Wreck Dive ~ City of Brisbane Saturday 14th August

Oh dear Lord ... another early start! We started loading Seazones (Skipper Mick Luff) at 7.00am at Newhaven. Four seasoned divers from Essex, Mark, Paul,Terry & Tom together with Simon & myself. The sky was overcast but the sea very calm and we made our way in no time to the Brisbane, a quick kit-up & in plan. Bit of current still running as Simon & I were the first down. We tied-off the line and sent the shot up on a crack-bottled lifting bag. The vis was low , about a meter at tops but there was some light once your eyes adjusted and your lamps were on!

Pretty much a haphazard tour around the wreck , quite a few lobsters and some edible crabs plus loads of bib. We stumbled back to where we had tied the line off, the sacrificial line was just floating with the shot line missing! We later found out it had snapped on the third pairs descent but that they had still managed to find the wreck! Well done Paul & Terry!

After 55 mins we thought it was time to get back on board and enjoy the Seazones world famous (well East Sussex anyway) Scones and a cuppa!

Taking our refs we chugged across to Brighton (well nearly Shoreham) to drift dive on the Brighton Ledge. Again low vis but a fair dive which we all enjoyed, spent the first half sticking in on the ledge (loads of crabs and a BIG spotted wrasse) before just going with the current. As we ascended from another 50mins worth the skies over Brighton were brighter but very dark over Newhaven. And ! Low and behold it rained as we unloaded at Newhaven - cheers!

Wreck Dive ~ Oceana , BBQ & Airbourne 12th Augustt

Another great day out on 'Channel Diver' with skipper Steve Johnson. Mind you an early start, loading the boat at Sovereign Harbour at 6.30am (ouch!) . Calm seas with the promise of sunshine (er, false promise). We made good speed out to the Ocean and were kitted and ready to dive as soon as the shot line was down. Not the greatest of vis (what's new!) but a good long bimble about the wreck as it was a 8m tide on low. As we surfaced the skies were bright and the promise still looked good. After the surface interval we relocated for the hardy few to do a drift dive. In they went for a short while before buoys-up and back onboard! We then motored off to a point a few hundred metres off of the Eastbourne West Lawns beach to watch Airbourne 2010.

Off the beach the weather turned for the worse and it was largely overcast and breezy, Skipper Steve struggled with deck BBQ (every bit of heat was being blown away), but managed to find some lee and we got stuck-in whilst watching the aircraft antics. Amazing stuff , as ever, very impressive. Impressive too was Tad's long distance relationship with a blonde wing walker on top. Oh, on top of a Breitling bi-plane that is.

After the airshow we whizzed back to Sovereign Harbour , straight through the locks and unloaded before a rather pleasant pizza party at Sheila & Ernie's . Nice one you too , very enjoyable, even if I did spend much of my time in mortal unarmed combat with your Pattendale Terrier . Realising I was beaten I surrendered before I was finished-off by 'Take no prisoners Poppy'.

All-in-all a grand day out Grommet!

Oceana, Air Show and BBQ - 12th August 2010

Timings for Dive on 12th August from Eastbourne Marina.

Meet: 06:40
Ropes Off: 07:15

Don't forget to bring something for the B-B-Q on board.

Also, Pizza at Sheila & Ernie's on your return.

Laser Quest/Bowling - Tuesday 28th September

Next Laser Quest/Bowling Night is scheduled for Tuesday 28th September at Lloyds Lanes, Eastbourne. Cost for 1 game of Laser Quest and 2 bowling is £11.00

Please post a comment if you are coming.

[Date corrected!]

Fortuna Dive From Buccaneer 8th August

Early on Sunday I found myself aboard Buccaneer for a trip out to the Fortuna with the weather looking ok and the wind dropping there were only 4 of us diving so loads of space.

With me being the only MD on board, I teamed up with local diver Graham (who hadnt dived the Fortuna before) for the dive, and having dived the wreck a few weeks ago planned the route we would take once on the bottom.

On arriving at the site the vis looked a bit disapointing but a dive is a dive so we were soon in the water and heading down. When we reached bottom the vis was around 3-4m and quite dark but still acceptable.

The first thing that struck me were the amount of fish! the wreck was wall to wall with shoals of bib pollack and codling at times the shoals were so thick that they were blocking out what natural light there was.

We worked our way around the bow to the remains of the toilet and then cut across midships to the holds and the cement cargo where we were greeted by 2 Lobzillas standing their ground with their fist size claws. We then headed across the winches towards the stern but cut back across to the starboard side exploring the large holes in the hull.

We had agreed to do a small amount of deco but now it was soon time to head back up and decided to come back to shot to make our ascent.

Once on the surface, crewman Dave thrust his now famous Buccaneer coffee into our hands whilst skipper Chris made safe one of the lobzillas who hadnt escaped his clutches along with a crabzilla, someones eating well tonight.

On the way back to Shoreham we became aware of a diver rescue situation just off Brighton Marina with the coastguard helicopter winching the casualty. We hope there was a good outcome to this.

Another great trip out on Buccaneer thanks to Graham for diving with me and thanks to Skipper Chris Dave, Roger and John for another good humoured,comfortable and successful trip out, see you soon.

Tad

MD Christmas Dinner ~ Wed 15th December

An update on the previous MD Christmas Dinner posting ( Click HERE) :-

The MD meeting of 4th August decided that the Xmas Dinner will be held at The Gun, Gun Hill, Chiddingly , TN21 0JU on Wednesday 15th December.

Seating is limited 24 , so first come first served (er , literally!) . And, speaking of serving, The Gun has agreed at our request to add an option to the menu of Roast Beef.

Sue will be collecting deposits , £10 per person by 1st September, with the balance of £12pp by 3rd November. Menu choices are also required in advance and Sue will circulate those and note your preferences!

ESAC and Meridian Social Evening 24th August

Meridian Divers have been invited to a joint social evening with Eastbourne BSAC on Tuesday August 24th at The Soveriegn Sailing Club at Sovereign Harbour Eastbourne at 7.30pm
Be a chance to exchange diving yarns ,ideas and project plans for the future.

