easily accessible from the West Street Boat Ramp for both shore and boat divers.

•Diving during low-traffic periods is critical for safety.

•Difficulty Level:

•Suitable for all levels of divers, though caution is required due to the debris and potential entanglement risks.

•Visibility:

•Visibility can fluctuate with weather, boat traffic, and time of year.

•Best conditions are during calm weather and early in the day.

Safety Considerations:

•Boat Traffic:

•Avoid diving during peak times when boats are actively using the ramp.

•Use surface markers to ensure Visibility to boaters.

•Debris Hazards:

•Sharp edges, tangled lines, and obscured Visibility are possible risks.

•Always dive with a buddy and carry safety tools, such as a cutting device.

•Depth Awareness:

•At a maximum depth of 33 feet (11 meters), the site is shallow but requires attention to sudden terrain changes.

Resources & Links:

1.Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston

•Offers historical insights into Kingston’s maritime heritage, including information about this dive site.

•Marine Museum of the Great Lakes

2.Ontario Underwater Council

•Provides diving resources, site guidelines, and safety tips.

•Ontario Underwater Council

3.Save Ontario Shipwrecks (SOS)

•Dedicated to preserving Ontario’s underwater heritage.

•Save Ontario Shipwrecks

4.Local Dive Shops & Clubs

•Dive Kingston offers site-specific dives, rentals, and guidance for this location.

Analysis:

The West Street Boat Ramp Dive Site offers a fascinating blend of historical and modern underwater features. From scow remains to a submerged Laser sailboat, the site is rich in variety and appeals to divers of all interests. Despite its relatively shallow depth, the presence of debris and potential hazards makes it crucial for divers to exercise caution and dive responsibly. Its location within the Marine Museum Dive Area adds historical significance, tying it to Kingston’s maritime legacy.

Keywords:

West Street Boat Ramp, Kingston dive sites, Marine Museum Dive Area, Lake Ontario diving, scow wreck, Laser sailboat, Ontario underwater heritage, Kingston maritime history.

Conclusion:

The West Street Boat Ramp Dive Site is a compelling destination for divers, combining history, ecology, and recreational elements. It reflects Kingston’s rich maritime past while offering a unique underwater exploration experience. Whether you’re drawn to the scow remains or the novelty of submerged cars and bicycles, this site provides an accessible and memorable dive.