Comments (See also photos - Littlehampton Marine Life and UK Wrecks)

Gascony

Divernet Wreck Tour 26

Julian, Tim, Stuart, Steve and I met in Ma’s café for the usual pre-dive breakfast and briefing at 0930. We then headed to the marina to prepare the RIB and ourselves for what promised to be a good dive.  

The sea was flat and hardly a ripple broke the surface, the sun shone down keeping us warm and happy. We had a fast ride to the Gascony and she appeared on the sonar very clearly defined. The shot was dropped with great success. So far so good.

We had a short wait because the current was still running a little. The decision was made that Julian, Steve and I would go in first as a three with Tim and Stuart diving when we returned, there was a large window of slack so we should all enjoy a reasonable dive.  

We rolled off the RIB and descended the shot. At the sea bed we found the shot sitting right beside the wreck. Julian attached the lifting bag, I remembered my camera so took a picture of said lifting bag. Visibility was a good 10m and we had a beautiful wreck lying in front of us in all her glory! There was lots of metal to explore, fish, crabs, lobsters, abundant plant and coral life and some congers all waiting to be photographed. I did try to do them justice but being a novice I failed on a lot of shots.  

We were down for around 40mins and I would have liked to stay much longer there was so much more to see. I understand there is a swim through opportunity on the Gascony, we didn’t find this possibly because, as Julian put it, they had a girl doing her shopping thing! I assume this means me photographing anything and everything stopped us getting around the whole wreck. Strange then that the clearest photo I have is Julian holding up his lifting bag to be captured on film!  

We returned to the surface and Tim and Stuart went down. They also had a good long dive but as they had no camera they explored much more of the wreck. We then headed back to the marina. The sea was starting to swell a little so the ride back was a little bumpy until we neared shore, then it was once more smooth.

A fantastic day out, the Gascony is a brilliant wreck to dive, obviously the weather, visibility and slack were major factors. (JM)

13-20 October

Sea Serpent

Red Sea

18 September

HMS Northcoates

Northcoates

Divernet Wreck Tour 77

On the rib were Andrew Hubbard, Julian Avis, Tim Cozens, Steve Mudie, Jacqui Mudie and Alison Somers, a new (as yet unqualified) club member along for the experience!

We rendezvoused at Ma’s as usual then headed to the marina for ropes off and all the fun that is preparing to dive. Alison was introduced to all the little things that make a dive run smoothly from removing the boat cover and preparing the boat to carrying kit to the boat and loading it on, we then introduced her to the trolleys so she could transport more kit with ease!  

Luckily we had a very long window of slack as somebody misunderstood the times and we launched somewhat later than planned. We were told that last recovery was 1.30 as we left at 12.30!  

The trip to the site was good, the shot was dropped and the first three to go in, Steve Julian and myself kitted up and were off. Julian descended the shot first followed by me then Steve. Visibility wasn’t great being about 1m and as we neared the bottom we also had darkness to contend with. As part of the plan we discussed using our strobes as well as torches so after Julian attached the lifting bag we turned each others strobes on and we were off! Visibility improved as we moved along the wreck and the darkness lessened until we had 2-3m vis.  

The wreck is upright and so ‘ship shaped’ that there was plenty to see and identify. Unfortunately I had left my camera on the rib so was unable to photograph Julian sitting at the gun, obviously posing for a picture! There were several shoals of fish and more crabs than I could count. We also saw several conger eels of reasonable size and one enormous conger that looked more like a shark in size (even allowing for the 25% increase in size underwater). We returned to the stern and Julian sent up his DSMB and we returned to the rib. Andrew and Tim then had their dive and returned as happy with the day as the rest of us.  

We headed back to Littlehampton  and stopped for the customary chips before being recovered well after the last recovery time. A successful diving trip and Alison enjoyed the boat trip too. (JM)

4 September

Dave W & Dave N went down shot to large wreck but viz very poor so others decided to give it a miss.

1 August

The Waldrons & Scallop Beds

We dived in three sets of two and Paul boat handled for us, Dave and Alex then Steve and I then Julian and Dean, we had a lovely 45mins drift dive. Steve had the SMB, I had the camera. We saw fish, crabs, spider crabs and flora fauna galore, my pics aren’t good enough to show yet.

We returned to the boat to find Dave had a crab for his tea, I hadn’t managed to hold on to my one as our buddy line dragged me away.

Once we were all back onboard we headed for the Scallop beds. Dave and Alex had a second dive. Then we returned to the marina through a greatly rolling sea, Paul did an excellent job with the boat handling keeping the bumps to a minimum. This was our first dive in British waters as a buddy pair and we really enjoyed it so thank you to all our trainers! 

The Waldrons is a great place for a drift dive, with plenty of boulders for crabs and lobster to hide under. There’s also lots of flora and fauna for those with cameras to, attempt in my case, take colourful and varied shots. (JM)

Some photos taken by Alex on this dive.

