DiversInc

The Great Beyond

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:15:00 +0000

One of my favourite shore dives is Glen Douglas. I know it’s not everyone's cup of tea: too dark, too deep, nothing to see, but it draws you...like an intimate secret others seldom get to explore. And it's not a hard dive to navigate - just follow the wall, turn, ascend and comeback along the mud slope. Pretty straightforward, but you have to look hard if you're trying to find something to make for an interesting picture. The wall doesn’t lack life. There’s an abundance of squat lobsters, velvet crabs, anemones, sea urchins, molluscs, gobys, wrasse and pollock; but at 40 metres (130 feet), there ain't much ambient light and the silt can be pretty dense too.

On Saturday Robbo and I headed there. It was 5 degrees - bl**ding freezing and a chilling rain that never ceased.

Anyway, on our descent the viz was zero from about 16 metres. Although I was leading, the wee man and I soon lost contact about 38 metres. I couldn’t even make out his torchlight although I knew he couldn’t have been more than about 3-4 metres away. Being hardened Scottish divers, we’re pretty used to solo diving and we’d agreed just to continue and surface after 30 minutes if we lost each other. So I carried on following the wall descending to 42 metres. I could only see about 1 metre with the torchlight , but still managed to spot an adult scorpionfish about a foot long and got one decent pic despite the viz.

As I continued along the wall, I saw the remains of a hermit crab on a ledge. It had become the main course for three starfish which were wrapped around it obliviously feasting. Then I noticed a vacant Titan shell beside it and guessed that had been the hermit’s home before its demise. That’s when I had my little drama. My torch had flickered a few times before and then it died. I couldn’t see my gauges and my fingers were so numb with cold I couldn’t press the backlight on my computer. So there I was, 42 metres from the surface, pitch black, no torch and no visible instruments – great. I went for the back-up torch in my BCD. But again, my fingers were so numb I couldn’t unfasten the zip on the pocket. So I unsuccessfully fumbled in the dark trying to simultaneously open the pocket whilst shaking and twisting my main torch, without any degree of success.

Aware of my depleting air and the necessity for a deco stop, I started to ascend by touch, keeping in contact with the wall. I didn’t see an overhang which banged my main reg against my mouth bruising my lower lip. The alarm on my computer started to bleep, so I knew I was ascending too fast. I stopped and held onto the wall as a reference and once more tried for the back-up torch. We all know the drill. Don’t start to panic, just stay focused, be methodical, keep calm and you’ll work through it. With some patience, I eventually retrieved the back-up torch. The little light it provided was as welcome as daybreak. So that was me – mini-crisis over and following 9 minutes of deco, I surfaced after 38 minutes. Robbo was just ahead of me removing his fins. ‘How was your dive?’ he asked. ‘Excellent!’ I responded. Yes we really are a couple of crazies! But still, I’ll probably do it all over again next week.

Oh, and the Titan shell I’d been looking at when my torch failed. I found it in my drysuit leg pocket. I’ve no recollection of putting it there, but I must have. Also during my little episode, ‘The Great Beyond’ sung by Ed Kowalzcyk was playing in my head as loudly as if I’d had my earphones in. I must be losing it – or I’ve lost it. One or the other. And I must get new rechargeable batteries for that damn torch.

Donegal October 2011

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 11:40:00 +0000

After reading an article about the PADI 5* Mevagh Dive Centre, Carrigart in 'Dive' magazine in 2010, by chance, I had an opportunity to check it out on a trip to Northern Ireland later that same year. Unfortunately for me though, I had a dreadful cold which kicked into touch any thoughts of diving, so I just contented myself with a look around. I had a good discussion with Donald Cullen, the owner about the facilities, equipment and diving. And I have to say, I was impressed on all fronts.

The centre comprises an excellent B&B with ensuite facilities, a swimming pool no less and is a stone's throw from the local hotel/restaurant. From Open Water, to technical equipment, Donald just about has it all and the total cost for a long weekend trip including return ferry crossings and transport was actually comparable to a weekend stay in the Sound Of Mull. So all in all it was a great opportunity, so seven of us from Coatbridge Sub-Aqua Club headed there at the start of October (2011).

We arrived in Carrigart - a beautiful small town located on the North Coast of Donegal, close to Sheephaven and Loch Swilley, about 4pm on the Friday. Since we had two full days on the boat ahead of us, we decided we'd just do a shore dive that evening at nearby Cranford Pier. The pier is situated on an inlet of water, like many of the Scottish sea lochs, although it's still classed as the Irish Sea/Atlantic Ocean. It's well protected and allowed us a chance to check and try out our kit.

There are two dredger wrecks sitting in 11 metres of water directly in front of the pier, and although mainly a sandy bottom, we still managed to spot a good-sized skate or two. (This did lead to some jovial debate about whether it was a skate or stingray - but wee Joe Woods should have learned by now that he's always wrong anyway).

After a few pints of the Black Stuff and dinner later that night, we were all-set for Saturday's diving. The plan was to do two scenic dives on the Saturday - 'The Fingers' and 'The Staggs' at Hornhead, and two wrecks - 'SS Kalliopis' and 'SV Gaelic' on Sunday. Fortunately the weather held for us on both days.

The two scenic dives were excellent. The water temperature was 14 degrees and the viz was around 10 metres and the sea was pretty calm. So conditions made for two great dives.