Please add to comments if you are able to make this asap.

Tad

Next MD Meeting ~ Wednesday 4th August

Hi y'all, the next MD meeting will be at 7.30pm at the Berwick Inn on Wednesday 4th August. Hope to see you there!

Spaces for Saturday on Buccaneer

Chris from Buccaneer has spaces for dive on Buccaneer Saturday morning earlyish start but that means you get back early

We have lots of space for the Quail trip on Sat a.m. (Leaving at 07-00hrs. Max depth to the seabed is 40m but most of the wreck stands up 4 to 6m so it's not too bad. Swim through different decl levels. She's upright on the seabed with the bow broken off and pointing upwards, about 10m away from the end of the hull.
Still bottles etc to be found on this wreck and although deepish to the seabed the wreck stands up enough to make it around 34-36m

Please post a comment asap if you're interested

Please note it is advised that you carry a minimum of a 15ltr cylinder and if you have a pony set up carry that as well.

Tad

Diving The Ramsgarth

Video from The Ramsgarth dive on Saturday 10th July from Buccaneer

Ramsgarth Dive from Buccaneer 10th July

with last weekends weather looking like classic diving weather I had nothing booked but that soon changed with a text from Chris West offering spaces on Buccaneer for a trip out to the wreck of the Ramsgarth. I hadnt dived the wreck before so I was definitely up for it. A quick txt out to the MD crew saw that with one exception Trez everyone was busy.

so 8am Saturday morning Tez and me loading our kit aboard Buccaneer and heading out to the wreck site. Banks of sea fog drifted across the sea but all was clear on the Ramsgarth. Shot in we were soon rolling over the side and heading down to the wreck.

Built in 1910 this 1.553 ton British Merchantman was sunk on the 28th November 1916. After she was captured she was sunk with explosives by the crew of UB-39.

Once on the wreck we swam of in the direction of the stern and were instantly struck by the huge shoals of bib and pollock that were so thick that at times blocked out the light. With the vis around 5m we swam across a huge cargo winch and came up on the remains of the propshaft tunnel which was pretty much intact.

We were soon at the stern which although was laying on its side still towered above us covered in deadmans fingers. We retraced our dive back to the shot and headed of towards midships and the boilers but time was running out and so was homebody's air.

We found our way back to the shot and started up towards the surface to do our stops.

Once back on Buccaneer the fog decided to come in and with 2 divers still in the water in was all hands to keep watch but the fog drifted off and was well gone before the last 2 surfaced right next to the shot.

Heading back to port we did a slight detour the collect an anchor from the Pentrych which was lost by a fisherman. Divers on a Thursday night dive with Chris (Simon was on that one) had found it and tied a line to it to which Chris had attached a buoy. Chris and Tapsa went in and bagged the anchor and sent it up I think the fisherman owes him a drink.

Another great dive thanks to Chris for the spaces and as always cant wait for the next one.

Video to follow

Tad

Meridian Divers Xmas Dinner 2010 ~ Wednesday 15th December

We are in the process of identifying where this years Xmas Dinner will be located, several options are being researched as per the last MD meeting.

I have circulated specific details on the following locations:-

1) The Gun at Gun Hill

2) The Sussex Ox at Milton Street

More will follow. In due course it would be useful if MDers made comments on their preferred location , by adding a comment or emailing me!

Diving The Wreck of The Keryado

Diving the wreck of the Keryado from Buccaneer on the 4th July

Dry Dive - 6th July Newhaven Arm

To take advantage of the warm weather and calm seas Ernie and I decided to try a shore dive from Newhaven West Arm on Tuesday 6th July.

Unfortunately when we arrived we could immediately see the water was coffee coloured (probably due to the dredger out in the bay).

In line with Ernie's TDI training we decided not to proceed as it would have not been appropriate to dive in such poor visibility. Maybe 3rd time lucky.

Sheila

Kerrygo/Keryado Dive 4th of July from Buccaneer

The forecast was for strong winds on Sunday but Buccaneer Skipper Chris West thought that we may still be able to get out and dive before the wind picked up too much. Texts early Sunday morning confirmed that we wre going diving and the go ahead to meet at Shoreham was sent out. The plan was to dive a wreck Kerrygo but there is nothing listed on this, the nearest match was HMS Keryado but the marks for this are listed a lot further East.

TWSAC member Rob King dived the listed marks earlier in the week and believed that it was not an armed trawler like the Keryado but maybe the George Sutton. So with this info we looked forward to seeing if it was a Trawler and indeed the Kerryado.

Boat loaded, MD members Phil, Simon and myself were joined by Tony from Rother Diving Club on for the trip out with Skipper Chris and crew Dave and Roger. With only four of us diving there was stacks of room and the sea, although a little choppy, was still along way off of being uncomfortable for the hours journey out to the site. Skipper Chris decided that the conditions were looking so good that he would go in first and tie-off the shot which left a very envious Roger out of action with an ear infection in charge up top.

With the shot in and Chris down, Tony and I were soon rolling over the side and heading down to the wreck which sits in between 34m and 38m. The Keryado is listed in as being an Admiralty requesitioned trawler built in 1920 and sunk by a mine on March 6th 1941, originally a French minesweeper (ironic that) she was taken over by the Navy in 1940.

We landed on the very impressive bow that stretches up about 4-5m from the bottom at 38m, it was covered in deamans fingers, which would provide a great photo opportunity on a good day. The vis was around 6-8m with plenty of light. We worked our way from the bow when Tony spotted a big edible crab and with thoughts of that's ' supper sorted' then scooped it out from under the hull, but on closer inspection she was full of berry so she was saved from a hot steamy demise by her future offspring. On the way we passed Phil waiting for Simon at the bottom of the shot, quick exchange of 'OK' signals, things were fine and Simon was just coming into view.

Dive Sussex lists the wreck as being well broken-up but the hull looked pretty intact to me. We worked our way to the stern over hatch covers, winches and what looked like a gun mounting although there was no sign of the gun. At the stern the sand had built up to just below the hull with the rudder and prop just poking out of the top at around 34m. We swam back towards midships where Tony released the SMB whilst fighting a lanyard with a life of its own.

