Tunbridge Wells Scuba Club

Rampion Wind Farm

2012-03-02T18:43:00.000Z

Proposed development area

Project Information

More important than a wind farm is the TWSAC BBQ at The Captains Table on the 3rd of June....

Captains Table BBQ 3rd of June

2012-02-29T19:01:00.001Z

"Come along to the Captains Table.. Yarrr"

A date for your diary. 3rd of June TWSAC will be having a BBQ hosted by The Captains Table

There will be underwater footage of wrecks in our local area,a licenced bar and a BBQ. Everyone is welcome and we look forward to exchanging diving stories and rubbing shoulders with other diving clubs.

Ask Tony FAQ

2012-01-23T14:00:00.003Z

New page added over to the right there, under the picture of those two muppets,or you can click this link.
Call our Membership Secretary, Simon Lane for a chat on how to join 07703 562366

Duchess

2012-01-16T13:14:00.005Z

Below is part of an email forwarded to me from Ian that he sent to the family of the Captain of the Duchess recently.

Click on this LINK and it will take you to the Duchess page and links to Ian Everests article and a video of the wreck itself.

In 1985 started to research the incident when my Great-uncle went down on the Duchess and although I managed to find a certain amount of info, it has been quite incredible to make contact with the family of the Captain of the ship and to receive such interesting documentation.

I am also indebted to the Tunbridge Wells Divers who have given me some film of the wreck of the Duchess.

I understand BBC South East has expressed an interest in doing a news story about the Duchess and the work of the diving club.....

Call our Membership Secretary, Simon Lane for a chat on how to join 07703 562366

Boat Maintenance

2012-01-15T12:14:00.000Z

Bilge Rat

Boats been run up and is awaiting a tow to a nice barn. Not to many jobs to do , biggest job will be getting Mr Scotts greasy paw prints off everything!

New members required so get in touch with Simon here

Have a look here for some of the things we have been up to.

Boat Show

2012-01-09T19:55:00.000Z

TWSAC at the London Boat Show. Big thanks to the mystery man for the tickets.....Ferrets Noses!

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T10:48:00.006Z

Happy New Year!!!

The TWSAC RIB is out of the water waiting for some jobs to be done before it goes back in. There are a few things being planned to get us through winter not least the small exhibition at Newhaven Fort to be getting on with.

Anyone looking to join our club should get in contact with Simon (have a look at the picture to the right of this and click link for his number,he's not as scarey as he looks!)
Go on, you know you want to, why pay loads of cash for one wreck when you can get two good wrecks for less!!

Roll on Spring.........................

Hamish Mackenzie

2011-11-29T17:44:00.001Z

Hamish Diving 1971 on the City of Brisbane

Prop from a well known local wreck with the "Falaise" ferry across the river

It's not from the Brisbane......

Last run out on the boat

2011-11-29T13:31:00.000Z

Went out to give the boat a run as we haven't been out in a while due to rubbish weather. Boats going to be lifted out of the water for some maintenance over the winter which,fingers crossed,shouldn't be as much work as last winter!!

We are looking for new members so if you are passionate about wreck diving please get in touch.
Phone number at the top of the page HERE.

Regimental Plaque

2011-11-17T19:50:00.000Z

http://twsac.blogspot.com/p/regimental-plaque.html

Thats the way to do it

2011-10-29T14:26:00.000+01:00

Quote from Rebbeca Tye,Deputy Receiver of Wreck at the MCA on the Stanhope report in Diver magazine.

"We read your article in Diver magazine and thought it was a good example of the work wreck researchers carry out in trying to identify wrecks"

The Duchess 16/10/11"

2011-10-17T19:33:00.000+01:00

Last of the Summer Wine

Performing Monkey

Yarrrr

Survived another day

Prop coming from the triple expansion engine

Quite a trek to this wreck but we have wanted to film it for a relative of one of the crew for quite a while now but the weather has always been against us for such a long run. Finally managed it though and for such shallow water the viz was excellent.

