Newhaven Arm / West Beach Dive ~ Friday 24th August

Simon T has kindly drawn attention to a dive posted in the Yorkshire Divers Forum that is planned for Friday 24th August on the Newhaven Harbour West Arm :-

http://www.yorkshire-divers.com/forums/planned-trips-spare-spaces/59484-newhaven-arm-friday-24th-august.html#post749423

Looks like some old Newhaven faces / Meridian Divers might be making up the numbers so thought it was worth posting the link here.

Sink One 4 Seaford Project (1)

BBC South East Today news (9th August) carried the story of Tony Fowler's plans to sink a Frigate off the coast of Seaford. It's a fascinating idea and it's very encouraging to see Tony making the 'headlines' , when he spoke about it over a drink at the end of the Meridian Divers back in June he was very upbeat and it's great to see he has attracted some attention for the plan.

Seaford Town Council, meeting this evening (9th Aug) will be discussing the idea . Their Agenda Item No.9 states "To consider a request from a Seaford resident to create an artificial reef in Seaford Bay by the scuttling of ex naval warships" (Report No 46/07).

The BBC reported that the Town Council will looking for a local group to pursue the idea. I am fairly sure (but stand to be corrected) that a decision to sink a vessel off Seaford is not within the authority of a Town Council, but it does generate interest! It is certainly an ambitious plan that no doubt a lot of divers will be watching and because that's the case it will be a project that the blog will monitor.

A sunken Frigate would be a major attraction in the area and there are already indications that divers who usually only get wet in warmer regions would make an exception and be tempted to dip a toe into UK waters. Of course with no current shortage of wrecks locally we might wonder what these divers are waiting for ...but what the heck ... the more the merrier!

Best wishes to Tony and fingers crossed for early progress with the Council.

Dive Trip Planning ~ Expressions of Interest

This post is intended to assess the preliminary level interest in two undated / uncosted dive trips. If you interested in principle let me know. No obligation at this stage purely seeing if the potential is there!

A. NEMO 33 Brussels
Illustrative plan: Travel over by car ( & Tunnel) on a Saturday, visit the 33m indoor pool 'Nemo 33' do about an hours diving (one dive) , all kit provided by Centre except swimming trunks & mask/snorkel. Then meal out on Saturday night . Bed & Breakfast , free time on Sunday morning and back to Blighty later that day. Or another combination of that!

1. Deborah M
2. Alan M
3. Chris P
4. Sue P
5. Tad
6. Sheila B
7. Ernie B
8. Simon T
9. Therese S
10. Linda T
11. Mandy G
12. Paul G
13. Sara
14. Debs
15. Debbie
16. Stuart
17.
18.

B. Portland
Day Trip to Portland to dive the wrecks inshore or in the Harbour. Either a Saturday or Sunday . Probably two boat dives. Probably in September or early October.

1. Chris P
2. Trekker
3. Ernie B
4. Simon T
5. Matt W
6. Therese S
7. Jim H
8.

Littlehampton Dive Trip ~ 2nd September

More good news! I have confirmed our booking of Copperhead II for two dives on Sunday 2nd September. The following divers are booked onto the trip:-

CONFIRMED:-
1. Chris P
2. Ernie B
3. Simon T
4. Matt W
5. Mandy G
6. Paul G
7. Andy N
8. Jim H

Full details of meeting & ropes-off times to follow with information on the two dive sites (1xWreck & 1xReef)

Outstanding Diving & BBQ !

The Meridian Divers Beach Dive and BBQ at West Beach, Newhaven was an outstanding success! The event was attended by nearly thirty people and many of the divers took advantage of flat blue seas and a gloriously sunny day. The water temperature at the deeper parts of the dives was a very warm 18DegC (even so some were in Dry Suits!) .

Dives times varied with the longest reaching nearly an hour. The visibility was good and withthe strong sunlight everyone had a super dive. The post-dive BBQ was well timed and the food was ready to go as soon as the divers had changed! Excellent!

Enriched Air Diver ~ Exam Success!

Congratulations to Phil , Simon & Linda on passing their PADI Enriched Air Specialty Diver Examination! Well done to all three of you , your marks showed that you had all put alot of effort into the knowledge development!