With 7 minutes of deco time we were kept amused by a jelly fish and a little fish darting in and out of its tentacles looking for cover. Once back on the surface the sea had started to get a little choppy but not bad enough to make boarding Buccaneer a little more interesting. During the trip back the wind increased and the sea got progressively choppier, we were glad there was only the one dive, although a certain hardcore group did get out on the club rib in the afternoon, RESPECT, guys. Another great day out with Chris West's Buccaneer and crew of Roger and Dave. When's the next one Chris? It just gets better. Thanks Chaps.

Video to follow

Tad

Oceana, Air Show and BBQ - 12th August 2010

There a two spaces with Channel Diver available on the Oceana/Airshow/BBQ out of Eastbourne on Thursday 12th August.

Please contact Steve at Channel Diver if you are interested.

TWSAC Blog

As some of you know I am also a member of TWSAC (Tunbridge Wells Sub Aqua Club)
Club member Rob King otherwise known Wob has put together a blog after seeing MD Blog and the ease which members can contibute to a blog rather than a standard website
Take a peep its still early days but methinks Rob is doing a great job


http://www.twsac.blogspot.com/

Tad

Return To The Wreck Of The Fortuna

Video Clips from Fortuna Dive last Saturday from Sea Zones

Wreck Dive: Kerrygo from Buccaneer ~ Sunday 4th July

It looks like we are going to dive a wreck called the Kerrygo around 14 miles outsits in around 36m to the bottom havent dived this before skipper Chris reckons this is a really nice dive and wants to make sure we have a great dive hence this wreck.There is also the option for a second dive please let me know if you want to do this or just the 1 dive. With neap tides and flat seas now for nearly 2 weeks fingers crossed for a good one

8.30 ropes off

Divers so far
Chris P
Simon
Tony Skipps
Nikki H
Phil
Tad

Red Sea Oil Spills ~ Update

An update on the oil spill can be viewed HERE. There is a short video (or three) on You Tube, click HERE.

And on Arab Tube TV there is some pictures and video ... sadly my Arabic is not good enough to give a better account, click HERE for the link to the video news.

Next MD Meeting ~ Wednesday 7th July

Just a reminder about the next MD meeting , same time , same place as usual! Agenda to be sent out soon! Honest!

Gold Class Service

As mentioned in a previous post this weekend saw me embarking on the dive section of a TDI course. This endeavour was not without its problems. On opening the tanks on my twin sets my primary regulator (just been serviced) was free flowing like Niagra Falls. My intial thought was damn, damn and double damn as I struggled to stop the flow by judiciously thumping the second stage. This proved futile so I was about to give up and thinking I would be spending the day topping up my tan on Seazones dive boat, but oh no, up jumps Ian Hanness (TDI Instructor) who pulls out of his dive box a full dive technicians tool kit. He then proceeded to strip down my first and second stages and declared the interstage pressure was off the scale. With lots of fiddling he managed to stop the flow, so I was able to continue with my dives.

On return to Port at 16.30 I phoned Ocean View to find out what time they closed. The answer was 17:00, but to my deepest gratitute Graham said no problem get here when you can and I will wait for you. Once I got my regultor and tanks to him at 17:30, the tanks were then Nitrox filled and whilst this was being done Graham stripped down my regulator with his engineer on the other end of the phone giving him step by step instructions and as suspected he found the problem was a grooved high pressure seat. This was replaced and the regulator was set up again and is now working perfectly.

I would like to say what wonderful service this was from Ian and Graham which saved my weekends diving/training.

Thanks Guys.

Ernie

Cancelled - B-B-Q 4th July 2010

Due to the change in schedule of 'Bucaneer' from Eastbourne to Shoreham we have decided the B-B-Q is no longer viable so it has had to be cancelled, but never fear we will set a new date (Ernie is waiting to try out his new pinny)

Fortuna Dive 26th June from Sea Zones

I hadn't planned to dive on Saturday as I was hoping to get out on Sunday but other commitments for Sunday left me desperate to make the best of the flat sea's and hot weather. I had noticed on Friday night that Mick Luff had some spaces still left on Seazones for Saturday so a quick phone call bagged a couple of spaces on the hope I could fill the other space Ernie was also booked on to do his first dives of his TDI course. After TXTing out Trez came back first and filled the space apologies to everyone else this was a last minute thing so the spaces couldn't be advertised on the blog.

A perfect day flat calm a real cherry of a diving day got me licking my lips with anticipation. a fire in Newhaven made the journey in a bit frustrating as all the roads were closed and traffic was being diverted but got there in the end.

Boat loaded and we headed out to the Fortuna an old favourite. When we arrived another boat had dropped a shot as was disgorging a deck full of divers "that's the vis gone then" I thought. Soon we were kitted up and it was a relief to get into the water and down the shot. Once on the wreck the vis was a little disappointing being around 4-5m but still acceptable with plenty of light.

We headed to the stern and the steering quadrant and I was hit by how much the wreck is broken up since my last visit. Swinging around the stern we cut back into midships and the holds still stacked full of bags of cement.

We then had a little episode of underwater kit adjustment for Trez before heading towards the bow through the shoals of Bib and Pollack. It was soon time to think about ascending and Trez sent her SMB up but the reel jammed so she had to release it and I sent mine up instead.

Once back on board it was time to tuck into Micks now legendary Seascones and head of towards Birling Gap for a drift but on arrival the water colour was looking very off colour and we opted out of the drift but Ernie and the tekkie team went in to do some skills and guess what a minute later they popped back up not being able to see their hands in front of their faces, although 2 other divers who had travelled down from Bedfordshire decided to dive it out for at least 30 minutes tied together on a buddy line god knows what they were looking at.

Diving over we headed back to Newhaven for a drink and a chat and to find that Newhaven was still closed due to the earlier fire so getting out was very slow going.

Summer is well and truly here England are out of the World Cup but Sussex still offers world class diving. Bring It On.

Video to follow.