The first dive, a series of canyons in the rock which stretch out from the cliff face are referred to as 'The Fingers' because of their obvious resemblance. My buddy Derek from Dublin and I took-in a maximum depth of 25m. There's also an additional feature to this dive - a vertical cave like a chimney which opens out at 18 metres. Smugly enough, only Derek and I managed to find it, which of course we had to milk considerably for our benefit to the rest of the group.

'The Staggs' were equally an impressive dive featuring a series of pinnacles from 20m to the surface. Due to the continual current through 'The Staggs', which we managed to hit at the right time, the surfaces are teaming with life including lobsters and common spotted dogfish. Unfortunately we never caught sight of their bigger cousins, those Baskings frequently sighted in these waters.

On Sunday, the plan was to dive the wreck of the SV Gaelic at the foot of Frenchman's Rock at a depth of 23-30m at Melmore Head. However, despite it being sunny and dry, the swell was particularly high and putting us in and out of the water would have been precarious. So we headed to the second dive site, SS Kalliopis. This was a vessel of Greek origin on its way to London with a cargo of grain. It sunk after being torpedoed by a U-Boat and catching fire. It is pretty much broken-up and lies in 25 metres of water. But the boilers and funnels are pretty much intact and the sea bed is spread with lots of debris including crockery and a large part of the main deckway.

Due to the swell, we were still unable to dive the SV Gaelic, so headed for the southeast side of Melmore Head, where the cliffs create a natural bay providing some shelter from stronger tides. The depth ranges from 10-30m here and is mainly a sandy bed. There's a wreck of a fishing boat here and lots of pollock which were obviously a favoured catch for the many sea-anglers scattered along the clifftops.

So how would I sum Donegal up? Fantastic. There's an abundance of wrecks which we never got the chance to do this trip, including a White Star ocean liner the 'SS Laurentic' and a great many scenic and drift dives. So would we return? Each one of us was in no doubt this won't be our last trip to Donegal. The warm Irish welcome and the craic alone would have made it all worthwhile.

For more information got to: Mevagh Dive Centre

The Darkness Below

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 09:35:00 +0000

Even the name of Rod MacDonald's latest book has the air of a thriller novel; and if you're a dive junkie like me, then that's exactly what it is.

Although I'm not a techy, I love wreck diving within my limits and like many other devotees, I've made pilgrimages to dive wrecks in Scapa Flow, the Sound of Mull, the North Atlantic and a few more exotic locations around the globe.

And that's the real thriller of `The Darkness Below'. Rod not only reveals the facts of lesser known and enduringly fascinating wrecks in locations I'm familiar with, he goes even further; exposing the history of other maritime classics I would never have known about. That's why this book is so different.

Like many other commentators, Rod could have chosen the easy path and concentrated on the more commonly known wrecks. But he'd just have been delivering re-hashed information presented from his perspective. Because Rod refuses to do that, it's what makes `The Darkness Below' a refreshingly great read.

The book itself is excellently arranged. The many illustrations combined with Rod's in-depth descriptions and the wealth of both historical and anecdotal information doesn't leave the reader wanting.

Often I'll read a book on wrecks only to find myself disappointingly asking very obvious questions due to the lack of basic information. You won't find that in `The Darkness Below'. It challenges and pulverises the senses with information. It truly is an excellent and informative read and a book you'll find yourself returning to repeatedly for another fix.

If I could sum it all up, I'd say for me `The Darkness Below' is like a fusion of the most exciting presentations I've watched on National Geographic or Discovery; and reminiscent of the pioneering explorations of Cousteau. And as the opening chapter acknowledges: the late great Monsieur Cousteau may have been your idol Rod, but you're equally trail-blazing an awe-inspiring path yourself.

You can find further information on 'The Darkness Below' by Rod MacDonald at: Amazon Books

50m Dive with 15min Deco on Air

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:30:00 +0000

What a blast! Literally.

Yesterday (2nd July 2011) I had the pleasure of experiencing (and it is SOME experience) of diving to 50m for a bottom time of 6minutes and deco of 15minutes at Cumbrae on perhaps one of the best diving days of our limited summer period.

Organised by DemonDave (who now goes by the epithet of "Narked-at-Nothing" ) eventually only 6 of us managed to take part, which permitted more room for us all in the already capacious chamber.

Ah, did I not mention this was a Chamber Dive?

I should also mention, with gratitude, that whilst Dave organised it, Ross Goldie, owner of Seren Las the latest Clyde dive/charter boat, sponsored this "dive" to the full amount. Many thanks for that Ross.

On arrival, three of us who got there early, we met Ross at the Marine Station's pier for a tour of the boat. An ice, tidy and well found boat it is too, complete with a diver lift! Looking forward to repaying Ross' generosity later and taking a few dives from the Seren Lass.

Our allotted time, 10am, approached and after waiting for the stragglers (coming by various means, the Inverclyde rib and Hughie in his van) we were introduced to the Pot by Phil (Diverrepair on the forums ) who runs the treatment facility with his crew.

All loose metallic items, mobile phones, catalytic hand warmers (if you had any...) and, since this is a medical facility, our outdoor shoes were left outside the Pot tho' we were allowed to take in our diving cameras and dive computers (tho' Dave forgot his camera...aargh! Narked at Nothing ! ).

A bucket of water, to activate some of the computers, was also taken in but with the proviso that, if anyone, due to narcosis, were to think it funny to chuck it over us in the pot, THEY would be mopping up afterwards...

The chamber is large and roomy, with two access doors and includes a re-entry/exit section to the rear and a medical access port. Windows all around, lights, sound equipment and recording video cameras.

Once the door shuts and everyone is asked if they're feeling fine the air is rushed in.

