The Wreck of the Nyon ~ Sunday 14th September

The MV Nyon has an interesting story This Swiss cargo vessel was grounded in Eyemouth a popular area for diving up in the land of the kilt and Haggis in 1958 The Nyon, a 5058 tonne Swiss Cargo ship, struck Meg Watson’s Rock, 4 miles northwest of St Abbs Head, on her way from Leith to Dakar. The stern half of the ship was salved and towed to Holland where a new bow was fitted

A stranded Nyon in 1958

Move on to 1962 and the now repaired MV Nyon was heading down the channel carrying a cargo of cars and other bits and pieces when she was in a collision with the Indian Jalazad about 10 miles south of Beachy Head and sank.

Collision Damage the Jalazad

Present day and a group of us are heading on TunWells Diver out to dive the Nyon and it is another first for me. The Nyon has long been on my list of must do wreck dives and with slightly choppy seas I was soon to be achieving that long held aim to dive her. Reaching the site it was the the usual well rehearsed job of shotting the wreck and soon we were hitting the water with Jamie and Ian heading down first to tie in. Derek and me were second in and looking down the shot the vis looked like it may be ok and the light seemed to be staying with us.

The wreck sits about 45m of water on low tide and it seemed to take a while to hit the wreck but we were soon on the wreck which sits on her side and we were towards the stern area. I had to watch my depth as my mix didnt allow me past 38.6 m with a 28% set at 1.4.

The vis was was around 3-4 m and although dark you could just about getway without using a torch on the highest part of the stern . I amused myself whilst Derek busied himself with his camera taking photos. Piles of empty coke a cola bottles lay beneath us in broken crates and coils of cable still lay on the tilted decks. The water was very green and an abandoned net was draped over a peice of machinery ready to catch the unwary.

The bottom time whizzed by and Derek had already deployed his SMB and was starting his ascent above me so I decided to join him and start the slow jouney back to the surface.

Another Great dive and yet again I look forward to doing it again when the conditions are better and I can get a better feel for the wreck .Thanks again to the TWSAC Boys Derek Rob Jools Graham Geoff and Ian for the trip out and the interesting long trip back.

If you are ever up in the Eyemouth / St Abbs area you can dive the remains of the Nyons original Bow which sits in about 9m and then shoot down south and dive the rest of the wreck at a far more exciting depth. Quite unique me thinks

Tad

Diving The wreck of The Seven Seas With Tunbridge Wells SAC and Meridian Divers

The best bits from the dive I did with TWSAC on the wreck of the Seven Seas a few weeks ago

Monkeying About!

Some time ago we discussed the idea of swinging thru the trees with the help of Go Ape in Kent.

They are only open until the end of October and we had initially set asisde the 4th October 2009.

If you are still interested, please add a comment or email me. This is open to friends & family too. Payment does have to be made at time of booking so we need to get moving if we do want to play Tarzan!

You can find more details from http://www.goape.co.uk/

Tracey
(not sure what's happened with publishing names!)

T R Thompson Wreck Dive ~ 6th September

The weather gods were smiling Sunday morning when the group from Rother Diving Club and Meridian Divers met up at the Sussex Yacht club at Shoreham to join Chris West's Hard boat Buccaneer. The plan was to motor out to the MD project wreck The T.R.Thompson.

After the appalling weather of the last week we were not expecting miracles but the sea was glassy smooth and the sun was shining and warm.

After an hours motor we reach the site and there was already a rib packed with divers from TWSAC waiting for slack. Buccaneer crew member Roger popped in and tied the shot in for us.
Soon it was our turn to dive but the sky had become overcast so we expected darkness down on the wreck. Exiting Buccaneer is a little unconventional but not a problem so Nicky Steve and myself rolled in and descended into the gloom or should I say pitch black and before long we hit the wreck and after a bit of searching we had soon orientated ourselves and set off to enjoy the dive. We swam over the engines and down to the railings and winches. even though it was pitch black we were really enjoying the dive as when conditions are like this you tend to see the smaller things with more detail. In fact we were enjoying the dive so much we allowed ourselves to go into a little deco time but all too soon we had to think about our ascent and stops on the way up.

Getting back onto Buccaneer is as interesting as the exit and in fact Steve enjoyed it so much he popped back in (unintentionally) and did it again.

We had planned to do a second dive but as the conditions were picking up and becoming lumpy we canned it and headed back to port. On the way back just off Brighton we were greeted by flipper a lone Bottlenose dolphin playing near a net buoy, no doubt looking for a free lunch which was a nice touch to end a great day on.

A big thanks to Chris West Skipper , Roger and Dave the Buccaneer crew. A nice little boat and great crew will definitely take up Chris's offer of some more dives and midweek stuff in the near future.

Thanks to the Rother Diving Club boys and Girls for joining us and can't wait to do it all again with you and Thanks to Graham at OV for passing on the dive to us.

Divers
Nicky
Steve
Tony
Ian
Andy
Simon
Ernie
Tad

Diving with Buccaneer

More Buccaneer Diving Boat Charter Opportunies:-

Friday Sept 11th (HWN) Leave 14-00hrs (40m wreck)
Sun Sept 13th (LWN) Leave 09-30hrs
Tues Sept 15th (HWN) Leave 18-30hrs Indiannia (10m)
Sat Sept 19th (HWS) Leave 09-30hrs
Friday Sept 25th (HWN) Leave 13-45hrs > Waterford (30m)
Sat Oct 3rd (HWS) Leave 08-30hrs
Sun Oct 4th (HWS) Leave 09-15hrs
Sat Oct 10th (LWN) Leave 07-45hrs
Sun Oct 11th (LWN) Leave 08-30hrs
Sat Oct 17th (HWS) Leave 08-30hrs
Sun Oct 18th (HWS) Leave 09-00hrs
Sat Oct 24th (HWN) Leave 13-00hrs BST
Sun Oct 25th (HWN) Leave 13-00hrs GMT
Sat Oct 31st (HWN) Leave 07-15hrs

BOOK EARLY please, to avoid disappointment !