Tad

Buccaneer Dive Sunday 4th July Changes

Next Sundays Dive from Eastbourne on Buccaneer has had to be changed for commercial reasons. Chris West Buccaneer Skipper apologises for this but we can still dive from Shoreham 8.30am ropes off BBQ to follow at Sheila's and Ernies after.
on the boat so far
Chris P
Simon
Ernie
Tad
If anyone else is interested please let me know asap depth will probablly around the 30m mark dive site TBC

Tad

Post Dive Barbie - 4th July 2010

Sheila & Ernie are having a post dive Barbie on the 4th July 2010 (time to be confirmed).

Everyone is invited. All you need to bring is any alcoholic drinks you may want, we will supply food and soft drinks.

Can you please let us know by posting a comment or email if you are coming and with how many.

Sheila & Ernie

Red Sea Oil Spills !

Thank you to Simon for pointing out this worrying story about big oil spills on the Egyptian coast at Hurghada (and area). Click HERE for the the link.

Any large oil spill in such an area may have a very major impact on the environment and also tourism.

We will 'watch this space' for more information on impact and the areas effected. Marsa Alam is approx 150 miles South of Hurghada.

Clodmore Dive 12th June from Buccaneer

Trez and Tad the MD contigent joined Ocean View divers for a merry jaunt out the wrecks of the Clodmore and Inverclyde aboard the good ship Buccaneer. The sun was shining and the sea was flat the sea gods were smiling.

An hour out saw Captain Chris dropping the shot and soon we were all walking the plank for a jaunt down to Davy Jones Locker and his bedfellow the wreck of the Clodmore. Trez and me teamed up with OV dive chick Hels and descended the 27m to the bottom where we met with the usual suspects Barry Bib and Jackson Pollack. The vis was a grainy 3-4m but with plenty of light conditions were acceptable for a quick mooch along the upturned part of the hull before returning to a higher part of the wreck to release the blob and assend for a jug of the hot grogg.

We soon relocated to the site of the inverclyde and as the tide was running and we were on springs we did not expect anything special.Hels soon got fed up of playing flags on the line and indicated she was going to surface (good move Hels)whilst Trez and me drop down into the wreck to release the shot for Chris and send it up on the bag.A quick scout around we had soon had enough of fighting the current and popped back up where the rest of the team had eaten all the pies.

Another great day out with the ever jovial crew of Skipper Chris and Roger The Cabin boy and the Ocean view guys.

Reports from my TWSAC contacts indicate that there was 10m vis on the The wreck of the Mohlen Pries in 38m a bit further out on Sunday so get ready boys and girls the Plankton has gone and the vis is picking up.

Tad

Bowling & Laser Quest ~ 8th June

MDers warmed-up for the MD Bowling Championship with a Laser Quest session, that got us all running round like kids playing cowboys & indians , well it WAS a birthday party too! And, there was a cake for birthday girl Tracey, we started to put candles on the cake and after a while realised the cake wasn't big enough!! But she's just youngster in MD! We were joined on the 'Green Team' by two lads , no doubt whose energy brought triumph for the Team ... well done all!

Then came the serious business of hand to hand combat on the lanes! Well, hand to ball, in any case. Some 'Turkey's' were evident , that's three consecutive strikes, but Tracey had an unfair advantage ... she said she could see twenty pins at the end of each lane , but wasn't sure which ten she should aim for! That's one of the downsides of Performance Un-enhancing drugs , well red wine in any case!

It was a really good laugh and helped us all keep our dive fitness up to scratch ... well sort of!

Dirty Diving ~ Pro Diving Not Always Glamorous !

Saw this article on the BBC web site ... some UK diving, not in the clear, blue or warm waters that tend to make it in the diving magazines. Click HERE!

Meridian Divers in Malta part2.mpg

Part 2 Of Malta Trip will start work on part 3 asap

The 'Trick' of White Balance

Here are two 'version' of the same shot of yours truly diving on a small wreck in Tenerife. The shot was taken on a camera (mine) that doesn't have an underwater white balance function. The 'blue' version is 'as taken' , the second version is after colour has been adjusted by a white balance process undertaken after the shot (on a PC).

Laser Quest/Bowling - Tuesday 8th June

Laser Quest is booked for 19.40. Meet at Lloyds Lane 19:30 sharp.

Cost for Laser Quest and Two games of bowling is £10.00 per person.

MD Meeting of 2nd June

The notes of the MD meeting of 2nd June have been circulated by email , please add a comment if you haven't received them!

Poppy gets off to a flying start.

See meridian-mutts.blogspot.com/ for report

Next MD Meeting ~ Wednesday 2nd June

Just a reminder that the next meeting will be at the Berwick Inn on Wednesday 2nd June at 7.30pm. The agenda is being sent out! Let me know if you don't receive a copy!

This will be an opportunity to share Malta Dive Trip photos! So bring your memory sticks / drives!

More Malta Images

Just a few photos from our Malta Trip.

OOOHH !! I do like a good picture show

HMS Moari

This ones for Trez

El Un Faroud

Hope you enjoy these

Ernie

Bloom monster alert

On Sunday 23rd May, Ernie & I looked at the perfect weather, perfect flat calm sea and decided it would be a perfect opportunity to do a perfect shore dive at Newhaven West Arm.

After a perfect entry we found arhh !!! the bloom has well and truly started. The viz was perfectly awful, couldn't even read our gauges and after 10 minutes made a perfect exit.

Sheila

Buddy please 29th May

Hi guys. Anyone fancy buddying up with me on Saturday 29th May? Ropes off 10:15 from Shoreham for a 30m dive on the Cairndhu. Places are available with Ocean View £30.00.
Please let me know soonest as I have been granted a pass!!

Meridian Divers Malta May 2010 1st Day Dives.mpg

Laser Quest/Bowling - Tuesday 8th June

Can you please post a comment or email with names and numbers by the 26th if you are coming to the Laser Quest/Bowling night at 19.30 on Tuesday 8th June at the David Lloyd Lanes, Eastbourne.

Many thanks

Sandals/Beaches 2 for 1 offer

The Mail on Sunday is again carrying a 2 for 1 promotion for Sandals/Beaches 2010 and 2011 holidays in the Caribbean.

