HSE Reminds Swimming Pool Operators re Safety

Timely advice with school holidays now here :-

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is advising organisers of youth activities and swimming pool operators to review their procedures to ensure the safety of participants at swimming events during the forthcoming school holidays. The advice comes after a prosecution of the London Borough of Barnet and the Office of the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis for breaches of health and safety law.

Full story:-

http://www.hse.gov.uk:80/press/2007/e07026.htm?ebul=hsegen/09-jul-2007&cr=8

R E S E R V E D

This space:-

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is reserved for Jim's report on Vobster Quay !

HMS Northcoates & The Waldrons ~ 15th July 2007

Despite "severe weather" warnings eight Meridian Divers trekked down to Littlehampton Marina on Sunday 15th July to meet up with my old work colleague, Sean, Skipper of Copperhead II and chance our fins at spot of West Sussex diving! Well, good call, Sean! As it turned out the sea state was at worse moderate and in the afternoon it was slight with some sunshine to boot! Whatever next, sunshine in July!

Our first dive was on the armed trawler HMS Northcoates, a dive fairly similar to that old favourite 'Lancer II' but Northcoates still has the gun on it and is a little deeper at 30 to 32m. I have to say it was pretty dark down there during the morning there was little sun and the vis was only 'OK'! We wisked back to the Marina for a hot drink and small snack before heading back out to the Waldrons reef off the coast of Bognor Regis for a 15m drift dive. The sun was shining and the lower depth gave a lot more light. All eyes were out for the famous fossilised sharks teeth but only one or two were found, proze for best fossil goes to Simon for a handsome specimen!

Another good dive trip which will set some divers up for more exotic locations , like the Red Sea. That said we know they are UK divers at heart as they have already put their names down for the next Littlehampton trip!

Stoney Cove anymore takers

for those of you who maybe thinking of joining the trip to Stoney here is a little clip borrowed from You Tube to help you make up your minds

Thanks to the bloke who made it and you tube

Diver in Lobster Wrestling Match

An experienced diver told how he "wrestled" a 3ft (0.9m) lobster into a string bag after it attacked him. Chris Hovard, from Wyke Regis, Dorset, was diving when the creature - weighing more than 10lbs - scuttled towards him near Weymouth jetty on Saturday.

The 51-year-old, who has been diving for 34 years, said he had never seen a crustacean "anywhere near this size". The lobster, he named Lemmy after the lead singer of rock band Motorhead, is now at Weymouth's Sea Life Park.

Mr Hovard said: "I was diving when I spotted an old boiler which I believe may have been used in the Northe Fort in the olden days and then was thrown into the sea when it was no longer needed. I was swimming around it when the lobster came at me, its claws snapping. I could hardly get my hand across the back of its shell. You'd need a saddle to ride it. I managed to get it with a pincer movement. The commotion stirred up a silt cloud which momentarily stunned him and this was when I managed to grab him." Lemmy is thought to be about 50 years old.

PS I can think of another near 50 year old crustacean (Sorry Chris) I also think he may know some other old boilers down Dorset way

Stoney Cove ~ Mid-Week Dive Trip

As the recent weather has been so appalling and it doesn't look like there is an end in sight I was considering a mid-week trip to Stoney Cove.

Why midweek? Well forget weekends you can't get near the place. Why stoney cove? 'Cos there is plenty to see, reasonable depths, some visability, good on-site facilities & guaranteed diving !

Cons: - its a long way to go , an approximate 300 mile round trip!

So if like me you are getting itchy fins and fancy a bit of freshwater relief post a reply to this message with available dates.

Wednesdays have always been a pretty good day to go although you still need to get there reasonably early to get a waterside parking place.

Check out their website http://www.stoneycove.com/

Tad

Meridian Divers ~ Pool Session

It is planned to have a pool session on Thursday 19th July 6.30- 8.30 with a view to having regular weekly or bi-weekly sessions. after that.

Costs are being calculated, however, running try dives would help offset the cost of the sessions.

Your support would be welcomed as this is a great resource for the group.

Tad

Phocine Distemper Virus in Seals

Seems that this nasty Virus may be coming back to our Seal's. For more info and the latest press release see the British Divers Marine Life Rescue website : www.bdmlr.co.uk/

They need our help, so please keep your eyes pealed.....A subject close to my heart....xx

Expressions of Interest : Airborne 19th August

I am using this post to record in order of receipt expressions of interest in the proposal to dive & watch some the Eastbourne Airborne event on the 19th August. If interested email me / add a comment to the blog. The definitive list will be on this 'front' page.

1. Chris P
2. Tad
3. Trekker
4. Therese S
5. Simon T
6. Jim H
7. Debs
8. Tracey
Volunteer for Crew : Diving Diva
Rerserve: Matt C
Reserve: Trekker


FOR INFO:
Programmes for Airbourne not available yet (29/7/07) , but the Red Arrows will be there on the Sunday and that flying displays start from noon.