Dive prices.....£25 for a single dive trip.......reduced as the fuel prices have dropped. We are now offering two dives on most weekend trips, (£35), with the second dive on a different site to the first dive. If you want to book the boat during 2009 for training dives or a 'Dive School Outing' or specialist / club dives please get in touch and we can tailor a trip to your requirements.

Chris
Buccaneer Charters
Tel:- 01273 464225
Mob:- 07802 571056
Web. buccaneer-diving.co.uk
E-mail chris.mainsplice@btclick.com

English Heritage - Protected Wrecks

Follow THIS link for the English Heritage web site on Protected Wrecks.

English Heritage Talk

Firstly a big thank you to all those that braved the appalling weather wednesday night and came to the talk given by Alison Hamer from English Heritage on the issues facing the protected wreck sites off our coasts.

25 divers from Eastbourne BSAC, Tunbridge Wells Sub Aqua Club, Rother Diving Club and Meridian Divers listened to Alison's talk on what English Heritage are doing about these protected sites and how divers can access the sites and become involved in projects and even become licensees of some of these sites.

Alison also fielded questions from the floor on a variety of issues. It became very clear during the talk that protecting sites is a mammoth task due to the lack of funding and in reality there is only Alison doing the job of policing.

After Alison had finished the talk there was a chance for the different clubs to network with each other and it soon became very clear that there is a willingness to join forces and work on a particular project with a view to perhaps becoming the Licensees of a particular local site.
It is felt that a working group of volunteers from each group could meet to formalise a project outline and take it forward. There also was a feeling that a greater degree of co-operation between local clubs and groups could be beneficial when running diving and social activities etc , which is the reason Meridian Divers was set up for.

I will be emailing all those that expressed an interest over the next few days and see if we can set up some sort of meeting and have already spoken to Alison about this.

So the evening was a real success in more ways than one and once again thank you to all those that supported the evening and made it worthwhile. Also a special thanks to Alison Hamer for travelling up from Portsmouth to give the talk and no Alison Eastbourne isn't Dover. A big surprise for me was to meet an old friend that I hadn't seen for thirty odd years good to see you Claire and hubby Keenan, yep we have got old.

Finally thanks to Sheila and Ernie for sorting the room and the food.

Photos to follow shortly

Happy Birthday Tad!

Birthday best wishes to the Tadmaster , revered diving videographer sans frontieres! And well done for organising the very well attended English Heritage Martime talk.

Maritime Heritage Talk - Wednesday 2nd September

Just a reminder to all that tomorrow's English Heritage maritime talk starts at 7.30pm.

Diving the Wreck of The Mount Stewart

Photo of Anchor on the wreck

taken by Rob King

Bank Holidays normally bring pretty crap weather and Sunday was no exception grey and breezy and with a dive booked for Sunday afternoon I thought that it wasn't worth the trip down to Newhaven and a phone call from Jools confirmed my thoughts so I asked if there would be spaces on Mondays dive as the weather was looking a bit better.

Monday dawned grey and breezy again and once more I questioned if it was worth the trip down but as I had already cancelled once I thought it was polite to at least make the effort.

On arriving at Newhaven the sky at cleared, the weather was hot and the breeze was dropping.
Four of us were booked Tunwells Diver and as the boat had been out to the Scallop wreck in the morning and the vis wasn't brilliant it was suggested by Graham that we try a little dived wreck

The Mount Stewart 2 miles off Beachy Head a wreck and I hadn't dived her before. Built 1873 by T. & W. Smith, North Shields, Yard No 64; Launch Date September 1873; Built for Marquis Of Londonderry, Sunderland; Collision 3nm W Royal Sovereign Shoal on 19/12/1890 & sank whilst in tow

Reaching the wreck site we located the wreck and dropped the shot and didn't have to wait long for slack. Sheila and me were first in and surprisingly going down the line there was vis . We hit the wreck at just over 30m and we had at least 4m of vis plus plenty of light, I was so glad that I had made the trip. We tied the shot in and set off to explore the wreck.

Sitting upright on a sandy bottom the wreck was covered in life large lobsters,congers and huge shoals of bib and pollack cruised the remains. As we started to hit sand we turned the dive around and headed back towards the shot and came across the engine room complete with gantry walks and ladders. dropping over the side of the wreck the hull was impressive with large square holes where there were once windows and portholes. The Mount Stewart lies pretty much intact but depth and time dictated our stay on the wreck so we didnt reach the stern area although Rob got there and reported an impressive stern and propeller.

On the way back to Newhaven we stopped at the Beachy Light House for some photos and then a gentle cruise in warm evening sun and a flat sea back to Newhaven. This is now Rob's favourite wreck and if you want to know why you are going to have to ask him yourselves my lips are sealed.

A brilliant dive cant wait to do it again.

A big thanks to Sheila,Graham and Rob from TWSAC

Tad

The Oceana - The New and the Old

Just posting this as a bit of interest. Having dived the Oceana a number of times look at the difference a 100 years make.

Early 1900's

Early 21st Century

Just imagine diving that in a hundred years time!