These resorts are fully inclusive and allow you 2 boat dives per day and all watersports.

We went to Turks and Caicos last year and had the most fantastic holiday and 20 pefect dives.

We have booked to go to the Bahamas next February. Why not get your credit cards out and join us !

For further information please see the Sunday Mail or log onto www.sandals.co.uk or www.beachesresorts.co.uk or give us a ring.

Sheila & Ernie

MD Girlies Night

The MD Girlies Night is 'on hold' pending a new date as it seems they all have very full diaries and need to find a 'free' evening.

Brighton Boat Dives ~ Sussex Scuba

Club members have now booked up for the hard boats and there are still a few places left. Once again we will be sailing from Brighton on the Brighton Diver with Paul Dyer. As we have booked a few RIB divers for novices we are hoping that we will be able to go to some different and slightly more challenging dives this year.

The cost is the same as last year and we will need a deposit to secure a place.

Dates are as follows:-

Date	Sail times	Total Places	Cost
8th Aug	8.30am	12	£40
12th Sept	7.15am	12	£40
17th Oct	1.30pm	12	£40
7th Nov	9.30am	12	£40

Times quoted are times to be on the boat.

If you would like to book on any of these could you please get back to us as soon as possible.

Derek Lancaster

01342 312622

www.sussexscuba.co.uk

Malta Dive Trip ~ Marine Life

A few of our Malta Dive Trip marine life members:-

Oh, and lets not forget the Maltese Swimming Spaniel!!!

Diving Malta with MD ~ The Dives

I am sure we are going to see a lot of posts on the Malta Dive Trip (12th to 19th May 2010) which was a great week with plenty of good diving (despite the Med's attempt to blow Malta away) and good company. So this post is just the tip of the iceberg and just sets the scene!

The nine strong MD Team (with two non-divers) :-

Sheila & Ernie

Tad & Nicki

Simon & Linda

Therese

Chris & Sue

The MD Dining Team (Photo by Ernie)

The Deep Blue Dive Centre Crew:-

Johnathon & John (Owners)

Sid & Neill (Instructor/Guides)

Bruce (Dive Centre Hound)

Sid points in the general direction of the Um El Faroud wreck!

Neill pretends to enjoy Tad's animated singing

Click for The Deep Blue Diving Centre

The Dives (and illustrative details):

1). The wreck of the ROZI, Max depth 36.3m , 43 Minutes

2). Cirkewwa Reef & swim-throughs , Max depth 20.1m, 53 minutes

3). The 'Two Tugs' Wrecks , Max depth 21.6m, 50 minutes

4). The wreck of the Barge @ Valleta, Max depth 22.6m, 56 minutes

5). Reef near Um El Faroud , Max depoth 28.7m ,35 minutes

6). Wreck of HMS Maori, Max depth 14.3m, 59 minutes

7). Wreck of Um El Faroud , Max depth 26.8m, 42 minutes

8). Reef near Um El Faroud ( Stern & single deck penetration) Max depth 29m, 39 minutes

9). Wreck of Um El Faroud (Three Deck Penetration) , Max depth 30.2m, 44 minutes

10). Wreck of Um El Faroud (Bow) , Max depth 26.2m, 46 minutes

MD Malta Dive Trip ~ May 2010

The MD Malta tour is over and we are on the way back. Watch this space for the hottest news, gossip, film and pictures from the tour!

Wreck Dive ~ Blanefield (Early Morning) ~ 9th May

It's 4 am and I have just got up from a perfectly warm bed to find a a dark grey overcast sky stiff North-Easter and I am questioning my sanity in that I am heading down to Newhaven to join the TWSAC RIB for a jaunt out to the wreck of the Blanefield due to leave at 7am. Jools had reported that there had been great vis on the Braunton and Ashford earlier in the week so hopes were high that it had been worth the early start this morning.

Arriving at Newhaven its deserted apart from Rob and Jools preparing the RIB and their kit,
kit loaded we head out of the harbour for the very bumpy and cold ride out to the wreck site.

With the wreck located Rob and myself kitted up and down the line to the wreck in crystal clear water around 15m vis but the overcast skies and the early hour meant that the water was a little dark though you could get away with out a torch.

We tied off just below the bow and set off to explore . Massive shoals of bib & pollack parted like a living curtain as we meandered across the wreck. I hadn't seen the bow of the Blanefield on a previous dive but it stands at least 6m up from the sea bed and looked very pretty covered in Deadmans fingers in the eerie green light.

We allowed ourselves 7 minutes of deco before deploying an SMB and headed back up to the surface. My sedentary winter soon became obvious when I tried to climb back onto the rib and struggled miserably some serious gym time is needed Mr T. Jools then popped in for his dive whilst Rob and I got stuck into his leek and potato soup , thanks Jools.

So was it worth the early start and the biting cold on the RIB ride out ? Oh yes it certainly was, and even though I am looking forward to the Malta trip in a few days time my biggest enthusiasm for diving still belongs with the channel wrecks and todays dive was no exception.

Thanks to Rob and Jools for the invite and the company.

Dive stats:
Depth 31.5m
Time 35 minutes
Gas air
Water temp 9.c
Vis 15m

Tad

MD Meeting of 5th May 2010

A very sociable gathering at the regular (Berwick Inn), Hon Sec Sheila will be circulating notes very soon, may be even before the mass exodus (well, nine of us in any case) to Malta! The actions from the previous meeting were followed-up and many dives & activities are now nicely shaping up into plans. Another dive trip, to Marsa Alam will now take place in November as per the circulations from the previous meeting.

Wreck Dive ~ Sunday 9th May 2010

I have spaces for a buddy pair for a dive this Sunday. The wreck is not decided,but will be around 30m max depth. Ropes off at 12:45.

If you are interested text/call 07729 277651 or drop me an e-mail

Mick Luff
Sea-Zones boat charter(Newhaven)

Wreck Dives ~ Saturday 8th May 2010

Graeme From Ocean View has some spare spaces this Saturday 8th May on Bucanneer
to dive the wrecks of the

Nyeastere Depth 27m 61 ton sunk 1980 not much info on this.

