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Plans to Raise a Wreck
A salvage outfit called Northeast Research LLC believes one sitting in 176 feet of water 20 miles off the coast of Dunkirk to be of significant historical interest.
"If it's the ship we believe it is, then it was built in 1797," said
Northeast Research videographer Pat Clyne who has made several dives on what he now believes is the Caledonia, a warship once used by Admiral Perry in the war of 1812, and later refitted as a commercial schooner called the General Wayne.
To read the full story go to http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=68854&catid=37
- Trade in deals
Trade in your old tank (pre 1990) and get an aluminum 80cft or 63cft for $229.00 or a Worthington steel LP108 or HP100 for $379.00.
- Scuba Cylinders
We regret that we are no longer comfortable servicing* or filling Aluminum Scuba Cylinders made from 6351 Alloy (i.e. Made before 1989)
This does not apply to steel tanks.
History & Reasoning:
Scuba Cylinders are high pressure vessels that contain huge amounts of potential energy and must be handled with care. Part of that handling is also proper maintenance and inspection by properly trained people.
Sustained Load Cracking (SLC) is a condition that typically is seen in the neck area of aluminum cylinders and most commonly in cylinders made from 6351 Alloy which is a type of aluminum commonly used before 1989 by all manufacturers other than Catalina.
Failure to detect these cracks can result in catastrophic failure and there have been documented cases of such happening during filling which have caused serious injuries.
We like many other dive stores in Ontario have taken this issue seriously since it first came to light over 8 years ago and our service regimen includes:
· PSI trained inspectors ( PSI is the only training agency dedicated to cylinder inspection only and is recognized as the industry standard)
· Highly Magnified Optical viewers to inspect tank necks
· Use of Eddy Current testing to further check for cracks.
· Thorough documentation during inspection.
Variables that we cannot control:
· Skill or training of inspectors outside of our store.
· Human Error
· Lack of proper tools used by other inspectors. ( I.E Eddy current, Magnified viewers, proper lights etc)
· Fill rates at other fill stations ( Rapid filling heats and expands tanks possibly increasing the chances of cracks developing)
· Many shops will not fill these cylinders unless they have done the visual themselves or will not fill them at all.
· Even doing everything right leaves a bit of doubt and frankly we do not wish to deal with this unknown any longer.
Summary: You will get various opinions on this topic from professionals in the industry but many share the belief that this action is a positive one and have instituted similar policies.
Should you have one of these cylinders which are nearly 20 years old (or older) we will take it on trade ( for disposal ) and sell you a new one at a discount.
Thank-you for your understanding on this issue, should you have any other questions please contact the store.
*If you have one of these cylinders ( we can not guarantee other stores will fill it ), We will not do a VIP on it and advise you to let us dispose of the tank. Customers who trade these in can receive a discount on a brand new tank.
References:
Transport
PSI – Professional Scuba Inspectors:
Article by Bill High of PSI on SLC cracking:
DOT – Department of Transport Alerts on 6351 Cylinders:
Cylinder Manufacturers Info:
Luxfer - http://www.luxfercylinders.com/support/faq/sustainedloadcracking-australia.shtml
Catalina Cylinders: http://www.catalinacylinders.com/neckinspect.html