To 6 metres or so first and even to this depth your have to pretty much constantly clear your ears, far more frequently than in a normal water dive.

Another check and then down to 30m. Wow! Far more ear clearing...it seems like we're going down really fast, but as we found later, the descent was only a 8m/minute! It felt a lot faster than that, and, due to the physics of gas compression, it also got very warm as we descended (if only it were that way in water diving).

Now, as we descended past 30m we started to hear our voices change, as if we were on Helium. Narked at Nothing said he thought we, Hughie and me, were putting it on, til he tried to tell us so... then everyone started the chatter.

Stew Russell had suggested we try to whistle as we got past 30m. He's right, it's impossible, but so funny (narcosis?) trying.

6minutes at 50m, in the peace and quiet since there's no air being blown in, flew by prompting Dave (N-a-N) to say he didn't think it was that long (see Dave, narked?)

Hughie was videoing the whole time (getting some good stuff I hope) and as we began our "ascent" I crushed the plastic bottle I'd brought in and popped the lid on. Hugh filmed this at various stages of our ascent, getting closer to the object as the quite severe misting (and sudden coldness) that occurs on ascent meant we could hardly see one another even across the small room.

Not much happened in respect of "re-inflation" on the ascent (as you'd expect) til we got to the 15-10m mark where the pressure differentials have their largest effect and the bottle came back to nearly full size with just a couple of dents left.

Since this was a Deco dive, we halted (with perfect buoyancy, BSAC Gold Star Rating ;) ) at 6m for 5mins then again at 3m, this time for 10mins then came to the "surface" where the bottle finally re-gained it's full shape.

As the door swung open (it's nice to see that they can ONLY be opened from the outside!) the temperature had equalised and we all filed out to line up alongside the Pot for some Post Pressure physiological checks (a nice, necessary touch).

In all we were down for 26min, and when asked if we had felt the Narcosis, only one person (Phil said there'd be one...) said he hadn't felt anything change, but then Dave did add that he feels Narked at The Surface anyway...hence his new name of Narked-at-Nothing

Phil then gave a most interesting presentation, with some scary anecdotes (which I'll leave for him to tell) about the system, processes and treatment of all DCI's.

All in all a very nice way to spend a morning, and it's very nice to see the dedication and professionalism of the team in action, even tho' this was just a "jolly"!

At only £25 per head (don't be conned by certain others who charge £45/person and pocket the difference) this experience is not to be missed, tho' it has to be said, it goes nowhere towards the actual money required annually to running the Pot at Cumbrae (some £180,000 was quoted) but every little counts!

Paradoxically, Phil commented that since the pot was not seeing so many divers lately, the cost implications for keeping it running were becoming difficult and they might have to re-evaluate the pricing of their services to the Scottish NHS in future.

I asked whether the reduction in casualties was due to better training etc, but the reply was, "No, there are simply fewer divers diving our waters...", as the divers numbers decline, so do the incidents, it appears.

I made the comment that since Britain's Secret Seas airing and the sudden influx of new divers to all agencies, that next year (when the newbies start venturing out on their own) things might change. (Let's hope not, in the case of chamber use at least )

Dive Tramp

A Day Trip (for a change) to Loch Linnhe, Feb 27-2-11

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:25:00 +0000

Two very nice dives were had in Loch Linnhe on Sunday. For a change, it was just a fleeting single day's visit (which meant getting up way too early on a day off... :wink: ). Marion wanted something special to mark her 500th dive (since she missed out so memorably a couple of weeks ago at Sunart...) so we (Chris P and I) took her to Loch Linnhe.

Ha! That's not special I can hear you all saying! Well, it is when you consider it was her first time diving this particular site AND she got to see and snap Flameshells for the very first time too.

A gentle entry into the water afforded by the rock cleared "slipway" and down into 3-4m before descending into deeper and quicker current (which wanted to take us to Fort William) til around about 15-18m when the current naturally eased off (isn't topography wonderful for creating these "anomallies"?) and down over the Flameshell bed and all those associated Brittlestars. M got a cracking shot of a small dogfish, then on our return from 31m we came across a large Dragonet in all it's resplendant iridescence, shining like a "Why dontcha come up and see me sometime..." beacon with his mating colours.

Ooh, there was one further wee surprise on our ascent, a small simply carved wooden box was lying on the seabed with it's screwed down lid split open. Do you need to ask what it was? Someone's dear departed's ashes... the poly bag inside had been cut open by the little critturs and was now allowing these ashes to gently release into the waters of the Linnhe. Touching!

31m for 35min or so, 7 degree water temp.

A surface interval "marred" only by the sound of the compressor re-filling our tanks in the glorious sunshine and virtually nil wind as we brewed up the teas and coffees, then it was off down the loch to the next site. Another first for Marion, tho' Chris had done it only once and I had done it a few times. This one has a bit of a clamber to get down to the rocks below but it's easy really, once you put a rope around one of the trees.

A nice step off into crystal clear water (at the surface) and we're now faced with getting Marion under the water in her brand new Buddy Commando (swapped kit round during lunch). We had added weights already to the harness but found we needed to add a few (4.3kg) granite rocks to the huge pockets Commandos sport, just to ensure there were no free ascents when on our return. This was a shallower bimble to 15m or so along the lochside for about a quarter of a mile then the return journey in the 7-8m range on the way back using the surface water eddy currents to bring us to the entry point again and so that M could grab hold of the boulders should she feel light as the air went down. No such troubles were encountered even as she got to 55bar in the 7m shallows as the 60min mark came up... Some really huge Archidoris Pseudoargus (Sea Lemons) are kicking about here in the shallows, getting ready for the spawning season no doubt.