Wreck Dive (TBC) - Monday 31st August

Dive boat "Buccaneer" is planning a wreck dive between 36m to 42m followed by another , shallower, wreck dive. Departs Shoreham. No other details as yet. Contact Skipper Chris via:-

www.buccaneer-diving.co.uk

Diving The Oceana with Meridian Divers

Footage of the Oceana Dive from Channel Divers on the 13th August

Project Aware Beach Clean-Up - 19th Sept

Ocean View have cordially invited Meridian Divers Friends and families to take part in a Beach Clean-Up in aid of PADI Project Aware. Please post a comment if you would like to help out. Looks pretty good to me especially the Hog Roast bit!

Where and when: 12.00, Saturday 19th September at Beach Green, Lancing. Beach Clean-Up & free hog roast with the purchase of a raffle ticket.

Diving The Ashford Wreck

Its nearly been a week since I got an email from Jools a TWSAC member asking if anyone wished to do a midweek late afternoon dive on the rib from Newhaven and as the weather looked like it was going to be great I eagerly signed up as I was already going to be in Hastings, and going by what the vis had been like on the Sunday before,hopes were high for a cracking dive.

As I had the furthest to come the decision was up to me which wreck we did and as I had never dived the Ashford the choice was easy.

The trip out on a flat sea and warm late summer sun was a real pleasure and soon we were over the wreck and waiting for slack.

Jools Rob and Justin were first in to tie off whilst Dave and I were left on the rib waiting for our turn and the warm weather made sitting around in our dry suits a little uncomfortable.

25 minutes later DSMB's popped up and we were soon helping the first 3 divers aboard and kitting up ourselves. Disappointingly the reports of the vis were not as good as I was hoping and as we were reaching the end of slack I didn't take the camera in.

Down the shot the wreck of the Ashford sits upright at about 37m she was built in 1881 and sunk in a collision with a German Barque on the 25th of June 1906 whilst carrying a cargo of coal. I had looked at John Liddiards wreck tour on the Ashford prior to the dive and the artists impression is pretty well what the wreck looks like now (good omen for the TRT wreck tour image when done) you can enter the wreck through the deck supports and pretty much swim through the wreck via the holds. The remains of the coal cargo still sit in the holds and broken plates and glass can still also be found.

During the dive I saw the biggest cod I have ever seen brush by Dave non perplexed by our presence. The vis was around 4-5m but quite grainy and as the sun was getting low, light levels on the wreck were not ideal for video without lights so just as well I had left the camera up top.

We swam the length of the wreck and also checked out the ships prop which is huge. Having planned a small bit of deco Dave was on air and I had a mix of 25% it was soon time to head but up. We had come back to the shot and decided to head back up that but the tide had turned and we were hanging like flags off the line so Dave deployed his DSMB and we drifted off, far more comfortable.

A great dive and one wreck that I will definitely want to get back to and film asap

The photo of the Ashford is courtesy of Alf Rodenby

Check out the DIVER magazine wreck tour on the Ashford here

http://www.divernet.com/Wrecks/wreck_tours/159413/wreck_tour_65_the_ashford.html

Tad

T R Thompson Wreck Dive - 6th Sept (Update)

The booking is confirmed for September 6th. 'Ropes off' or leaving time is 10-30am. We can do a second, (shallower), wreck after the 'Thompson' but as it is a spring tide, the dive will be with the tide running. Add a comment if you have preferences. The Weather will also dictate whether the 2nd dive will happen the skipper will make the call on the day.

There is a map to find the boat on the web site http://www.buccaneer-diving.co.uk/

Tad

TR Thompson Dive ~ Sunday 6th September

This will now be two dives on 6th September. 1st dive TRT , 2nd dive probably also a wreck. Ropes-off time to be announced but between 9am and 10am from Shoreham on Buccaneer. Cost £35 . See:- http://www.buccaneer-diving.co.uk/ Thanks to Graeme and Matt at Ocean View for the offer of these spaces very much appreciated.

Divers :-
1.Ernie
2.Chris P (TBC)
3.Simon
4.Nicky
5.Tony
6.Tad
7. Ian S
8. Andy T
1st Reserve:

Skive Dive Society

Calling all skivers. Channel Diver has some spaces available for some mid week dives.

Wednesday 16th September - Aluania out of Eastbourne, 36 metres. Divers already booked on are Simon, Tad & Ernie.

Wednesday 21st October - Braunton out of Brighton, 36 metres.

Wednesday 28th October - Ariel out of Brighton, 25 metres.

Anyone wishing to skip work to dive please post a comment.

Ernie

Meridian Mutts ~ Sunday 16th August

Ice creams all round!

Another enjoyable walk under my belt or should I say collar. Joined by my good friends Poppy M and Twizzle and the human attendants we had a leisurely stroll along the 1066 walk from Pevensey Castle , passed Chilli Farm and onto Rickney and returned along the river bank. To finish the day Poppy M's Mum bought us an ice cream each. Hopefully we will see more of you on the next walk.

Poppy B
X X

T R Thompson Wreck Dive ~ Sunday 6th September

Tad has circulated the following dive opportunity :-

Wreck of the T R Thompson
Sunday 6th September
Dive Boat: The Buccaneer
Port: Shoreham
Single Dive ~ Cost £25

Add comments or get in touch with Tad

Oceana, Air Show and BBQ ~ 13th July 2009

L to R: Chris, Ray, Sara, Ken

Simon on his Exercise Ball watches the planes go by!

"Look Everyone , there's an Air Show" Said Tad .. "What?" Said Everyone

Front Four to Rear Five "Still smoking then?"

More photos of great days diving and sky watching! Ernie.

Summer BBQ and Dive at Buckland Lake ~ Sunday 23rd August

Big apologies I meant to post this last week. Earlier on this year I had planned the "Soup Dragon" dive but for various reasons this never happened. Well next Sunday, on the 23rd we are planning a dive at Buckland Lake followed by a BBQ at my house. I will need numbers asap as dives need to be booked at Buckland.

