NOSC
Tower Wreck
The name "Wreck Alley" conjures up images of diving sunken ships.
Wreck Alley is located just off Mission Beach in San Diego and does
indeed have sunken ships, several as a matter of fact, most sunk
intentionally as artificial reefs. In May the crown jewel will be
added, the 366-foot long Canadian destroyer Yukon. It will be sunk in
100 feet of water.
There is one "wreck" in Wreck Alley that was not, however, sunk intentionally. And it's not a sunken ship, yet it is one of the most spectacular dives of all of Southern California.
Through the 1960s, '70s and '80s, a small steel tower was affixed off Mission Beach. Although it looked somewhat like a small offshore oil rig, that was not its purpose. Rather, it was a research platform for the Naval Electronics Lab (NEL) and Naval Ocean Systems Center (NOSC), hence the name. Although the researchers generally did not like the visitors, it was an interesting dive even before it became a wreck.
In 1988, winter storms visited San Diego such as never before. During one such calamity, huge waves battered the small NEL Tower off Mission Beach. During the night, a 20-foot wave hit and the abandoned tower toppled. Nobody was hurt but, as is often the case, an unfortunate accident happened to create a fantastic dive site. And it has only gotten better with age.
Every inch of the twisted metal mess is now covered with marine life, much of it quite colorful. Anemones, mussels, and stars are the predominant animals, in that order. Corynactis anemones have the highest population count. These finger-sized anemones grow in patches of different colors, ranging from orange to pink with lavender in between. There is some indication that each color is a genetic sect, and there is rivalry between the clans for space. Bring a light; the patchwork of color is dazzling! Other anemones include the aggregating and solitary green anemones. Big chunky gray moon sponges can be found 40 to 50 feet down.
The jungle-gym of metal peaks out at 30-35 feet. Large schools of
calico bass and blacksmith patrol the upper reaches of the wreckage.
Watch out for fishing line and rope and carry a sharp knife. The
higher portions are dominated by a thick blanket of mussels. Sea
stars of the pisaster family love to feed on mussels. While you'll
find a few dotting the top mussel-encrusted members, most are on the
bottom. It seems the surge and sheer weight of their mass often break
away large clumps, and the stars feed on the relative calm of the sea
floor.
The lower labyrinth of wreckage is home to sheephead and barred sand bass. There is a very large black sea bass that has been known to visit from time to time. For the most fish action, head for the portion of the wreck on the leading edge of the current at the beginning of the dive. At the end of the dive, the fish will be to the rear of the wreck, picking up little bits of food you probably unknowingly broke free from the reef. Adrift in the currents, it's not unusual to see a variety of jellies at this site.
At the bottom look for cabezon, octopus and crabs. An abundance of food attracts a variety of life. Although there are not a lot of holes for them, lobster sometimes show up here.
The bottom, 60 feet down, is sand and debris, scattered about the main wreckage. This is a relatively small dive site, but you can broaden what you'll see by venturing out along the sand and the added wreckage. Halibut and rays will be seen.
For divers, no visit to San Diego is complete without diving Wreck Alley. Most likely, your first dive will be on one of the deeper wrecks such as the Ruby E in 85 feet. A great second dive, only minutes away, is the NOSC Tower wreck. While it might not be a sunken ship, it is still one of the finest wreck dives you'll ever explore.
Dive Spot At - A -
Glance
Location: About a mile off Mission Beach, San Diego in the area known as "Wreck Alley." GPS coordinates: N32°46.315, W117°16.121 (GPS for reference only. Do not use as your sole source of navigation). You'll need a depth finder to help you find this one.
Access: Boat only. Short boat ride. Launch ramps in Mission Bay.
Skill Level: All levels.
Depths: 30 to 60 feet.
Visibility: Fair to good, averaging 15 to 25 feet.
Photography: Excellent for both wide angle and macro. This a great camera dive.
Hunting: Discouraged in the Wreck Alley area.
Suggested Charter Boats Serving This Area:
DiveQuest - (800) 303-3483
Blue Escape - (619) 223-DIVE
Dive Connection - (619) 523-9282
or see the California Scuba Calendar section of this issue for trips to Wreck Alley