Followed by the wreck of the
City of London depth around 23m the wreck lies upside down.

Ropes off 11.15 from Shoreham Sailing club cost £35 pretty good value methinks, plus Bucanneer is a great little boat, with a spot on friendly crew.

If you're interested contact Graeme at Ocean View

Go Ape ~ Sunday 5th September 2010

I've booked Go Ape for Sunday 5TH SEPTEMBER at 11.30. I've booked for the maximum number of people which is 14. We have to confirm numbers two weeks before and pay in full 10 days before, so we've still got plenty of time. If, by any chance, people think we should make it 10.30 instead of 11.30 just let me know and I'll change it.

Linda

Next MD Meeting ~ Wednesday 5th May

Just a reminder that the next meeting will be at the Berwick Inn on Wednesday 5th May at 7.30pm. The agenda is being sent out! Let me know if you don't receive a copy!

Persier Boilers Video ~ 25th April 2010

Simon explores the boilers on the wreck of the Persier:-

Sovereign Pool Session ~ 27th April

The MD pool session at the Sovereign Centre was both a fun and practical hour. The dive pool is quite large and sufficiently deep for scuba diving and skills practice. A chance to do some of those things you will only ever do in a pool, like kit exchange and buddy breathing with an orange-coloured manekin! OK you never need to do that!

At the pool we met Dustin and a team from Planet Divers and talked about some sharing arrangements , such as future pool sessions and use of the Planet Divers RIB. Definitely some good ideas as well as a relaxed skills rehearsal. I think we'll be doing again!

Scylla Video ~ 24th April 2010

Plymouth Diving ~ 24th & 25th April

Just back from wild west that is Plymouth after four dives with Simon courtesy of South West Diving. Given our poor success rate in travelling down to Devon & Cornwall in the recent past only to find cancelled dives, this trip was outstanding! It is a heck of a way to travel four four dives, (quicker to go to Egypt, if you take the route I did!) but we were rewarded with some great dives and pretty good weather!

We dived from "Top Gun" (formerly operating out of Weymouth) a hard boat with a diver lift, which was skippered by Gary. Gary had two crew who were exceptionally helpful. Hot drinks were on tap, and surface intervals were filled with hot cornish pasties, yes...I ate all the pies!

Dive 1 was on the Scylla, some years since I last dived this wreck and it is a far better dive now that it has good marine life on it , mainly plumrose anemones ...but loads of them. Still few large fish. the viz for the whole week-end was good at least 6m at the worst, but the dives were cool at 9/ 10 degrees C. We made 49 minutes on the Scylla with a max depth of 24m.

Dive 2 was on the James Egan Layne (predictable first two dives eh?). A similar time & depth , 45 minutes and 23 metres. A lot of large wrasse on this wreck and , of course plenty to see. I found the head of a pick axe amongst what appeared to be a lot of scrap iron. I was tempted to raise it and make a working tool out of it , but in the end tucked back in the wreck after a photo or two.

Dive 3 was on the flattened wreck of the Persier. Lying in deeper water we made 42 minutes with a drop of Nitrox at a max depth of 27m. Lots of male Cuckoo Wrasse on this wreck, very colourful fish. The highlight feature was finding the intact boilers which became a useful perch from which to launch the DSMB at the end of the dive.

Dive 4 was a drift dive on Mewstone Reef. Not all on the boat did the fourth dive (no wreck - see!) but it was their loss. It was good vis , possibly 10m and the underwater landscape was quite beautiful. The highlight of this dive was some quality time with a shark , well a good sized Dog Fish (of the shark family!) . The max depth on this dive was 19m and after 43 minutes the fingers were again getting cold.

Pool Session Sovereign Centre, Eastbourne ~ Tuesday 27th April

Just a reminder that the Pool is booked on Tuesday 27th April between 20:00 and 21:00. Meet approx 19:30 to get kitted up. Cost £5.00 per person.

See you there.

Laser Quest & Bowling ~ Tuesday 8th June

One game of Laser Quest and two games of bowling at the David Lloyd Lanes is £11.00 per person. If you are interested in joining us on the 8th June please post a comment.

Vulcano Ash

OK everyone, its time to start crossing your fingers , well at least those of you on the Malta Dive Trip of 12th May. It's not long away now and the backlog of displaced travellers is going to take some time to sort out even if the vulcano behaves! I have rung the Royal Navy to see if they have anything going to Malta in May but apparently the pedalos have packed-up and the RN are fully booked to provide cover for the summer season at Butlins.

Diving The wreck of the Indiana April 18th 2010

Indiana Dive Sunday 18th April

After the Easter diving had been cancelled I was getting itchy fins for my first sea dive of the year . Come up trumps Ocean View who had a space on Chris West's Buccaneer and as I was already down on the coast for the weekend I jumped at the chance to join the OV guys on their trip out to the wreck of the Indiana about 1.5 miles off Worthing, I had never dived this wreck before and as this would be an easy dive, conditions allowing, it would give me the chance to get the camera in for the first time this year.

I like Buccaneer a lot there is a real old fashioned charm about it. Skippered by Chris with Dave as Crew, we left shoreham in warm sunshine and flat calm seas hoping that the vis would be at least a couple metres, Chris had been out on Saturday and they had dived the City of London with a very dark and silty 1-2m vis but at least with the Indiana being very shallow there should be plenty of light.

About 45 minutes later we arrived over the wreck which only lies in 11m of water and the shot was dropped in and me being given the job of tying in I was soon kitted along with Nigel and popped in and down. Guess what we were blessed with around 8-1om horizontal vis and top to bottom vis wow.

Now I wouldn't really call the the Indiana a wreck dives cos there really isn't much that is recognisable as a ship its all completely broken up and flattened more like a reef,but what the Indiana lacks in being a good wreck it more than makes up for in life. With large shoals of bib and pollack following you around, some very large wrasse and some very very large congers, lying under the collapsed plates kept us more than interested for 68 minutes when it was the cold and the strengthening tide that forced us to leave the bottom and head back up the awaiting Buccaneer and hot coffee.