Please post a comment if you can make it and will make the arrangements. The plan is to meet at the lake mid-morning, do a dive or two, then head back to my house, which is about 15 minutes from the lake, for a BBQ.

Cost of the dive is £10 and certs need to be shown. BBQ bring what you want and I will attempt to cook it and not poison you and bring what you want to drink. Everyone is welcome!

Diving the Wreck of the Seven Seas or not ?

The Toilet on the 'Seven Seas'

Stunning!!! that's the only word that can describe today's dive on the Wreck of the Seven Seas.

After battling the traffic heading to Eastbourne for the Airshow I managed to scrape into Newhaven with about 15 minutes to spare to join Tunwells Diver and TWSAC members Max, Bill, John, Graham, Jamie, Derek and Rob. A decision had not yet been made on where to dive but with good vis reports from the wreck dives during the week on sites further out it was decided that a dive on a wreck known as the Seven Seas would be a good choice. It is, however, thought that this wreck has been wrongly named !

A choppy RIB ride 10 miles out put us other the site and with the wreck shotted the first two divers were in to tie off to the wreck. I was buddied with John from London and soon we were in the water and headed off down the line and with my cold now cleared-up my ears cleared easily.

It soon became apparent that this dive was going to be a corker and once on the wreck at 37m the vis was around 15m maybe more with plenty of ambient light. I have never dived this wreck before and was amazed at how intact she was, she still looks like a ship. Sea life covered her rusting remains and we were soon off exploring the holds, engines and other features including remains of rooms. One feature which got close inspection was a loo intact but long past any Harpic treatment.

Working our way to the bows the vis gave us the opportunity to see the wreck in all its glory, the bow was stunning, still cutting its way through the currents. I had taken the video camera down but realised I had pushed the zoom control accidentally so although the quality was OK, I misssed out on the panoramic shots which is a shame.

All too soon it was time to head back up to the surface where the wind had picked-up a bit which made for an interesting ride back to Newhaven. A great dive and the moral here is that if you want the vis you need to get a bit further out at the moment . Thanks to everyone for the trip it was certainly well worth the effort.

The video will be posted shortly once Thursday's Oceana one has been completed. Tad .

Oceana, BBQ & Air Show Dive ~ 13th August

L to R: Tad, Ray, Ken, Ernie

Without doubt, for me, this was the best day's diving in the UK this year! Totally brilliant day out! MDers Tad, Ernie, Sheila and I started the day in true Brit Diver style ...with Bacon Butties at the "Early Birds" Cafe in Eastbourne. That set us up for the short drive to Sovereign Harbour to rendezvous with MDiver Simon, and Nicky , Tony, Sara , Ken & Ray and several other divers , oh and of course Channel Diver skipper Steve , his lady wife Caroline and his brother Chris.

It was an overcast and cool start as we motored out of the lock gates heading for the wreck of the Oceana. But the sea was fairlyflat and and a spot of cool weather can be an advantage when wearing a dry suit for periods of time! Steve , as ever expertly shot the wreck and we were soon descending in to what looked like plenty of light and encouraginly good viz!

I dived with Simon and we clocked-up 49 minutes and reached a max depth of 26 metres. Others made an hours dive. We had a long and detailed tour of the wreck finishing at the Bow. There were blennies everywhere and a torch was only needed for looking into recesses. A very enjoyable bimble! On surfacing the weather had changed ...it was sunny with blue skies and lovely white clouds. Quite a beautiful day!

After the dive , some coffee and biscuits we motored across to a point a few hundred metres off the Eastbourne , Wish Tower area. We anchored and the energetic amongst us tried their hand at fishing ... the catch was not great! One Weaver fish and a brace of Mackerel! Luckily we had brought food for the on board BBQ ! Steve acted as Captain & Chef and quickly had us tucking into some lunch on the aft deck.

Following the refreshements it wasn't too long before the Eastbourne Airshow started . A major local event and free! Highlights were the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire , Hurricane, Lancaster) , the Blades acrobatic team, wing walkers, then the hugely powerful F16, followed by the Red Arrows.

Fantastic displays , the boys on board, true to firm seem to favour the fastest & noisiest aircraft , so the F16 was the winner for most!

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight put on quite a show and at one point a Spitfire and F16 flew side-by-side! The old & the new.

"Behind You !"

After the Red Arrows we sped back to Sovereign Harbour to get in the front end of the lock queue!

A truly great day out , and great to be joined by old buds, Ken, Ray & Sara. It was Ken's first dive from a boat with a diver lift! I think we may have spoilt you now Ken , you'll always want one now!

Sussex Coast Diving Incident ~ Saturday 8th August

Details of a tragic incident over the last week-end:-

BBC Souther Counties News

The Argus

Worthing Herald

Channel Isles Diving ~ 31st August to 5th September

Just recieved this from Steve of Channel Diver

Hi All,

Now Only £200pp + Accommodation & travel . Appleton SAA have 4 spaces available on a four day Sark trip on the Channel Islands 31st August - 5th September . Diving will be in the 30-50 metre range, air, nitrox & trimix available Sark Diving Services.

If you are interested please phone for details, call Steve on 07970 674799.

Scallop Wreck Dive ~ Sunday 9th August

Whilst a bunch of rubber clad hooligans were worrying fish on Newhaven's West Beach Harbour Arm, I was skimming across the waves aboard Tunbridge Wells Diver out to a TWSAC favourite the Scallop Wreck. Having caught a very annoying summer cold the day before , I had been dosing myself up with Sudafed , determined not to miss the dive.

