Diving U-869, the "U-Who?" wreck made famous by Shadow Divers — with a detailed top-down photogrammetry model and a builder's-plan overlay.
U-869 “U-Who?” Submarine (New Jersey — 230 fsw)
Category: Photogrammetry
PBM Mariner Wreck: Side-by-Side Photogrammetry Model Comparisons
The author revisits the PBM Mariner wreck off Point Loma to improve a previous photogrammetry model, dealing with minor equipment issues and poor surface conditions during the dive. The new model features enhanced color and detail, providing a more accurate visual document of the historically significant wreck for an upcoming book.
Revisiting the TBM Avenger: A Deep-Wreck Photogrammetry Project
Photogrammetry model of a deep TBM Avenger that crashed in 1952. Bureau Number is 53439.
Exploring the F-4 Phantom Wreck in San Diego
Introduction I've always loved the F-4 Phantom. There is a well-known F-4 Phantom wreck in the Torrey Pines area of San Diego (actually, very close the P-38) that is about 150 feet deep. I've dove it a couple times and it is usually dark and limited visibility. For my upcoming book, I had gone further [...]
Photogrammetry in Wreck Diving: Insights from the F4D Skyray
Introduction One of the wrecks that I am writing about for "Aviation Wrecks of Southern California" is the F4D Skyray that crashed in the 1950s. The pilot, Leo J. "Pete" Colapietro bailed out at 650mph and living to tell the story. I had previously posted some great photos I recently received from a family member. [...]
Georgia (Redondo Beach, California — 135 fsw)
There has been plenty published about the Georgia fishing boat (which was originally mis-identified as the Retriever). For background, I would recommend reading the California Wreck Divers web page on the Georgia / Retriever. I had gone with Ray & Kyaa at Sundiver back up to the F4D Skyray in Santa Monica Bay to work [...]
Coronado Islands: The Mystery of the Sunken Wreck
Intro Tyler and I had been planning a trip to the Coronado Island with Lora at Marissa Charters for a very long time. It was deferred at least 2-3 times due to weather, unplanned trips, etc. We finally got down there in early February 2026. Tyler had a friend who had seen an airplane wreck [...]
Diving the Solana Beach P-38 Wreck: Enhanced 3D Modeling Techniques
In 2022, a P-38 wreck was discovered off Solana Beach, leading to initial photogrammetry modeling. As skills improved, a recent dive on January 22 aimed to enhance the quality of the model for the book "Aviation Wrecks of Southern California." Despite complications, a clearer, more accurate representation was successfully created.
USS Emmons (DD-457/DMS-22) Photogrammetry Model
Introduction This has been a long time coming ... I've been thinking about building a photogrammetry model of the USS Emmons for years. It is an epic wreck that is on the edge of recreational diving in terms of depth. It is, in my opinion, one of the best US Warship wrecks within dive-able depths. [...]
TBF-1C Avenger BuNo 47746 (Anacapa Island — 120 fsw)
Introduction This is a well-known and previously dived and identified wreck; however, I had never personally dove it and I had been meaning to for a long time. My goal was to build a high-quality photogrammetry model to capture the current state of the wreck. I made a "rookie mistake" and forgot to re-zip my [...]
