On Mon, 14 Aug 2000 20:52:07 -0500, Steven Catron <stepan-
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Hi, Glenn!
>        Thanks for the report - the Lermontov's definitely going on my list
>of things to do when/if I return.  Who knows, I might get tech-wreck
>certified so I can do a bit of exploring inside.  BTW, isn't this site
>fairly close to the area where several divers (three? five?) were lost
about
>six months ago?  What was the outcome of that?

Yes the Lermontov is fairly close to French Pass which is on the western
border of the Sounds. French Pass is know for its dangerous tidal rips and
current that can get up to or exceed 4-5 knots. The divers that were killed
in this accident were doing a drift dive and maybe over shot the exit. The
strong current went over the ledge of a deep hole (100m) and made a
downward push. The computer of one of the survivors maxed out at 97msw.

I'm not aware of any offical type report on this accident been released yet.

Yes the Doubtful sound trip will be liveaboard. This is one of the most
remote parts of New Zealand and I believe the Sound is almost completely
umpopulated. I Expect the marine life to be similar to Milford but Doubtful
has many other interesting sites, eg the wreck to the Waikare and above
ground the hill top site Captain Cook used to fix the position of New
Zealand.

Glenn