Video HERE

An article written by Ian Everest about his great uncle Henry "Harry" Everest who was a stoker on Duchess HERE

Mohlen Prie 16/10/11

2011-10-17T18:28:00.000+01:00

Met up with Lofty Attwood just after 6am in the dark to fuel up. Freezing cold and thick fog hanging over the river.

It's a lot easier fueling up at high water!

First light and ready to go

Heading East

Viz on the Mohlen was around 5m
32m LW

Up at stupid o’clock, pitch black and fog rolling down the river. It could only mean one thing ......... Chuckle tours were back in business. At low water the fuel pontoon was a long climb to the pump. Not helped by the vertical wet cold ladder.

¾ of an hour later we are fully loaded and heading out at 6knts Lloyd gives it all its got..... 6knts. Total disbelief we all look at the engine. Del looks at the throttle, like a coiled spring he launches from the bow to the helm in one leap. Delivering a karate chop that would have graced any Bruce Lee film with finesse to the throttle lever A HA. Puts hands together and tips his head forward.

6 to 21Knts in no time. A big sigh of relief from all, as we head for the drop zone. Jamie’s tummy was well troubled so we let him drop first. Urgh, that’s disgusting!!!!!

Rob splashes first to tie in and rid his nostrils of the foul air topside. Iain follows on a much depleted air cylinder. Jamie, Paul and Lloyd follow suit.

Cool, Del at the helm, I kit up with all that deck space to use. 3 2 1 I’m out of here. Shallow one today, 30m.

Lying on her starboard side I opted to go to the stern first, picking up a few locals on the way. The Congers down here are on the large size as I look at the four bladed prop. Two blades have been shortened through damage in sinking or from the U-boats explosives that were placed to sink her. The Hull and port side don’t hold my interest for long; I go back up over the side to explore the engine and boiler. More Congers.

I hadn’t seen Chuckle one deploy or even drift towards me. The advantage was his, grabbing my leg I nearly spat my reg out!! For a split second my head said Conger. Then something else!!! I continued passage to the bow and the anchor still sits in its position on the port side. Veering off into the shale Scallops beckon and back to the wreck to deploy. Another great little wreck easily got round in a dive with minimum deco.

Does it get any better? Well yes it does, cruising back to port we are fortunate enough to watch 3 Dolphins rising and dipping in unison off Cuckmere Haven.

Cheers chaps Jools

Balfour

2011-10-10T19:35:00.000+01:00

Tale of the Balfour gun HERE

Balfour 1-10-11

2011-10-02T09:57:00.000+01:00

Early start to the day with a rope off time off 07.15. Everyone arrived bleary eyed and started loading up the boat which was almost in the mud as it was a spring low.
Great view of the sun rising over Cuckmere Haven as we passed Seaford on a flat sea.

Viz was pretty crap on the first dive but the shot was tied to a steam pipe connecting the boiler to the engine so it was fairly easy to work out where to go.

With everyone back onboard the food came out as there was no going back to the cafe today. With the sun beating down and the next slack hours off ..

...not much to do but laze about .

Tide was going at 2.5knots and dragging the big buoy under. We decided to go and annoy the big ships out in the lanes for a while so after struggling to disconnect the Rib we headed South.

Good to see that Pauls Welding on the A frame stood up to having 120kg sat on it.


Big Ship

Bigger Ship

Massive ship! He gave us a wave and a blast on the horn

Second part of the day and the reason we went to the Balfour later.......

SS Gairsoppa

2011-09-27T21:51:00.000+01:00

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ireland/8789745/British-shipwreck-with-a-fortune-in-silver-on-board-discovered-in-Atlantic.html

Borneo 25-09-11

2011-09-26T10:03:00.000+01:00

Another white knuckle ride out with Simon at the helm. Passed Simon on the way down to the bow where the shot was tied in and had a quick look at the anchor laying on the ground before heading back over the trawl gallows laying on the deck and over the holds to look around the back of the boiler.The boiler itself is covered in net which hangs suspended by buoys way above the wreck.
As you look at the twisted pipes and coal piled up behind the boiler there is empty space behind where the engine should be.
41m
3m viz but even darker further out then on the morning dive.