Reaching the wreck site kitting up aboard the rib was a relatively painless affair. Jason & I were the third pair in after Rob and Jules had tied-in and sent the shot up.

It seems the Sudafed worked well on one half of my body but not the other as I was having real difficulty with clearing one ear. Jason indicated he was going to continue down whilst I jiggled my jaw, squeezed and blew my nose as I inched my way down the shot. I was on the verge of giving up when my ear cleared and could continue down to the wreck at 36m .The vis was about 3-4m and quite dark although you could just about get away with out using a torch.

The Scallop wreck is covered in life including some very large cod who didn't seem at all bothered by my presence. Large breaks in he hull are very tempting and with a squeeze could be easily entered but I was content to loiter at the entrances. I found a couple of old bottles which were broken so no help there in identifying the name or nationality of this ship.

Time seemed to whiz by and I was already nudging deco and was just in the process of sending up my SMB when I drifted passed the shotline in the increasing current so I chose the easy option and came up the line.

After a nice slow accent I surfaced and was soon back on the RIB waiting for the last 2 divers in the water and then back to shore and a nice cup of tea.

Thanks to Max,Jason,Jamie, Kevin, Jules , Jeff and Rob for a great dive.

Tad

Ps Dont think the cold is going to turn into pig flu oink

Air Show Dive ~ Thursday 13th August

Meridian Divers , Tad, Simon , Ernie & Chris will be joined aboard Steve Johnson's Channel Diver by old dive Buds , Ken , Ray , Debs and Sara. Should be a good get-together and chance to catch-up on local dive news as it's been a little while, girls, since your last Meridain Divers meeting ! Take care though boys, once you've stretched-out on the spacious Channel Diver (with lazy divers lift) you might start becoming too soft ...like the rest of us!

See you all on Thursday!

Newhaven Harbour Arm Dive ~ Done ! 9th August

L-R: Simon , Debbie, Trez, Sean, Caroline, Kev, Max

After some quick planning the Harbour Arm (West) dive took place , it's a fair hike from the car park to the waters edge , which on a warm day with all your gear is perhaps not the best part of this venue! A couple of other divers had started off about ten minutes before us and had entered near the base of the Arm. By the time we arrived there , a fisherman, asked us about Sharm El Shiek. It transpired he was an Egyptian and he thought it was wrong of us to dive when there were fishermen there. I mused on the thought about whether it was right to fish when there were divers there and wondered where divers & fishermane were to make their own 'beach bookings' . But the fisherman had decided to give-up and go , complaining the beach wasn't big enough before any informed discussion could took place. We didn't think it was a good idea telling hiim there was nothing worth catching at that location in any case!

So with the new entente cordial established we got in the water! What seemed like promising viz soon turned-out to be a false hope! The viz was probably no better than a metre! The rocks and underwater sea defences were covered in a light brown silt , I think , worse than I have seen it before. It did look as though the silt was killing-off the marine life.

Simon and I saw five small lobsters in the rocks , a few velvet swimming crabs and some small Bib. It was not the best dive on the Arm I have done, quite disappointing for viz & life. We swam out for 30 minutes reaching a maximum of 10 metres depth before returning for a total dive time of 63 minutes.

I found some fishing lures (sorry Robbo , no ankle weights ...well none that I'm going to admit to) which were trapped on broken line in the rocks. I picked them up and passed them to another fisherman on exiting the water. There see, the nice divers have massively improved your catch for the day!

So then it was the return hike back to the car park before changing and making for the Captains Table for light post-dive refreshment! Richard G was already in there , tucking into a fry-up sandwich after diving in the Brighton Marina, shrewd move Richard, worth refueling before washing all that kit off!

Newhaven Beach Dive ~ Sunday 9th August

Hi all,

Following the MD Meeting on 5th August a suggestion was a Beach Dive ...SOON!

So here is a pretty straigtforward idea , prospective plan:-

Newhaven Harbour (West Arm) / West Beach Dive Sunday 9th August.

Meet at West Arm Car Park at 12.30pm.
Plan to enter at 1.30pm
High Tide at 2.00pm

Weather forecasts are lloking reasonable , NE wind , approx 9mph, cloudy , 19 Deg C Air Temp, lower humidty!

Check Forecasts HERE, and HERE !!

Tide Times can be checked via the LINKS (right hand side panel on screen).

If interested add a comment !

Maritime Heritage Talk 2nd September Venue

The venue for the Maritime Heritage talk on the 2nd is

Chaseley Trust
South Cliff
Eastbourne
BN20 7JH

This can be found at the Beachy Head side of Eastbourne near the big tower block on the Seafront just to the right of Bolsover Road. Just to click on the map for a larger image



View Larger Map

List of those attending : Click Here

Meridian Mutts - Sunday 16th August

Calling all of my canine friends. I am planning another walk on Sunday 16th August. This gives you plenty of time to work on the humans, and if necessary to cancel any prior arrangements.
If you are interested please post a comment and let me know how far you would like to walk and then weather dependent we can choose where to go.
Poppy B
X

Next Meridian Divers Meeting ~ Wednesday 5th August

The next Meridian Divers Meeting will be held at the Berwick Inn, Berwick at 7.30pm on Wednesday 5th August. Agenda's have been sent out. Add a comment if you have not received the email.

Meridian Mutts ~ 2nd August

Meridian Divers swapped sub-aqua for terra firma again today ... I suppose it keeps us a little fitter for the diving when weather, wind & wonga allow! There were some notable Meridian Mutt absences (Tibor & Parsley were nowhere to be seen), but two Poppy's & a Swizzle made the downs hike from Alfriston to Berwick (and back by a different route). Certainly a pleasant Sunday afternoon amble assisted by a refreshment stop at the Cricketers Pub at (old) Bewick.! The temperature was warm, quite windy on the top of the downs but the viz was miles, in fact, right across East Sussex!

