Unidentified Hull – Marine Museum Barge 1

SITE DESCRIPTION

The Marine Museum dive site in Kingston, Ontario, offers a convenient freshwater diving experience with a variety of features to explore. Located near the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes, this site is easily accessible and popular among divers, particularly for practice dives and equipment testing.

DIVE ROUTE

• Entry Point: Divers can begin their dive by following the West Street Route, heading east along the wall towards the Marine Railroad.
• Caution Area: Divers should be aware of the sewer overflow area near the Marine Railroad.
• Marine Railroad: Located on the east side of the caved-in Wharf, with a line extending southeast to the corner of the pier.

From the Marine Railroad, the dive route splits into two directions:

1. Eastward Route: Leads to the Anchors.
2. Southeast Route: Takes divers toward the barge.

BOTTOM CONDITIONS

The dive site has a silty sediment bottom, which can easily be disturbed, reducing visibility to zero. If visibility is compromised, divers are advised to ascend a couple of feet above the silt cloud and wait for the current to clear the area.

POINTS OF INTEREST

• Scattered Debris: Along the route, divers will encounter a variety of scattered debris, including tires, bottles, broken toilets, and shipbuilding parts.
• The Barge: The main attraction of the dive, featuring a scow build. The bow of the barge often holds bottles and other artifacts left by previous divers.
• Marine Life: The site hosts various aquatic life, including fish and mud puppies, which are more visible during night dives.

DIVE CONDITIONS

• Depth: The site provides a maximum depth of 36-40 feet (11-12 meters).
• Visibility: Average visibility ranges from 16 to 20 feet (5-6 meters).
• Aquatic Life: While aquatic life is limited, it is more visible during night dives. Caution is advised during the summer months due to increased boat traffic.

DIVING TIPS

• Silt Management: Due to the silty bottom, be cautious with fin movements to avoid kicking up sediment. If a silt-out occurs, ascend slightly and wait for the current to clear the water.
• Traffic Awareness: Exercise caution when surfacing, especially during high-traffic periods in the summer.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Marine Museum of the Great Lakes: Located at 55 Ontario St., Kingston, Ontario, the museum is dedicated to preserving the maritime history of the Great Lakes. It is a designated National Historic Site of Canada and offers exhibits and artifacts related to the region’s rich naval history.

RESOURCES & LINKS

1. Marine Museum of the Great Lakes: Marine Museum Website
2. Kingston Dive Sites: Kingston Scuba Diving
3. Lake Ontario Shipwrecks: Lake Ontario Diving
4. Great Lakes Maritime History: Maritime History of the Great Lakes

KEYWORDS

• Marine Museum, Kingston, Freshwater Diving, Barge, Anchors, Lake Ontario, Silty Bottom, Night Diving, Great Lakes Maritime History.