Arona – Dive Briefing

Location Name: The Arona was a Spanish merchant ship, that used to navigate among
the Canary Islands transporting all kinds of cargo, that sunk in 1972 due to a fire in the
engine room.

The wreck is located at six nautical miles from the Puerto de La Luz in Las Palmas. The
ship has 100m in length and 15m broad. Today it lies on its starboard side on a sandy
bottom at a depth of 40 meters with the side that is closest to the surface at a depth of
20m with temperature rounding 20ºC. As a boat dive, we will role on our back and
meet at the line, when coming back, come up by the ladders on the boat.

The hull and towers are covered in corals and anemones, being constantly circled by
schools of barracudas, grunts and bream.

Current is usually mild, but we should take in consideration the hazards of a wreck
dive: Overhead environment, disorientating problems, sharp edges and
entanglements.

The dive plan is to descend, circle the ship wreck until the first diver get half a tank,
and ascend, both by a line. There will be a Dive Guide at the front followed by the four
dive masters. In case of any problems grab someone’s fin, if in an arm’s distance, or
clap your hands/rocks together.

Keep your buddy at an arm’s distance, and keep a safe distance from the ship to avoid
hazards.

Signal reviews: Ok, Problem, Ascend, Descend, Air, Current, Follow, Fish, 3m safety
stop, pressure (asking and responding).

When someone gets to half a tank it’s their responsibility to inform the dive guide.
There will be a 3min safety stop at 5m, followed by any stops recommended by the
diver’s computer. We are going to a max depth of 30m, expecting to remain there for a
maximum time of 11min, total dive time around 40min. There will be a spare tank
hanging at 5m in case for a longer safety stop.

If someone gets lost, they should look around for the group for a minute. If not
successful go back to the line and ascend. In case of an emergency, there is O2 and a
first aid kit on the boat, call the emergency local number (112).

Every buddy pairs should do a complete buddy check (BWRAF)

Local life should be respected. Because of this is important to respect the biosphere
present, by nor taking or touching anything.