Lots of Decorator Crabs, a solitary, tiny Angular Crab

and loads of Edible crabs and the usual other stuff were seen in the sometimes milky 4-5m viz (at 15m) but the viz was easily 8-10 in the shallows. Strangely, my two companions said they felt warmer on the second dive than the first, but then that could be down to the fact neither of them had been diving since Loch Sunart in the first week of January.

15m for 60min, 6-7 degrees water temp. Beautiful Winter's Day in the sun!

A nice day out in great weather and great company.

Big Tony's Open Water Course, Red Sea Jan 2011

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 16:15:00 +0000

I was accompanied on my trip last week by one Tony Brown an East End Geezer from Bethnal Green (Kray Twins Manor), so he keeps incessantly reminding me. However, I prefer to refer to him as a Southern Softie, which is closer to the reality.

Anyway prior to the trip, BigT expressed that he had no desire to even as much as paddle in the same sea where a number of recent shark attacks had taken place. After all we were staying in the Coral Bay area of Sharm El Sheikh, where two unfortunate snorkelers were savaged by what is believed to have been an Oceanic White Tip some 3 weeks before we arrived.

Regardless; after repeated challenges concerning this Cockney’s apparent bravery, (or lack of), not to mention a few historic reminders of how us souls north of the border have on occasion historically ‘Sent him homeward tae think again’, BigT took the bait and submitted to a tri-dive.

Off the end of the floating jetty he went for his first ever dive to 8 metres, and after 25 thrilling minutes, decided that no man-eating shark was going to keep him from completing the Open Water course whilst he was in Sharm.

So for the next week BigT has watched, studied, demonstrated, assembled and de-assembled kit and dived. Despite a severe dose of Pharaoh’s revenge which set him back a couple days, he successfully completed the Open Water course and recorded his first 5 dives in his logbook. Which I bought for him incidentally…..

So the big fella has now joined that fold of diving enthusiasts the world over and vows that he’ll continue in the manner in which he started. So good luck to him and I hope he makes many safe and happy dives in the future.

Those of you, who know me personally, have probably observed that there may have been an alternative motive on my part. As BigT has been a good mate of over 20 years and both he and I frequently holiday together with wives in tow; I have now provided him a means to escape our respective spouses’ poolside chitter-chatter. Now we can both take-off and find the nearest dive centre to give our tortured ears some well-earned rest. Thank the Almighty mobile phones don’t work under the water.

The next trip abroad is presently in the planning; meantime my aim is to persuade him to undertake a drysuit course. Then on his frequent visits north, I can introduce him to a Scotland he hasn’t seen before. I’m sure he’ll thank me one day!

Mid December Wild Camp and Dive Trip 2010

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:40:00 +0000

It'd been a few weeks since I'd gotten wet (diving) due to a sudden rush of riverwork landing my way. That could only mean one thing... this wasn't going to be just a fleeting weekend visit to the west.

However, it was Friday morning before I could head off to the west (I had hoped to leave on Thursday but nevermind). Lindsay (Artist1066) arrived onsite minutes after my arrival and helped me with setting up the camp. Then it was straight off to the Telephone Exchange site on Loch Linnhe for the first dive of the weekend.

Viz was no where near as good as I had expected, at around 5m viz, but still bright below the haze of light shining thro the very fine silty layer that hung around at 8m or so. As you know, it doesn't rain on my dive days...and again, the sun was was shining brightly enough in the still crisp sky.

The main reef (from 8m to 15m) holds a good range of sealife, mainly Congers hiding out in the cracks and fissures in the rock, Thornback Rays and the usual small stuff including the tiny Pink Shrimp skittering about and it's a wise move to scan the base then fin left and right along the reef wall at all levels to get the most out of the neuks and crannies of the outcrop. If you're diving at HW then you could head straight for the shore to checkout the shore rocks where smaller rocks have carved out wonderful, smooth hollows in the bedrock. They really are quite stunning in the bright shallow sunlight. Then, back to your entry point which will now be to your left, looking at the rocks from the water.

Back to the campsite for dinner, before it gets too dark to see, and to fire up the logburner. This is it's first time out and what a heat it chucks out! Woohoo, we had to leave the tent door open! Lindsay departed for Oban after dinner as she didn't have her "hot water bottle" (her daughter, Erin) with her so it was the rufty tufty Youth Hostel for her... and, of course, it meant she could get her fill of Nitrox from Puffin.

After a great, warm night's kip, it was great to wake to the crisp, fresh and bright morning as the pics will show.

Marion will be arriving later, so we stayed fairly local (Bonawe Quarry Harbour) and dived the Hummingbird, a small wreck of a wooden fishing boat of about 30', sitting upright and fully intact (minus it's propeller ;) ) in only 15m and usually excellent viz.

After mooching about the wreck for a short while I guided Lindsay to the far side of the harbour to the manmade/augmented harbour side consisting of huge, car sized boulders from the quarry thrown into the water creating huge cavernous openings in the wall sides. Unfortunately these are a bit small for penetrating (as there's no turning around possible) but they do offer some good hiding places for the resident Pouting and Poor Cod and in the summer months there's a veritable city of nudibranchs residing there too, munching on the hydroids and depositing their egg trails on their leftovers... (but alas, not in the winter).