All the divers on board had a great dive. This is the perfect dive for those first ventures out into open water for the inexperienced and even for those with a few years and pounds under our belts there is still enough to keep you interested.

Thanks to Ocean View for the offer of the space and their divers for making me welcome. Thanks to Chris West and Dave from Buccaneer for another great trip out I'll be back soon.

Video to follow shortly

Wreck Dive ~ Sunday 25th April 2010

Hi All,

I have 2 spaces available for a Wreck and Drift dive on Sunday the 25th of a April. The plan is to dive a 20m Wreck and then follow with a Drift dive. Ropes of is a lazy 2:15pm

If you fancy a dive Text or ring 07729 277651 or drop me an E-Mail.

If this date does not fit then take a look at my website diary. I still have weekend dates available, including this weekend that has a great forecast !!!!

Hear from you soon

Mick Luff Sea-Zones boat charter(Newhaven) Tel 07729 277651
www.sea-zones.co.uk

Red Sea Dive Trip ~ November 2010 (Date TBC)

As promised , I am researching some options:-

Option 1a. Marina Lodge, Marsa Alam
Some of us have used this Hotel a few times, it has a built-in dive centre and dive boats (day diving) moor right alongside the hotel grounds. I'm not impressed with the immediate cost estimate from Scuba Travel (I think there will be MUCH better deals) .... "As a Rough estimation you would be looking to pay around £975 per person with the group discount of 10 % this price would include Gatwick flights transfers and 7 nights Half Board basis with a 5 day diving package (boat dives )".
UPDATE: Scuba Travel have come back with revised figures:-
Rates both from the Marina lodge and from the Airlines if you were to depart on the 10/11/10 the times would be as follows ~

LGW SSH
09:20 16:55

SSH LGW
17:55 21:55

All of the prices would be based on 2 sharing on a half board basis for the divers the cost would be £775 and for the non-divers the cost would be £615 ( both of these prices are subject to availability).

Option 1b. Marina Lodge, Marsa Alam
Same as Option 1a above but with Longwood Holidays. It seems their prices are £1270 FOR TWO, but excluding diving. 10 boat dives with Emperor are £205 (good price). This equates to £840 per diver and £635 for a non-diver (subject to any hidden charges I haven't yet found!)

Option 2. (Concept Only!) St Johns, Liveaboard.
London Scuba are promoting a Southern Red Sea Trip in September (wrong months - hence concept only! £1095 per person on Sea Serpent. Not everyone is a liveaboard lover (many are!) . For more info CLICK HERE. It's an option to see if they will run this trip in November.

Update 22nd May:

All plans on hold , not sure on who's 'in' and who's not!

Portland Dive Trip ~ Sunday 13th June

Good News MDers!

I have had the following response from Fathom & Blues Dive Centre :-

"You’ve picked the best weekend in June for 30m dives – well done you! I’d recommend the following: -

1). 10.00 departure for the M2 – complete submarine at 34m
2). 15.30 departure for the Aeolian Sky – HUGE cargo ship in 30m

Costs are £30 per person for the M2 and £30 for the Sky.
Do you need accommodation at all – we have the bunkhouse at £15 pp if you need it."

(i.e. £60 for two dives)
I think some of use will travel down the night before for a spot of R&R and B&B before the dive day! I have dived both of these wrecks before ... they are worth the trip!

Add a comment or email me if you are a "Yes Please!"

Pool Session - Sovereign Centre, Eastbourne

Eastbourne Sovereign Centre Pool has been booked for Tuesday 27th April between 20:00 and 21:00. Meet at approx. 19:30. Entry is through door at left side of the building.

Anyone intending to come along please add a comment ASAP, so we can gauge numbers. Cost per person is £5.00. Any profit above hire of pool will go to MD funds. Please be careful with your equipment ( e.g. no standing tanks (always laid on there side, when not on your back and be careful with your weights)

Ernie

Learning to Swim?

Being able to swim is not too surprisingly and important prerequisite to learning to dive , mind you it's pretty much a life skill that everyone should have. For details on swimming lessons available in Seaford click on this link EASY-SWIM

Meridian Divers Meeting ~ 7th April 2010

The MD meeting had a good attendance , anyone would think the UK season is starting to wake-up! I know, I know, it's a 12 month season, yeah, OK! It was good to welcome Philip to the meeting and pick his brains about his last year's visit to Malta , not least as we aresoon off to there ourselves!

Quite a lot of business discussed and some how amongst the competing voices our Hon Sec Sheila has managed to capture the outcomes, at least I hope she has! Full notes tobe circulated later but in the meantime , the following was covered:-

a). Return visit to Sovereign Divers.
b). The Malta Dive Trip (May)
c). Report on the Kent Lake Dive
d). Boat Dives cancelled due to weather (er, did I say it was a 12mth season?)
e). Buccaneer Dive & BBQ planned for 4th July.
f). The Air Show Dive (12/8/10)
g). Pool Sessions on 27/4/10 and another in October TBC)
h). Go Ape session at Leeds Castle in September.
i). Christmas Dinner Competitions (provisional dater 15/12/10)
j). Underwater Film Festival
k). Portland Trip 13/6/10 TBC
l). Seaford Beach dive & BBQ in August TBC
m). Possible return visit to Hyperbaric Chamber (for those who have not been)
n). Possible return trip to NEMO 33 in January 2011
o). Plans for a Red Sea Trip in November 2010
p). Girlies Night Out on 23/5/10
q). Bowling & Laser Quest on 8/6/10
r). Dive Book & other dive stuff swap shop (at meetings).

So just a few things on the go!

