USS Perry

A successful expedition to the USS Perry was conducted by eleven NAUI Technical Gas Divers, on March 2-9, 2005. 9 PRISM CCR divers, and 2 OC safety divers made 23 dives to the wreck, USS Perry at depths ranging from 240-268 fsw, in currents up to 2kts.  Most dives were in currents less than 1kt, however, dangerous currents up to an estimated 5kts – enough to pull the 4-500 lb ship fender under – were seen and halted dive operations.

How we got there

A group of friends – all dedicated divers – took on the challenge of diving the USS Perry, not only as a technical challenge, but also in the context of full team operation.  Team objectives and the depths involved determined that, realistically, this type of diving could only be made on CCR’s with OC support.  The PRISM CCR was chosen for the project, and the team members assigned individual responsibilities for specific objectives on the project. The objectives were to detail the equipment requirements, train on all aspects of the dive operations, interview the survivors and film the wreck.  The team trained over a two year period under the direct supervision of Tim O’Leary; Tim was designated team leader, Ron Scorese trained the team on CCRs and John Bell was lead cameraman.  We learned early on, however, that each member would be taking on multiple tasks over the next two years.

On the last day of dive operations, CCR divers became dedicated top-side support and safety divers to allow the OC safety team to dive the USS Perry, insuring that every member of the team had the privilege of diving this USN War Memorial. The USS Perry Project, under NAUI Tec, was a Team Diving Operation in the truest sense. This expedition was a success due to the efforts of the team who trained together and independently for 2 years for to make it a success.  Thank you to all for bringing this project to fruition.

NAUI Tech – USS Perry Project Team Members (listed alphabetically):

Steve Banks, CCR Gas Diver, Bottom support
John Bell, Lead Cameraman, CCR Gas Diver
Bruce Belschner, USCG Master,  CCR Gas Diver, Bottom support, Lead Rigger
Ray Hunley, USCG Master, CCR Gas Diver, Cameraman
Philip Linscott, OC Gas Diver, Safety support
Diane O'Leary, CCR Gas Diver, Bottom Support
Tim O'Leary, Team Leader,  USCG Master, CCR Gas Diver, Cameraman
Ron Scorese,  CCR dive training,  CCR Gas Diver, Bottom support, Repair Technician 
Lonnie Sharp, LCDR USN, CCR Gas Diver, Bottom support
Dave Weber, CCR Gas Diver, Bottom support,  Repair Technician
Suzanne Zarling, OC Gas Diver, Safety support
 

Divers swimming over the USS Perry	First woman on the Perry - Diane by the Propeller
Cables and Reels	Bow Gun
Stern Davits & Lonnie	Dolly along Prop Shaf
Lonnie on Stern	Red Wheel - Depth Charges
Penetration - Tim	Penetration of Perry - Lonnie
Looking through a hole