It's a long, tho shallow swim (16m max) and easily navgated when you stay close to the natural harbour wall on your right as you head out to the entrance (and on your left on the return) but do watch your air. No problem if you have to ascend early (as I did, due to too many extra layers and not enough lead being added to the belt... :Blush: ), but it does mean a long surface swim to the entry point. If needed, you can escape on the manmade side of the harbour but they are BIG rocks and difficult to clamber over.

Marion arrived just as we reached the cars so it was back to camp for lunch.

The afternoon was yet another new site for Lindsay (the first two were also new and, I hope, interesting for her), to see the Serpulid worm reefs that only exist in two locations in the world (both in Scotland), here in Loch Creran and also in a small loch attached to Loch Sunart (can't recall it's name).

I'm not giving out the exact location of this site as it's a SSSI and the site I dive (and guided the BBC Oceans UK filmcrew to) has the largest and most impressive of these rare features. They are incredibly fragile and it doesn't take too much to collapse the reefs down to mush, as you'll perhaps see in the program when it comes out in the Spring. Indeed, in some cases the reefs can't hold their own mass and simply collapse under their own weight. Indiscriminate and illegal dumping of human household refuse into this area doesn't help either, as you may see.

Time for some pics...

The campsite on Loch Etive

Bonawe Quarry

Serplid Worm colony

Spidercrab on a mooring line

The Washing Machine...aka Fifeness

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 22:45:00 +0000

I had a dip at the Washing Machine on Sunday. One of my buddies phoned up to tell me she had bought herself a new drysuit and wanted to carryout a weight check. Ok, Elie is a bit far and a bit shallow at LW anyway, so we tried Fifeness. Not a site I like,for many reasons (tho' it does have a few, distant fond memories of my Father diving there when I was 8), but it's close(ish).

Neap tides ought not to have too much effect on the water flow, but on this occasion the wind was conspiring against us coming out of the North/North East creating some rather lovely breakers almost as far in as the natural harbour that, at High Tide, affords enough water to carryout weight checks. Pah, with my buddy having full twin 7's we thought we'd at least try to have a full dive then vent off to 50bar on our return to shore for the check.

Well, when we got back home... we had some Pea Soup (Pea and Ham actually) and it seemed remarkably similar in clarity to where we'd just been!

Jings, swimming out on the surface for a short distance, finning with the retreating waves/surge we descended when I could no longer see the bottom, only to find ourselves in just 2.2m. "Ah well, good job the compass works since I can't see a bleedin' thing down here". Finning thro, round, between and over the thick kelp desperately straining to find the open sandy water that should be here I had to frequently check the compass for direction (just to make sure, as there was no way of determining direction from the oft disappearing seabed) and finding only 6.5m depth I finally, after 9min of this pointless finning, going nowhere fast, I let go my buddy's hand to gesture that I was going to can the dive. I think she was quite happy with that decision...

Hmm, finning back in to shore we found the wave motion effectively spitting us out of the water as it surged up and over the rock strewn bottom so we surfaced and once again finned with the surges and rested (not too much as of course this tide was still ebbing, holding us back from our goal of the shore...). It was only 200m or so but felt so much further. Good job it wasn't a full dive, I'd have been knackered finning that distance.

No chance (or water) for a weight check on this "dive", but she'll have plenty chances to do so on her next trip out (Oban with NE Dive) this weekend.

I took just one picture on this dive, on the surface as we gained the shore. Don't be fooled, the little, sheltered harbour makes it look like a millpond. I can tell you it wasn't, but it was fun tho'...

Wrecks And Reefs Of Southeast Scotland by Mike Clark

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:15:00 +0000

If I’m not diving, the next best thing for me is reading about diving and today provided just that opportunity. I should have been at Loch Linnhe with my buddy Jim doing Kentallen Wall. However a dreadfully heavy cold, (which my wife insists in mere man flu, she really doesn’t understand), restricted all ambitions of diving over the next few days. Nevertheless, a copy of Mike Clark’s new book, ‘Wrecks And Reefs Of Southeast Scotland’ arrived through my letterbox yesterday, so I sat down coffee in hand and absorbed it cover to cover.

The first thing I noticed about Mike’s book is that it delivers exactly what the name says. It’s absent of flowery language which other writers frequently use only to pad out a topic, yet it still provides in-depth information; but most importantly from a diver’s perspective.

Yes I want to know details about the history of a wreck, the marine life on a reef and the topography, but I don’t want to read all that, only to discover at the end of an article that there’s little or no information about how to get there; tides; coordinates; type of dive; skill level; entry points; dive centres; parking and amenities. Fortunately Mike’s book delivers all that. It really has a fresh perspective. It not only provides updated information on many well known sites, it also includes information on numerous other locations, which are not commonly known to divers unfamiliar with that coastal area. So for a West Coaster like me, this book really delivers.

At least a couple of times a year some buddies and I will charter a boat either from Burntisland, Dunbar, Eyemouth, or St. Abbs. We usually stick to the main dives including Bass Rock, Craig Leith, Isle of May, Weasel Loch and the Campania. But in truth that’s only because these are the main locations of which we have any real knowledge. ‘Wrecks And Reefs Of Southeast Scotland’ definitely expands that knowledge.

What I particularly like about this book is the number of shore dives covered. As someone who frequently dives mid-week, it’s not always practical to charter a boat or journey with a rhib, (especially if I’ve to return for the school run). The inclusion of these many great shore dives, which are less than a couple of hours drive from Glasgow, have significantly added to the alternatives in my locker.