Channel Diver ~ Charter Dive Boat Dates 2010

APRIL
Thursday 8th Brighton Unknown Sailing Ship 10.30am away 48mtrs £55
Friday 9th Brighton UNKNOWN WRECK TRIMIX 63 13.00 £45
Saturday 10th Brighton CITY OF WATERFORD 34 08.00 £45
Saturday 10th Brighton ARISTOS 58 13.30 £45
Friday 16th Brighton HMS KERRYADO 39 11.00 £45
Saturday 17th Brighton PENTRYCH 24 12.00 £45
Sunday 18th Brighton CITY OF LONDON 26 07.00 £45
Sunday 18th Brighton FORTUNA 32 12.30 £45
Monday 19th Brighton GERLEN 50 07.30 £45
Wednesday 21st Brighton TYCHO 33 09.00 £45
Thursday 22nd Brighton WARILDA 50 08.30 £55
Monday 26th Brighton CLODMORE 27 09.00 £45
Wednesday 28th Brighton TR THOMPSON 34 09.30 £45
Friday 30th Brighton INDIANA & PIER 12 08.00 £45

MAY
Sunday 2nd Brighton CITY OF WATERFORD 34 13.00 £45
Tuesday 4th Brighton QUAIL 40 08.00 £45
Wednesday 5th Brighton DUKE OF BUCCLEUGH 58 08.00 £50
Monday 10th Brighton ASHFORD 42 07.30 £45
Wednesday12th Brighton INVERCLYDE 20 09.30 £45
Friday 14th Brighton LALEN MENDI 25 09.30 £50
Monday 17th Brighton STEAM TRAWLER 16 07.00 £45
Wednesday 19th Eastbourne UC65 German Submarine 43 08.15 £50
Thursday 20th Eastbourne CHATEAU MARGEAUX 37 07.45 £55
Friday 21st Eastbourne SEAFORD FERRY 46 10.15 £50
Monday 31st Brighton FORTUNA 33 13.00 £45

JUNE
Tuesday 1st Brighton HMS MINION 46 08.00 £45
Monday 14th Brighton INDIANA & PIER 12 10.00 £45
Tuesday 15th Brighton PENTRYCH 24 07.00 £45
Wednesday 16th Brighton TYCHO 33 07.00 £45
Thursday 17th Brighton RAMSGARTH 25 08.00 £45
Friday 18th Brighton new mark MOLDAVIA AREA 50 07.30 £45
Monday 28th Eastbourne ALAUNIA 36 11.15 £45
Wednesday 29th Eastbourne FRUCKNER 30 07.15 £45
Thursday 30th Eastbourne VILLE DE BORDEAUX 44 07.45 £45 JULY
Monday 26th Eastbourne OCEANA 25 10.45 £45
Tuesday 27th Eastbourne MOHLEN PRIX 30 10.45 £45

AUGUST
Monday 9th Brighton BRAUNTON 36 09.00 £45
Tuesday 10th Brighton TR THOMPSON 34 09.30 £45
Wednesday 11th Eastbourne ALAUNIA Cunard Liner 30 10.45 £45
Thursday 12th Eastbourne OCEANA + AIRSHOW + BBQ 24 07.15 £50
Friday 13th Eastbourne THE TWINS + AIRSHOW+ BBQ 44 07.15 £50
Monday 16th Brighton NORTHEASTER 44 09.00 £45
Monday 16th Brighton MIOWN + PIER 12 13.30 £45
Tuesday 17th Brighton RAMSGARTH 25 09.00 £45
Wednesday 18th Brighton MOLDAVIA 50 09.30 £55
Thursday 19th Brighton ARIEL 28 11.30 £45
Friday 20th Brighton CITY OF WATERFORD 36 07.00 £45
Friday 20th Brighton DUKE OF BUCCLEUGH 58 13.00 £50
Monday 23rd Eastbourne KINGFISHER 48 08.45 £50
Tuesday 24th Eastbourne HMS ARIADNE 27 10.15 £45
Wednesday 25th Eastbourne GLENARTNEY 40 10.45 £45
Thursday 26th Brighton PENTRYCH 24 11.30 £45
Friday 27th Brighton CITY OF BRISBANE 27 12.00 £45
Monday 30th Brighton FORTUNA 33 13.30 £45
Tuesday 31st Brighton QUAIL 40 08.00 £45

SEPTEMBER
Monday 6th Eastbourne ARGONAUT 40 09.45 £50
Tuesday 7th Eastbourne CHATEAU MARGEAUX 40 07.15 £55
Monday 20th Brighton PERSIANA 48 07.30 £50
Tuesday 21st Brighton PENTRYCH 24 09.00 £45
Wednesday 22nd Brighton Submarine U130 30 09.00 £45
Thursday 23rd Brighton TR THOMPSON 34 10.00 £45
Friday 24th Brighton SEAFORD FERRY 48 09.30 £55 Dieppe
Monday 27th Dieppe 5 DAY TRIP to DIEPPE 40 08.00 £345
Tuesday 28th Dieppe 5 DAY TRIP to DIEPPE 20-40 08.00 £345
Wednesday 29th Dieppe 5 DAY TRIP to DIEPPE 20-40 08.00 £345
Thursday 30th Dieppe 5 DAY TRIP to DIEPPE 20-40 08.00 £345

OCTOBER
Friday 1st Dieppe 5 DAY TRIP to DIEPPE 40 08.00 £345
Monday 4th Brighton CITY OF LONDON 30 07.30 £45
Wednesday 6th Brighton NYON 45 08.00 £50
Friday 8th Brighton UNKNOWN WRECK 53 10.00 £45
Tuesday 12th Brighton HMS KERRYADO 34 07.30 £45
Wednesday 13th Brighton CITY OF WATERFORD 30 08.00 £45
Thursday 14th Brighton WARILDA 2 Day French Trip 50 07.00 £165
Friday 15th Brighton LANFRANC 2 Day French Trip 52 08.00 £165
Monday 18th Brighton HMS MINION 50 07.00 £45
Wednesday 20th Brighton BLANEFIELD 33 07.30 £45
Friday 22nd Brighton ASHFORD 42 09.00 £45
Monday 25th Brighton BIG CRAB WRECK 36 10.30 £45
Wednesday 27th Brighton FORTUNA 28 07.00 £45
Friday 29th Brighton DUKE OF BUCCLEUGH 58 07.00 £50

To reserve a space call Steve 07970 674799

Next Meridian Divers Meeting ~ Wednesday 7th April

The next MD meeting will be held at the Berwick Inn at 7.30pm on Wednesday 7th April. The agenda is being circulated.