Swanage October 2009

Friday 9th October

Well, what can I say about Friday's dives? A washout comes to mind. The waves were crashing over the sea wall and the visibility was about the same as porridge! I have put a couple of pictures of our briefings and debriefings here.

Saturday 10th October

9.00am - The first shore dive by the pier. Most people found that the salt content had risen and were pilling rocks into their pockets to get down. Kathy came up beaming and enthusiastic after Pete had found "enough shrimp to make a cocktail". Others were less enamoured about the first sea dive, but as we know perseverance is what UK diving is all about. C'mon boys, lets get you back in for more!!

11.30am - More pier diving, more shrimps and crabs and the vis was picking up.

13.30 -The Clan Mcvey was an armed British merchant steamship, measuring 400 ft long with a 53ft beam. Sunk by a German submarine in August 1918, she lies virtually upright, sunk into the soft sand almost up to her deck, at a depth of 18m and rising up by 4m from the sea bed.

15.30ish - A drift that escapes my memory, much surge and kelp demonstrated by Darren who's first boat dive, ended in a short but violent barf!! Well done mate for thoroughly enjoying yourself whilst emptying the days intake! Luckily I don't have photos of that!

Sunday 11th October

8.15am - The Betsy Anna

Built in 1892, the Betsy Anna (formerly known as the Ashington) foundered in Poole Bay whilst being towed to Cowes for repairs after tearing her plates in Devon. She took on a lot of water, broke her bow and sank. She lies in a depth of 24m with the bow collapsed backwards, standing 4m high, pointing upwards. Whilst her boilers are easy to see, in position and upright, her propeller is missing.

We loved this dive, loads of fish, lobsters, and massive congers in the boiler.

10.30am - The Fleur De Lys

The Fleur De Lys is a 64' fishing trawler that sunk around 4 years ago while being towed to Poole. She is now fairly broken up but at 13m makes a good easy shallow dive, with plenty of fish life to make it interesting.

This dive was a great oppurtunity for the new divers to experience their first UK boat dive. Well done to Louise, Francesca and Marcus. The dive was great, again loads of life, plenty of divers and Alex managed to score a direct hit with his SMB on Skua's prop!!

13.30 - Drift and pier dives. Most divers went off in search of edibles on the drift dive but came back empty handed, whilst myself, Marcus and Francesca finished the weekend with a lovely pier dive.

Well done to everyone for keeping things safe and fun and I look forward to the next one.

All the best

Alex, Helen and Steph

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