Anyway, getting back specifically to the book. Mike is foremost known as one of the UK’s leading dive photographers, and gratefully this does not escape ‘Wrecks And Reefs’. Each of the 100 dives featured is accompanied by a picture taken by Mike and all of these illustrations clearly underline the book’s expectations. What I like about Mike’s photographs is that they are cleverly brilliant but never contrived. They manage to highlight in a ‘matter of fact’ manner what a diver is likely to see, (with a little patience and Scottish weather permitting).

But the big bonus about Mike’s book is that it combines as both a reference and guide. I have numerous books on dive sites along the Scottish Coast, but generally, these concentrate on the history and topography. They are great as a reference, but more often than not fall short and I have to look elsewhere for information on how to actually get there, where I can charter a boat, what the diver requirements are, etc., etc. And this is what makes ‘Wrecks and Reefs of Southeast Scotland’ stand out.

It really is a book you can throw in your dry bag and take with you with the confidence that you can actually rely upon it like any other integral piece of your dive kit.

You can get further information on 'Wrecks And Reefs Of Southeast Scotland' by Mike Clark at Mike's Dive Blog.

Ibiza Diving October 2010

Sat, 30 Oct 2010 18:25:00 +0000

Just returned from a week in Ibiza, diving with Puntadive http://www.puntadive.com/ in Es Canar.

Big Nick the Aussie (one of the owners) had agreed to my daughter doing her OW referral dives there & I was just diving to buddy up with her.

Weather was a pleasant 20 - 23 degrees all week, water temp was 20 degrees with about 25m viz!

I dived in a 3mm shorty which was maybe a touch stupid, a 5mm long would have been a sensible choice, there was a light breeze between dives which were a bit chilly.

Boat was a 2x200hp 12m rib, the second day we had all to ourselves.

The diving was much better than I was expecting, seen loads of Barracuda, plenty of Moray Eels (big & small) plus quite a few octopus once I new how to find them. My daughter found a tiny pink nudibrach, the photo on my prune like hand doesn't do it justice.

My daughter passed her OW no problem, thanks to Dave & Scott the instructors & to Jason (co-owner) who took us into a cave on the last dive. Can't belive we are back home in 8 degrees.

Would recommend Puntadive, pretty chilled out guys & only 2hrs 45mins from Prestwick.

Diving in Gran Canaria with Puerto rico Diving centre

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 13:25:00 +0000

Ive recently Returned from a trip to Gran Canaria

although often overlooked as a dive destination it was really amazing, The volcanic topography draws in a diverse array of marine life from Turtles to Angel sharks in the south occasional Mantas in the north, and brilliant weather year round,

I dived with Kevin and Nina at Puerto rico Diving centre www.prdiving.com who offer amazing value dive packages and specilise in small groups for an amazing experience (these guys really go the extra mile to make your trip pain free)

The first dive of my trip was to the islands marine reserve of Arinaga at a site called El Cabron which translated into English means The Ba*%$£d , this must be drescribing the entry and exit point,with a maximum depth of 21mtrs and dive time of 50 mins, after decending into the blue we dived along a steep wall where there was huge sholes of fish, tiger morays, trumpet fish and atlantic Stingrays, we had a triggerfish attacking the lens of Kevins torch for a good half hour on the dive.

Second dive was at same place but instead of heading along the wall we turned right and followed a smaller outcrop around to a seahorse net and huge cave at 22 mtrs, on exiting the cave we came across a massive shoel of roncadorus and barracuda before accending up to 6 mtrs for the swim back to the exit point, on our saftey stop there was morays octopus and plenty of cuttle fish,

Next few dives was in Amadores bay and wall with Nina with a maximum depth of 14 mtrs and a time of 65 and 35 mins we were trying to photograph the juvinile angel sharks that congregate there in the sandy bay area, As luck would have it they were hiding the day we had the camera handy, so insted we had great interaction with a few octopus which resulted in some amazing photographs,

Following those dives we were out on the Atlantis which is the only luxury hardboat on the island www.lgdiving.com to dive the sites of arguiniguin reef and the Russian hydrofoil at El Pahar, Arguiniguin reef runs paralel to the shoreline and is rocky with plenty of overhangs and nooks n crannys to get in about and is subject to some strong currents so makes a great drift dive, again plenty of life and to my amazment there were 2 large turtles sleeping under part of the reef with a maximum depth of 16 mtrs the opportunity for long bottom dimes is there. Next was the Russian hydrofoil at El Pahar which is sitting in 16 mtrs. I last dived this about 4 years ago when it was intact but due to the geographic location of this wreck and being shallow, it has sadly disintegrated, on the plus side it has opened up a whole lot of space for new life to grow on it I found 6 or 7 Octopus hiding amongst all the scrap with shoels of Sardines,Roncadorus, and Barracuda circling the wreckage it was an amazing last dive,

This really is a top dive destination with plenty more dive sites to offer and on 5hrs from UK

www.prdiving.com www.lgdiving.com

triple reef 2 gortein point,loch Fyne

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 21:10:00 +0000

the other sunday there a few of us coatbridge ssac had a couple of great dives ,instead of the usual haunts we decided 2 do something a little different,so we drove 2 triple reef and entered the water there down the wee track from the road,and with a slight drift made our way towards gortein point,myself and funky forraging for some scallops en route!!!!!

wee robert and jim mac were dive buddies and malkie was doing shore cover/taxi'ing cars from 1 site 2 the other!

great dive staying shallow with a max depth of 14m,

shoals of pollack with the odd cod below them plenty of plant life,and of course scallops,

i was wondering why funky was missing scallops just 2m away from him ,then on our surface int he let me into the secret,he didn't want 2 drag a goody bag for the whole dive! another lesson learned that day for me!

also got a huge edible crab,BUT unknown to me jim mac and robert had caught up with us and were veiwing me wrestling with the cram trying 2 get it into my goody bag,awaiting 2 give me a round of applause.But turned the other way 2 catch back up with funky,SO!!!!! the best way jim thought 2 get my attention was to grab my arm,sort of the way a huge conger or big seal would!!" well thats what went through my mind"" so once i replaced my D/V after swearing it out and nearly following through in my dry suit,the aplause was in the form of underwater laughter!

great dive though,would recomend it, distance by road from site 2 site is 3/4 of a mile,about 70mins meandering along.