Dog Tyred ...you might say!

John Liddiard's T R Thompson Photos

A Meridian Diver on the Wreck of the T R Thompson

Copies of John Liddiard's photos of the wreck of the T R Thompson, taken on the MD & TWBSAC dive of 26th July can now be viewed on John's website : http://www.jlunderwater.co.uk/ .

As a quick link to the T R Thompson photos click www.jlunderwater.co.uk/piclib/goto.htm?pic=09_07_26_2338 , the TRT photos are numbered from 2338 onwards. Definately worth a look as John has put captions to all his photos which really helps identify features. John has an expert knowledge when it comes to identification , in one dive he managed to locate features that have taken us considerable time to find!

John is a professional photographer & journalist , his work is subject to copyright. Meridian Divers are grateful to be given permission to reproduce his work here.

Wreck Dive : The Indiana ~ Saturday 25th July

Well the weather did not look good but that did not stop O.V. going out on the Buccaneer. I was looking forward to diving a wreck in my home town. The Indiana is one mile south of Worthing Pier, a British steamer 2,266tons she had a cargo of oranges and lemons she went down on the 1st of march 1901. She lies in about 10 metres, it has been dispersed but this was a great dive with loads of marine life, vis was about 3-4 metres. Thanks to all for a great dive.

Meridian Mutts

Hello my furry friends, Poppy Benson here. This coming Sunday 2nd August would any of you like to join me, with your human companions, on a nice walk in the countryside. Weather permtting of course. I suggest a walk through Ashdown Forest, including the Pooh sticks bridge. Followed by a cream tea at Duddeswell Tea rooms. This walk is approx 7 miles and when I last did it it took me and my staff just under 3 hours.

If you are interested please post a comment.
Poppy X

P.S. Anyone who hasn't got a dog is still welcome.

T R Thompson Wreck Tour Dive Photos

...........and there's more

Meridian dive team with John Liddiard on My Sharon

Tunbridge Wells Sub Aqua Club

(or is it traffic warden divers ?)


Men at work - do they know what they are doing ?

Tea and conversation (Chris & John)

She always has to get in on the act!

T R Thompson Dive ~ Sunday 26th July

One or two us , I think, doubted we would make this dive! Our recent track record for canned dives due to weather was troubling us all but , shortly after 1.30pm today we set off on MV My Sharon for the wreck of the T R Thompson. It was quite breezy with a lumpy sea as we made our way out of the Ouse and into the English Channel. The forecast was for the wind to drop later in the afternoon.

As it transpired we formed a small flotilla of dive boats , as My Sharon was flanked by two RIBs, one driven by Jamie S from Tunbridge Wells BSAC and the other by Richard H from Newhaven. It's always nice to have the company of other boats when diving eight miles off the coast, especially if you think it's going to be a lively one!

Aboard My Sharon was John Liddiard (of DIVER Magazine fame) along with , Tad, Sheila, Ernie, Simon, Tony, Nicky and me. John had previously tried to dive Thompson with us some years ago but that was canned due to bad weather! This time we had more luck and actually made the dive. John hopes to feature the TRT as a future 'Wreck Tour' in the magazine and we hope our project Blog will be the perfect match for the article in due course.

The Project Blog has already made an impact , with many divers reporting that they had read it and been impressed. We were also delighted to see that divers had been supplied with stickers for their log books that featured drawings of the wreck taken from the Project Blog. It's great to see how others are making use of the research to promote local diving.

By the time we reached the wreck site the wind had dropped a little and the faster RIBs had gone ahead and put a shot line down. So it was kit-up and get in on arrival. The water was pleasantly warm ... well , for the Channel, but the vis was in the order of 3 metres. Simon & I managed a max depth of 32 metres and strung out a total dive time of 40 mins (mind you we did have a leisurely stop!). It was not great for underwater photography but we had a good dive.

By the time we had surfaced the wind had dropped still further making re-entry in to the boat quite straight forward. Tea & biscuits aboard took the salt out of our mouths and the run back to Newhaven seemed faster in less swell.

Captains Table Dive Meeting ~ Saturday 25th July

Last nights meeting , a private function , at the Captains Table in Newhaven was a good opportunity to catch-up with some old faces. In particular John LIDDIARD from DIVER Magazine. The last time we had seen John was a few years ago when he came to Newhaven at the invitation of the TR Thompson Project Team to dive the wreck and write it up as a magazine article "Wreck Tour". That plan had to overcome several obstacles and all had been surmounted (including last minute Nitrox training!) apart from the weather! We hope that today's weather will be far better for the TRT dive aboard MV My Sharon.

The Captains Table now has a small bar, which it seems is almost guaranteed to pull-in divers and dive boat skippers, there were few old Newhaven diving buds there (Rob K aside) but past Meridian Diver Richard H popped-in for a chat and can spread the word of the upcoming Wreck Tour work locally.

Airshow Dive Spaces ~ Thursday 13th August

Spaces are available on Channel Diver for the air show dive which includes a dive on the Oceana and a great view of the Airshow from the deck of Channel Diver on Thursday 13th July .

If you are interested contact Steve Johnson ( Click HERE) and join some of us for a cracking day out WEATHER PERMITTING!!!!!!!!!

TR Thompson "Wreck Tour" Dive ~ Sunday 26th July

For those booked on to the wreck tour dive on Sunday ropes off is 1.30pm at Newhaven we are on My Sharon Hard boat.