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:-

[. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]

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.

Swanage photographs

Meridian Divers Meeting ~ 27th June

Despite it being another atrocious June evening in terms of the rain a hardy ten divers attended the Meridian Divers meeting and dutifully worked there way through the agenda (thank you Shiela!).

Tad brought along samples of the new Meridian Divers Polo Shirts and the first orders were placed , if the weather ever lets us go diving I am sure we will look very smart!

PADI have contacted us over the rescue performed by Ernie B and have said that they will ensure the comments on the rescue will be entered entered into their recognistion programme. Again, well done Ernie , your rescue training paid-off!

I was pleased to report an unrelated meeting with the HSE Diving Inspector who has written to comment on the "outstanding documentation" that we now have in place under the Approved Codes of Practice. This documentation represents a complete re-write of the documentation that I previously used in training. The HSE have referred a copy of my health and safety presentation to PADI as the HSE are continually seeking to raise standards. PADI have written to me suggesting that I independently produce a training package on the HSE requirements. This is all very encouraging .

Simon gave a report on the Swanage Dive trip which is all set to be a dive trip in 2008 (just get the feeling the restuarants were part of the decision making there!!).

Meridian Divers are in the process of checking out some local swimming pools which can be used for training and practice. A check-out session is being arranged for 'members' next Wednesday evening and an email with details will be circulated. Meridian Divers now have access to a lot of diving equipment which will be a benefit.

Dives and social events were planned so even if the weather is poor we will have a busy schedule for the rest of the year.

Notes of the meeting will be circulated as soon as possible.

More on the MD polo Shirts

Hopefully this should please those in touch with their feminine side. The MD polo shirts are available in Cranberry/Pink & Red (& many other colours) and the HB121 Cranberry/Fuchia & Red

The Fuchia colour is a dark pink and comes in sizes 10-18. The darker colour will show up the logo better as the lettering is in white.

I will bring a sample of the logo to the meeting next week, but for now see above.

Tad

Next Meridian Divers Meeting

The next Meridian Divers meeting will be at the:

.

Berwick Inn

at

7.30pm on Wednesday 27th June

.

Looking forward to seeing you there !

Swanage Dive Trip

Well here it is .....that place of divers pilgrimage , the Pier at Swanage. Some would say that you cannot truly call yourself a UK diver until you have dived the Pier. Well that might be a load of ol'tosh but Swanage is a lovely week-end dive trip location. It's in ready striking distance from those living on or near the Merdian line on the south coast.

There are plenty of good B&Bs at reasonable prices, loads of places to eat, a pleasant bay, a promenade that meets most divers needs (good cheap food and drink!) and of course there is a diver centre with gas station actually on the Pier. The Pier has free trolleys to carry your dive kit and the dive boats tie-up a few yards from the dive centre. It's convenience diving!

Our trip (15th & 16th) turned out to be a great social but weather, last minute cancellations, equipment and other events took some of the shine of the diving ! Never one to be too concerned about my nosh I just happen to mention in passing that the Anchor Inn does a tasty dish of scallops and the Italian restaurant down the road presented a very enjoyable bowl of mussels in a white wine sauce!

Several of us stayed at Buddies B&B where hosts, Lesley & Jason looked after our needs with enthusiasm. They say they are diver friendly and they are! Here I go again .... the breakfasts were all you could possibly ask for ! Jason is a Divemaster and operates dive tours through his business http://www.scubadivingtours.co.uk/ . Interestingly Jason knows an old acquaintance of ours....Amro Shehata of the MV Valerie fame! Small world eh?

Personally my diving was limited to two dives on the Kyarra. Swanage's most famous wreck. During our stay divers were pulling up perfume bottles from the wreck just as they have been doing for decades, there seems to be plenty more to find! The second dive was better than the first and gave us a nice slow cruise from the bow to nearly the stern. Visibility was around 4m with our max depth at 28.7m. The sea conditions on surfacing from the second dive, on Sunday, were much better than Saturdays when it was almost possible to hide a dive boat between the waves.

It was good to see Sheila & Ernie on the trip but sad that four divers were unable to join us through events having booked. We certainly had a good time 'debriefing' the dives in the evening !