2nd dive was from gortein point round 2 gortein bay,another bright shallow dive with plenty of life and lots 2 see,unfortunately no one had a camera but will take it the next time i do it,1 area has been named the garden and well named it is,the plant life and anemons soft coral is awesome,

so look out for the pic's getting posted!

Hard Hat Diving - Mevagissey 6-8th August 10

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:45:00 +0000

On the friday morning at 11.30 I began the long journey down to Pentewan , Cornwall where I would be staying for the weekend arriving at Pentewan village at 18.30pm very tired but looking forward to good weekend's diving .

I checked in at Sal diving centre who were running the hard hat course I booked two years earlier but circumstances prevented me from completing it earlier .

Afterwards I check in at my accomodation before seeking some food and drink before resting up before an 11am start on the Saturday.

On Saturday morning I arose early as I was excited about diving in old fashioned navy hard hat diving equipment later that day.

Meeting up with Sal my instructor I watched a video and completed the paperwork before making my way down to Mevagissey harbour where my first dive would take place.

Arriving at Mevagissey harbour I was taken back by how beautiful cornwall is but then it was my first trip. Sal gave me an participant tour of the equipment and explained what we would be doing.

I was diving second so I helped Sal put the equipment together with help from Bill and few willing helpers and then we carried the safety checks for the dive could take place . Everyone was taking pictures and asking questions I felt like a celebrity put the equipment together and had my picture taken a few times .

Dress the diver was a different dive experience and normally you do it yourself but this is not possible so you have to help them put on the heavy and stiff suit which is 70 years old and gets much heavier when wet ... just doing this builds up a sweat!

Then adding the other equipment : knife , weights , breast plate before finally putting on the helmet before the obligatory photograph . Finally the diver standing wearing 15 stone of equipment plus their own weight then helping them to the water before they slowly descend into the deep.

Roughly twenty minutes later or so the diver came out and then it was my time to dive. I was really excited although slightly nervous ....

Now it was my term to be man-handled into this suit and it was a hot day I was sweating before I even been diving then slowly I made my way to the water before making my descent although it was weird diving without my regulator , mask and dive computer.

Slowly I walked along lending forward slightly to balance the weight although I was breathing quite hard throughout the dive . After 15 minutes dive time I slowly made my way out up the steps back to the harbour side for more pics by the spectators ..and sat down and realised I had dived the way the navy used to dive upto until 1990!

After a hard days diving I went with friends and went to the pub for a drink to celebrate and some food and some hours later it was time to return to the B&B.

Sunday morning I was able to relax as I wasn't diving until the afternoon so had time to explore and chill out on Pentewan beach . After lunch I had to be at Sal Dive , Pentewan for the second and final briefing before my dive later that afternoon at high tide at 5pm . Once we arrived at the harbour I had to set up the equipment under supervision before carrying out the safety checks and then dressing the diver before sending them on their way. Then I was on the intercom talking with the diver which is a strange to do when diving ...before moving onto dealing with the air line and monitoring where the diver was by looking for the bubbles and watching the line move along the sea bed . After thirty minutes the guys hand pumping the air were looking on their last legs so we told the diver who came up to clapping and more pics. Now it was my turn I was doing the specialty course padi standard orientation which I had to complete to pass the challenge . Sal briefed my task to put a flange together with nuts and bolts in the shortest time possible although the dive time was estimated at 30minutes min.

Slowly I made my way to the water weighing at 28 stone and looking forward to getting into the water and getting down to diving .

Slowly I walked although walkway before jumping off and slowly making my way down to the sea bed five metres below.

Walking around this time was much easier as I gotten use to the weight on the first dive the previous day . After ten minutes exploration it was time for the task slowly I made my way to the harbour side and awaiting my task being lowered into the water inside a sealed bag to make it harder whilst talking with the guys top side and hearing the air bellowing into my helmet and watching my language as I was loud speaker .

Sal told me your time starts once you open the bag but I was standing up so that meant getting down but how to do this ... simple fall down its the simpliest way .. i was glad no one had pics i can imagine people would have been killing themselves on seeing them on facebook. So I emptied out the bag and slowly started to work in a logical order which isn't easy when you feel like your cooking but I worked hard and completed my task only swore once ...before the feeling I have done .. I have completed a life's dream finally . Once my task was done I had to make my way back to a ladder and rest as I was really knackered at that point before learning the hard of ladder bouncing but that's another story . Once I reached the top the ladder I slowly made my way up the steps before dressing and having a large soft drink to celebrate . I cannot thank the guys and gals at the centre for their support and encouragement . I enjoyed myself so much I am going back to dive with them in October but on the modern stuff this time .