24 July

Ramsgarth / Ore Wreck

Around 7.30am!!! Paul, Julian, Steve, Jacqui, AlexM, Tim and Malcolm meet at the Marina ready for a day’s diving with the Ramsgarth first on the list. Hopes for a quick mug of tea and a bacon sandwich soon disappeared as the Marina Cafe now operates its Summer time table opening at 8am!!! (can our LMBHA rep have words please). So getting the boat ready became the priority. 

We were ready by 8.15 for launching and after the usual wait we were down the slipway and into the water. Paul stared up the engines as we backed out onto the water, there was then a pause and Paul was heard to  say B***s or something similar as we drifted out, no steering, no hydraulics!!!. About an hour or so later, a few exchanges of words including b***s more than once and everyone getting hotter under the sun and Julian getting more oil on him than in the pipes,  repairs were completed and off we went. 

Given the delay the Ramsgarth was ruled out (so Dave you did not miss it) we speed out to the Ore Wreck on a fairly flat sea, just in time still for slack we thought.  After the usual debate about where the shot goes in. In went Julian, Steve and Jacqui soon followed by Tim and Malcolm. Alex and Paul remaining on board till the first divers returned. 

Down the shot line we went and the current seemed to be pulling already, there was a slight plume but viz about 5 – 6m. On the bottom (20m approx), yes there was defiantly a current running but with the shot in the wreck of we went. Plenty of fish life and a number of large shoals of fish, lots of crab, starfish a big lobster and of course congers. We had a good swim around the wreck at times hanging on as the current increased. Tim found a good size crab which was secured in his keep net after a struggle. Then after 30mins it was up the shot line which you needed to hang onto and up to the surface for a pick up. To discover that Julian had caught one of the biggest crabs anyone had seen. 

Alex and Paul then went quickly in as current was still increasing. We wait to see Alex’s pictures (some shown here). On their recovery it was over to the Scallop beds for a drift dive by Julian and Steve then Jacqui and Alex, more photos.  As always a debate about where to go in but the tide and wind was now doing funny things and the sea and wind was getting up. 

Again a good dive was had by all with even better viz, having recovered everyone it was back to Littlehampton, the ride this time was somewhat bumpy, stopping to get the chips on the way and to show off Julian’s large crab to the seaside crowd with much screaming from kids (no it was nothing to do with Paul). Soon boat was refuelled and tucked up ready for its next adventure. Everyone headed home about 4pm having enjoyed the UK diving. (MK)

3 July

Shirala

Planned for the Glen Lee, but as a fishing boat was anchored on it decided to try the Shirala instead.  Bit bumpy going out, but seemed a little better when at the dive site.  Bit early so waited for slack and then first pair jumped in, shortly followed by the second pair (would have been sooner if had remembered my weight belt before putting my stab on!).  Reasonable viz but some very funny currents and swell under water.  Currents seemed to change from one direction to another as swam over the wreck.  Lots of shoals of bib, and a boiler apartment block of tom pot blennies decorated with fan worms.  Some large crabs (one of which ended up in Julian's bag) and lobsters plus a few scallops that Tim collected.  On surfacing found that the swell had increased and some large rolling waves.  Started back as soon as last pair surfaced.  Good boat handling by skipper whilst on the rolling waves, but something went wrong in the harbour at the fuel jetty and trailer (probably just tired as we hadn't stopped for chips!).  Could happen to anyone, Stuart!  (JH)

26 June

Cairndhu

Prop shaft of Cairndhu

Final shot hunt - official consensus is that the original shot has gone for good!

Lovely sunny day, sea was almost flat on leaving the harbour mouth and got better on the way out.  Not a ripple in sight so it was easy to see that it was not slack once we dropped the shot in.  However, the first pair were encouraged to drop in by those who wanted slack for their dive! Hard work pulling down the shot to the wreck - viz about 4m.  Had a look around for the shot but decided it wasn't there so wandered over the wreck, round the boilers and other enginey bits.  Loads of shoals of bib and some large crabs, congers and lobsters.  By then it was slack but end of our dive so ascended.  Other 3 went in and ascended with crab and lobster.  Both were subsequently enjoyed by their captors after their hot bath!.

Back for chips and recovery.  Dave (first dive with us!) thought it was a very civilised way to dive!  (JH)

19 June

Shirala & scallop beds

Lovely tasty lobster!

Despite the poor forecast, 5 brave souls met at 0800 Saturday morning, prepared the boat then a quick breakfast at Ma’s. The original plan was another shot hunt on the Cairndhu but with a stiff Northerly felt the trip back would be a bit lumpy. So first option was Shirala

We were on our way down the Arun at 10 helmed by Stuart, Royal salute on passing Hubbard Towers then a swift passage out to the wreck helped by the wind and sea at our backs.