It would be good to meet earlier if poss around 11.30 to 12 to discuss a dive plan which if conditions allow enable us to plan what we need to get out of the dive re Photo sketches video and who is doing what. John Liddiard (Diver Magazine) will no doubt have his own plan but anything we can capture on the day will support his wreck tour article and also add to the TRT project.

Will text everyone Saturday evening with confirmation keep your bits crossed

Dont forget if you can make Saturday night 25th 7.30pm TWSAC are organising a get together with John and we have been invited to join them at the Captains table Newhaven with wreck films being shown. Food and drinks are available to purchase from the restuarant

Girls Night In Part II

For once the weather could not affect us girls for our second 'Girls Night In'. Unfortunately, I forgot the camera (I could've made a fortune with some of the potential photos!) so you guys will need to use your imagination!'

We were a select few, but with the wine flowing continuously in Trez's, Debbie's & Linda's glasses, tongues loosened & secrets expelled (really must encourage Linda to drink more often!)

After enjoying Linda's culinary talents together with goodies (especially the cheeses!) brought by others, it was time to get wet & have a splash about in the newly refurbished pool.

It was slightly tamer than the last GNI, though Debbie & Trez did things with big balls that I'd never seen before & was unable to emulate despite numerous attempts!

Debbie provided some 'swimming lessons' while Trez & I were looking forward to getting to know my 12 inch man - unfortunately, he was a big disappointment! After our frolicks in the pool, there was just time for dessert before the boys arrived to pick up Linda & Sheila, & Trez & I made our way soberly (well me at least!) home!

Next time, I'll remember the camera!

Thanks again to Debbie (& Parsley) for her hospitality.

English Heritage Maritime Archaeology Unit Talk ~ 2nd September

I have Booked Alison Hamer from the English Heritage Maritme Archaeology Unit to come and give us a talk on Wednesday 2nd September at a location to be confirmed.

It would be really great if this is well attended as it could open up some interesting opportunties with some of the protected wrecks we have of our coast.

The invitation is extended to any other interested divers who follow the Meridian Divers blog. Please add a comment if you are planning to attend (or send me an email).

Tad

1. Ernie & Sheila
2. Chris P
3. Rich + 1 OV
4. Jaqui OV

5. Dan OV
6. Tad
7. Steve M OV
8. Trez
9. Rachel OV
10. Rother Dive Club (numbers TBC)
11. Jim and EBSAC (numbers TBC)
12. Jamie TWSAC maybe others

13. Sean OV

14 Debbie

15. Caroline OV

16.Gary OV

17.Terry OV

18.Max OV

Sea Zones ~ Revised Times ~ Sunday 12th July

Please note a TIME CHANGE for the Sea Zones dive on Sunday 12th July are as follows:-

Meet Newhaven 12:15
Ropes Off 13:00

Ernie

Back from the Maldives !

Simon and Linda here, back from celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary on Mirihi island in the Maldives.

We had an overnight in Columbo first - reasonably interesting place but there is a massive security presence - you're not allowed to photograph anything - and the big hotels were all bunched together with even more high security, so we didn't wander out into the city, especially as we were told there are no private bars outside of the hotels!

Next day we got our flight to Mirihi island and our room there was stunning. It was incredibly hot the whole time we were there, not very conducive to anything but diving or bathing! We did use the gym one afternoon after we'd dived in the morning, but the skin on Simon's upper arms began to bubble so we stopped immediately and went back for a rest. Oops! Had a fabulous time, although it did take a little while to adjust to doing absolutely nothing (I read 3 books). You could walk round the shoreline of the whole island in 15 minutes.

The dive centre was very slick and professional and was only about 10 paces from our door, so very handy. The boat went out every morning and afternoon so you could just put your name down if you wanted to go. It was all extremely efficient and well run - the whole place is managed by an Austrian and there is a heavy Swiss German influence in the management too, so naturally everything runs very smoothly. Lots of lovely sealife, bigger shoals of fish than I remember in Egypt, although I thought the corals were not as pretty or colourful. Among the things we saw were blue stripe snapper, clearfin turkey fish, forceps fish, fat starfish (!), lovey huge batfish that come very close, peacock grouper, moorish idol, yellow trumpet fish, clown trigger fish, turtles, remora that tried to attach themselves to my wetsuit!, unicorn fish, oriental grunt, Napolean wrasse, etc., etc., .......... you get the picture. Oh, and we had to do mask removal and buddy breathing before they'd take us out. Doh!

Also saw a couple of small sharks but sadly no manta rays (we didn't expect to as it's the wrong season) or whale sharks. We went out on the boat for 2 dives one day and the crew did spot the whale sharks so we stopped and were going to jump in with our snorkels, but they'd moved off. The boat fired up the engines again and began to move away and apparently one of them then went right underneath the boat! Typical. On the last day Simon and I dived the house reef and wreck - at about 25m - on our own, which was a new experience for me (I know, I sound like a complete novice). I was fine with it, although I did get a bit anxious on the way back as to whether we were going to come up in the right place. Should have had more faith in Simon as of course he knew exactly where we were.

All in all, a fantastic anniversary hol.

See you all soon!
Linda and Simon

Seazones ~ Sunday 12th July

We will be diving the T R Thompson from Seazones on Sunday 12th July.
Depth approx 34 mtrs.
Return to harbour approx. 19:30
Wreck and drift £32.00 including scones.

Divers booked:
1. Ernie
2. Tad
3. Chris P.
4. Trez
5 Simon
6. Prometheus
7. Gary
8. Terry

Hope everyone is O.K with these arrangements. If not let me know ASAP.

Ernie

(PS Note Revised Times Posting above).

JimBob Comes to Malta

Ahoy fellow scuba fans. I hope the UK weather continues to please.