The Wreck of the Paris II

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:40:00 +0000

What a great wee wreck! The SS Paris II was a French cargo ship utilised by the French Navy during WWI. It lies not far from the shore near Kemer in south west Turkey on the Mediterranean side. This area is known as the Turkish Riviera and it's not hard to see why. The beachfront is adorned with 5 star hotels most equipped with exclusive golf courses, whilst the beautiful green sea is populated with sailing boats, jet skis, catamarans and pleasure cruisers; a real summer paradise.

The dive boat a converted fishing dhow, was operated by a local company and comprised mainly of day-trippers doing some snorkelling or an introduction to scuba. There were only 6 divers so it meant we would get the Paris to ourselves. That was a bonus although, it's noteworthy that divers are a secondary income, most of the efforts are concentrated on the snorkelers and tri-divers, with the company flogging them souvenir DVD's at the end of the trip. Still the food was OK and we got a fairly decent pre-dive briefing.

The wreck itself sits on a level keel and the deck is reached at 30 metres. There's a shotline fixed at the stern, which affords an easy decent. Although the guns have been removed there's still gun turrets on the fore and aft deck and you can penetrate the hull from the main deck which has worn away to the metal structure. It's only 65 metres long, so you can easily explore the full wreck and still have plenty air left. The viz though was only about 5 metres max. There wasn't much current, but there was still a lot of floating sand, so I imagine that this was the norm. However you can still clearly read out the name which makes for a good photograph.

Anyway, marks out of 10 – I'd give it a 7. Although small, it's a wreck with a whole lot of character. I felt a real affection for her and would relish the opportunity of doing it again. If you're ever in the Antalya region, make a point of diving this wreck. You won't be disappointed.

Below is an account of the sinking.

Commanded by Captain Rollin, the Paris II was attached during World War I to the Syria 7th Cavalry Company. Its mission was to patrol in coordination with the Alexandria and prevent the Turks from refuelling German submarines between Marmaris and Anamur. On December 13, 1917, the Paris II and the Alexandria, maintaining the distance that separated them, were cruising off Cape Agva. To the east, lighters from Antalya were casting anchor in a bay of the same name.

Suddenly the Paris II lookout signalled that he had spied a lighter in the bay. What happened next was told by Captain Rollin as follows:

"When we reached the north-western entrance to the harbour I gave the order to lower the boat with the purpose of capturing the lighter. As the boat headed toward the vessel it directed machinegun fire at the shore.

At 11:25, just as the boat reached the vessel, there came a fearful explosion on the starboard side of the bridge. One of the bombs exploded in the coal hold. This was followed by a rain of bombs, rifle and machinegun bullets.

The first two enemy shots had taken out the radio and the 75 calibre guns on both sides, so only the 100 calibre gun at the bow was in use. The shell that hit the command centre split it in two.

Trying to reach the tip of the cape, I turned the rudder to starboard but noticed that we were heading in the port direction. When the munitions dump in the stern exploded, fragments of metal flew through the air and the rudder locked up completely.

The damage was great and enemy fire continued as a fire raged. Because the rudder was locked the ship described a circle in the water. All our guns were out of action, so we couldn't defend ourselves, and the stern of the Paris II was slowly sinking.

The crew, almost all of them wounded, were waiting for the captain's order to abandon ship, and all I could do was to assist in saving them. I gave the command: 'Everyone jump in the water.

Further Information on the Paris II

Capernwray

Sun, 23 May 2010 08:15:00 +0000

It's been a while since I've posted as you may have noticed. However after a period of prolonged hibernation, I hope I can find the time to contribute over the next year.

Despite being particularly busy over the last few months, I've still managed to get some good dives in. In January Jim Mac and I drove down to Capernwray, (also known as Jackdaw Quarry) in Kennet. It's just over a 2 hour drive from Glasgow down the M6 into Lancashire and not far off the motorway.

Capernwray is a great set-up with a dive shop, parking, air fills, licensed restaurant, toilets and changing facilities. It was a Tuesday and we virtually had the place to ourselves except for ROV training which was taking place.

On the first dive we managed to do 'The African Queen', a small plane and one of the helicopters. However it wasn't without incident. Both Jim and I use Scubapro regs and almost simultaneously both of us began to freeflow about 20 minutes into the dive. We surfaced and after some adjustment we carried on for another 25 minutes. The viz was about 10-12 metres and the water temperature was 4 degrees.

During the surface interval we had some lunch in the restaurant before kitting-up for our second dive. On the second dive we were piloted by trout and perch and we also saw some large solitary sturgeons and pike. I also noticed the thousands of fresh water mussels attached to every surface. During the second dive we did 'The Cave' and 'Gypsy Moth' before heading for 'Shergar' and 'Lord Lucan'.

The water temperature had dropped to 3 degrees and the viz had zeroed to about 2 to 3 metres. The water had began to go a kind of cloudy. It reminded me of wallpaper paste when mixed with water. I didn't realise at the time, but that was ice starting to form. Despite being only a few metres apart, Jim and I both lost each other on our second visit to the 'Gypsy Moth' on account of the failing viz. As I began to fin in his direction the inevitable happened. With the freezing water temperature my regs had started to freeflow again. I successfully made it to the shore and met-up with Jim, only to discover he had suffered the same fate.

So on the drive home we discussed changing our regs to something more suitable to cold water. Jim has changed to Apex. However it's still on my 'to do' list. Despite the freeflow incidents, (which actually provided a good opportunity to put our training into practice), both of us had a great couple of dives and will definitely make a point of returning. Unfortunately for us the 70ft Hawker Siddeley 748 passenger plane hadn't been submerged and was still on land being prepared. But hey! That's just one good reason to return.