Rather than drop in two waves with the possibility of one pair missing slack or having to cope with a possible deterioration of sea conditions I opted to stay on the boat and put the two pairs in together.

Shot was placed quickly as only one ‘expert’ on board, Dave and Stuart in first, then Jules and Steve a few minutes later. Jules sent the shot back up on reaching the bottom. 45 minutes later blobs spotted and divers recovered – good dive, 2-3 m viz, light current and Jules had rescued two lobsters (promised to take them home and give them a hot bath!). Dave would also have liked a hot bath as his dry suit zip had leaked.

We opted to go to the scallop grounds for a drift, so made slow progress against the weather back inshore. Stuart and I dropped in followed by Jules and Steve, good current running so no finning required,  viz 3-4 m, nice bottom topography, lots of interesting rocks and crannies and static marine life. Scallops were rescued although none survived despite being fried in butter and garlic. Nice dive.

Back to the harbour, 2 m under the keel going across the bar so props intact, no chips as Julian was having a fight with his bladder. Fuelled, recovered, washed down and done by 3pm. As a footnote Jules and I then went to Ocean View Diving (nice bunch) in Lancing where we had nitrox fills done on the spot which was very handy. (PC)

12 June

Cairndhu

The quest for the shot ! Last Sunday we managed to get our shot and line stuck in the wreck of the SS Cairndhu, so we went back in the hope that it would still be there and that we could recover it.

It was an early start down at the marina for 8.00, we had a good run out to the wreck site but when we got there - no sign of our surface buoy so we had to reshot the wreck.  Only three of the four on the boat would be diving so we all went down the line together.

The visibility was no more than four metres so it was going to be a matter of chance if we found the shot on a wreck the size of the SS Cairndhu.

As it turned out when I got to the bottom of the shot line I went in the wrong direction and when I got to the boilers I knew that the shot line was in the other direction but by then I was low on gas and had to start thinking  about going up.

Back to the marina with just a quick stop at the chip shop, boat put away and on our way home by 4.00.

Not a bad day out and we have not given up on the quest to recover the shot just yet, hope lies in our next  report. (JA)

6 June

Cairndhu

The tides were very good for diving today but the weather forecast was not looking so good  with 4 to 5 possibly 6 but we decided to give it a try.

Five of us went out from the marina at 11.00 and the trip out was not too bad.  We were looking for the ship wreck of the SS Cairndhu, found it and had the shot in before slack would start at 12.30.

Three went down to the wreck first. It was a bit dark with three to four metres vis and 30 mins was spent  looking around the bow of the ship seeing lots of big lobbys and one or two congers .

The other two went down for their dive but after they got back we found that we could not recover the shot line - it was stuck in the wreck. 

I went back down the line to free the shot but when i got back on the boat we still could not get it out as it had got caught up again.

By this time the weather had started the get very bad so the decision was made to leave it there and hope to come back the next weekend to try to get it back.

We then spent the next hour going as fast as the sea would let us to get back to the marina.

Not the best end to a days diving but that’s the way it goes sometimes. (JA)

30 May - 6 June

Cyclone

Red Sea

23 May

Weather was gorgeous, sunny with a slight breeze and very gentle waves at Littlehampton. 

We were the first boat to arrive at the site, George and Tim found the wreck and Paul dropped the shot line. We were a little early and the tide was still running, we decided to retrieve and drop the shot again with a slightly longer line. This time it was perfect. Dave and Tim went in first and found the wreck without a problem. George and I went in after we recovered the others. I was taking my camera for the first time and George gave me some advice before we went down and was very helpful with instructions in the water too. We had, almost, slack water which made for a great dive. Visibility was only 1metre or so, but with the ambient light there was plenty to see and I took several photos which I am very pleased with. Although I am possibly the only person who could recognize what they are!

On returning to the rib it was decided that a drift dive was more practical than a second wreck as we would have missed slack water. We then travelled to Black Ledge and George and I went in. Dave and Tim had too little gas left whereas I had a second cylinder and George doesn’t breathe much so had plenty of gas left.

The current was quite slow, which was good because with visibility ranging between 1 and 2 metres we had time to see lots of life and swim around rocks looking for the other end of conger eels! There were dog fish and crabs and several more colourful fish I have yet to learn the names of.

All in all a great day of diving, enjoyed by all of us. Our thanks to Paul who still came out and boat handled even though he had a cold so couldn’t dive.  (JM)

15 May

Mulberry Harbour

Sun, Funny tides and screams

With the springy tides it was agreed that we would do just the Mulberries with possibly a second drift dive. So a bright and sunny Saturday morning saw Andrew, Bryan, Tim, Dave and Malcolm eating a hearty breakfast at the Marina cafe just after 8am, anticipating an earlyish start. One look out of the window and you could see the fuel pontoon of the marina aground!!! The water as low as anyone could remember. 

here followed some discussion over the funny tides and the fact that the tide tables did not seem to match what was happening in the sea. So it was not till after 10 with a number of mugs of tea consumed that we finally got the boat ready to launch. Malcolm took the helm and soon headed out of the harbour with a fairly calm sea and sunshine towards the Mulberries after a few instructions on how to work the Satnav.   