Malta has not been the same since Jim left with his haul of fantastic pictures. We did 8 dives in fewer days, hitting all the major spots - Um El Faroud, Cirkewwa, The Blue Hole, HMS Maori. We saw moray eels, grouper, a cowrie (thanks Jim!) a pyrosome, flying gurnards, nudibranchs, and a dentex. And that was just at the restaurant...

The pics and the dives formed the basis for an article in a local newspaper, which I am linking to here.

We have print copies too, and these feature genuine picture credits for a certain "Jim Harvey" (who he?). Basically I think he's a local celebrity...

JimBob's photo album can be viewed HERE! Well worth a click I'd say!

Beach Dive -~ Newhaven Arm 2nd July 2009

I have finally made it back into the water. This evening Ernie & I dived the Arm. Viz was 1-2 metres but it was very silty and there is still a bit of plankton. Plenty to see, crabs, 2 very large lobsters, various fish and gobbies etc., and a very startled large eel. Sea temparature was a very pleasant 16 degrees.

We also met some old friends. Matt W, his brother, Jason and Andy C.

The good news is that a flat path has been created along the wall so the journey to the shoreline is not so arduos. So all of you out there you can't use that as an excuse not to follow my lead and have a very pleasant dive

OK , Something for the Dog Owners !

I thought those of you on Meridian Divers who are also dog owners would like to know a little more about a very special dog that I featured in one of my photos from British Columbia.

A couple of posts before this one are the photos. One of the photos shows an Orca passing a research vessel. The keen eyed amongst you may have spotted a black Labrador dog on the research boat , I think his name is Tucker!

Tucker is not just there for the ride, he's part of the research team and his particular task is to track whales ! Apparently his sensitive nose detects, well, shall we jsut say on this family blog, that which the whales leave behind! Well that's what the skipper of our boat told me and you know what I don't think its a shaggy dog story ! The Orca was spotted whilst we were travelling by boat from Vancouver to Vancouver Island, that trip takes you right along the 'sea border' with the US. The Orca in the picture were actually in US waters and the research boat was from a US university. There is a little more background HERE!

T.R.Thompson Remembered

Its hard to believe that it is nearly a year since we had the wreath laying dive on the T.R.Thompson in the company of crew relatives Norman and Mary Jack, but although a year has nearly past the project has not been forgotten and Norman has been flying the T.R.Thompson flag up north at the TRT birth place Sunderland.

Norman has given talks on the ship and the project and has good connections with the Sunderland Maritime Heritage charity. With this in mind Norman and Mary have had a brass plaque made up commemorating the Thompson's crew and the charity is mounting this on a piece of oak along with a rivet and a piece of the iron ore cargo (recovered during last years wreath laying dive) this plaque will have its home in the charity's HQ in Sunderland and who will also be showing a looped film of the TRT video footage filmed last year. The project has a page on their website dedicated to the TRT , to view the page click HERE

Meridian Divers and I would like to thank Norman and Mary for their continued support of the project.

Marine Life ~ British Columbia

A few photos of marine life taken during my recent visit ~ sadly I didn't get to go diving which was a great shame as the waters were very clear and are renowned for good diving!

White Sided Pacific Dolphin

Orca (Killer Whale) & Research Boat

Humpback Whale Flukes

Humpback Whale

Sea Lions

Jelly Fish

Just a handful from the twelve hundred or so shots! OK , OK , I took the dolphin & jelly fish shots in Vancouver Aquarium but the rest were in the wild!

Next Meridian Divers Meeting ~ Wednesday 1st July

Hi all, the next MD meeting will be held at 7.30pm at the Berwick Inn, Berwick on Wednesday 1st July 2009. Looks like we should be getting some warmer water and imprving viz , so let's get going!

Pool Session - Sovereign Centre, Eastbourne

Meridian divers enjoyed a sucessful pool session at Eastbourne Sovereign Centre. Some skills and DSMB deployment were practiced and some fun just getting wet. Very enjoyable evening and Debbie found a new friend!

Scallop Wreck Dive

This is some of the video footage taken a couple of weeks ago whilst diving as a guest with TWSAC diving the Scallop wreck in 36m about 12 miles south of Newhaven. Although I had taken my camera most of the footage in this clip were taken by Jamie Smith from TWSAC with some bits of mine added in.

T.R.Thompson Wreck Tour Dive Sunday 26th July

Arrangements have now been made for the T.R.T wreck Tour dive with Diver Magazine John Liddiard. The Dive will take place on Sunday 26th July ropes off 1.30 pm. The dive will take place from a local newhaven Hard boat MV MY Sharon skippered by Ray Duff. Cost is TBC. If the hard boat is full there maybe spaces on TWSAC rib.

Tunbridge Wells SAC are also organising a meal drinks and film night at the Captains Table on the Saturday Night (25th July) to coincide with John Liddiards Vist to their Club. Meridian Divers have been invited along with the opportunity to talk about our project and show film footage as well as see the stuff TWSAC have put together. This is open to all and should be a great evening but again need to know numbers asap please. Lets support this guys.

If you would like a space on the dive please add a comment. also add a comment if you would like to attend the Saturday evening event.

Thanks to Jamie Smith and Tunbridge Wells SAC for organising this.

Divers
1.Ernie
2. Chris P
3. Tad
4. John Liddiard
5. Trez
6. Simon
7. Tony
8. Nick

Saturday Meal and Film.

1. Tad
2. Sheila Ernie
3. Chris and Sue

Meridian Divers Diving the Wreck of the SS Pentrych

video highlights from the skive Dive with Ernie on the wreck of the Pentrych on Wednesday.