Andrew, Bryan and Malcolm went in first. We soon arrived at the bottom of the shot to find viz around 2m or a little more and the plankton bloom going well. We swam up and down the side of the structures seeing a large lobster (could not get close enough to grab), some fish but not a lot of life but plenty of nooks and crannies to look in. After 40mins of a fairly comfortable dive we got back to the shot line eventually and ascended for our safety stop. At which point the tide was running quite strongly and saw all three of us hanging on tightly at times almost horizontal. Once back in the boat we noticed another boat tied up with divers ready to go. In the meantime Tim and Dave got ready and went in intending to go and find the landing craft which was away from the main part of the Mulberries.

Two divers from the other boat went into the water and made their way alongside our boat to the buoy, at which time the three of us were just talking, Then from around and under the front of our rib arose a blood curdling scream which continued, Bryan rushed to the front and saw the woman diver who appeared to have got tangled in the mooring rope screaming her head off.   Bryan being the gentleman he is soon calmed her down, the two divers got themselves sorted and then decided to try again, but soon abandoned the attempt after a few minutes. The divers then drifted off our boat to be picked up by the other, little thanks being offered for our help. 

After 40mins up came a blob and our divers soon surfaced when we again noticed the strange tide flow as the divers drifted towards us rather than away as expected. Once on board Dave took the helm to get back to Littlehampton with the sea getting a bit lumpy. With the tide racing and the sun fast disappearing nobody was interested in a second dive. The usual chip stop was taken in the harbour and by just after 3pm we were ready to head for home having had a look at possible spaces in the new boat park. (MK)

9 May

8 May

3 May

Wraysbury

What a washout of a weekend.  After last weeks great diving, it was so frustrating not to be able to get out in the boat at all over the 3-day weekend.  However, Wraysbury is always available whatever the weather so that is where the diving was. Jacqui's report: 

Unfortunately due to adverse weather conditions there was no opportunity for diving from Littlehampton this bank holiday. So we, the intrepid sport diver trainees, found ourselves a willing instructor, Julian, a couple of ‘shore cover chaps’, Paul and Malcolm, then headed to Wraysbury. Our aim to carry out some more of our exercises to get closer to our sport diver qualification.

The weather was a mix of sun, cloud and hail stones! The shore cover had to huddle together under a handy tree for warmth and shelter! The water temperature was 14 degrees.

Julian, Steve and I planned our AS and CBL exercises which were to be followed by towing to shore, removal of kit and recovery. All successfully completed, under the expert guidance of Julian. 

Next we obtained permission for an SMB deployment exercise which I carried out during a 26min exploration dive. Near the end of the dive I recovered a £10 note which, once Paul had dried it, covered the cost of some tea and chips for all, the cold, wet shore cover in as much need as the warm dry divers. (JM)

24 April

Bottle Wreck (well for most!)

Well, what a start to this year's diving from the club rib out of Littlehampton.  10 m viz on a very nice little wreck, oozing with congers, lobsters and other marine life - sun shining and sea state slight .

The shot was not quite on the wreck, and as it also wasn't slack there was a strong swim needed to get to the wreck.  Jacqui and Jenny, the first pair down laid a line (Jacqui's assessment) so hoped we went in the right direction.  Eventually we reached the wreck, our arrival heralded by a really large lobster waving at us.  A brief look at the pipes and marine incumbents before we had to retrace our fins back to the shot.

Julian & Steve passed us on our way back - but being males and concentrating on getting to the wreck they didn't even see us.  Julian did, of course, manage to see the lobsters, one of which Steve had to help put in the goody bag but we made Julian throw it back as it was too small.

Dave & James unfortunately had to make do with a drift as they missed the wreck completely.

Once we were all back on board, the shot was repositioned and Andrew & Paul had their turn - very nice dive, lots to see, and no current.

James & Dave had another try at finding the wreck but failed again!  They are positive that it wasn't there!

A quick motor over to Black Ledge so that Steve could get in a drift dive with Andrew - just managed the required 15mins - before back to the marina to be recovered before they closed.  (JH)

17/18 April

Portland Harbour

The 'unknown coaster'

BSAC Wreck Appreciation Course

Click here for a report on this interesting BSAC course which was run by the Underwater Archaeological Society for BUDC.  

Viz appalling - course interesting - company (??).  Do we all now know the layout of wrecks, how to find them, measure them and what marine life we may see on them?  Probably not all of us!!

Photos of some of the theory sessions.

28 March