Balfour 25-09-11

2011-09-26T09:43:00.000+01:00

Long ride out but worth the effort. Called the two gun trawler but only one gun on it...or is there.

Viz was slightly better than yesterday,a gloomy 3m
34m

Pot Wreck 24-09-11

2011-09-24T21:12:00.000+01:00

Urgh wats that!?! throw it back quick

After delivering a pint of milk to "Our Sharon" near Beachy Head we pinched Ray to skipper our boat as there was just the two of us diving and i had to look after Shifty...or was he looking after me!
Headed down and it got darker and darker until we hit the wreck amidships. Headed towards the bow having a good rummage on the way and then back towards the stern.

35m LW
Viz a gloomy 2m

Article in Diver

2011-09-21T21:52:00.000+01:00

The article wrongly mentions Jerry Keen as being a member of TWSAC,he is in fact a member of Eastbourne BSAC.
We would also like to thank Jerry for his invaluable help with wrecks in the Eastbourne area where his knowledge is unsurpassed.

And another thing.Our list of guessed wrecks didnt include Rio Parana as its already been identified.
The other Irvine built wreck in the area IS Rio Parana.
It also says Stanhope was already named!!

4/10 Diver,see me after class.

Full story HERE

(you may have to right click the picture "open in a new tab" and enlarge or right click "view image"and click again)

Ashford finds

2011-09-17T16:20:00.000+01:00

More pictures uploaded of Shifty Smiths Ashford finds HERE

Article from Dive

2011-09-16T17:58:00.000+01:00

Blogger has changed the way it displays pictures so to enlarge a picture you may have to click image- right click- view image and click it again.

Eastbourne Week!

2011-09-15T18:36:00.000+01:00

The planned week of diving got blown out but between the winds we got out 1 day for a dive on the Mohlen Prie. Viz was less than 1m !
Took some video and pictures of the lighthouse as it was such a nice day.

Diver pick up...as taught by Iain!

Ashford Finds

2011-09-12T09:18:00.000+01:00

Shifty Smith has been hard at it filling in forms for the ROW and taking pictures of some of his Ashford finds over the years.

Click HERE to be taken to the pictures or click on Wreck Tours and search for Ashford

A container full of treasure!!

2011-09-06T21:51:00.000+01:00

have a look at this video of Ray's treasure, I'm sure Jamie's shed would make a good video???

http://vimeo.com/28404579

Aye!!!

On the beach

2011-09-05T15:04:00.000+01:00

As there was a boat assessment on and it was windy, a stroll and a spot
of beach combing was order of the day.

With spring low tides we opted for the stretch between, cuckmere haven
and Burling Gap, the remains of the U121 can been seen at spring low
water under Baileys brow.
She was lost whilst under tow and ended up washed a shore next to the
steam ship Oushla.

Both vessels were salvaged, with the metals winched up over the cliff.

Baileys brow is the second sister West of Burling Gap.

For more info see Submarines in tow

Lalen Mendi 03-09-11

2011-09-05T09:55:00.000+01:00

High tide in the afternoon and off to the Mohlen Prie but that had a fishing boat on it so went off to the Lalen just up the road.
Viz was worse than the morning with less than 2m

Spoon Wreck 3-09-11

2011-09-05T09:42:00.000+01:00

Spoon wreck is getting silted up! No more clues today.The viz was not good due to the huge tide ripping through.


Spotted this guy just swimming about 10 miles off shore. He had a can of beer and seemed happy enough

I am the Walrus

Viz 3m

Mr Lohs....quite a good shot

2011-09-01T09:25:00.000+01:00

A New TWSAC Champion is Born

2011-08-31T19:09:00.000+01:00

The last few dives I have been on I have witnessed the birth of a new sport and with it a new champion.
Extreme Crustacean Wrestling and the new national and world champion is none other than our very own Dartford Scaffolder Geoff.
Having been with Geoff on the last few dives I have been in awe of his determination in wrestling for his supper, Saturdays dive was no exception. Clouds of silt and sand shrouded the site of Geoffs epic battle this weekend with this weeks valiant opponent Geoff was rolling around on the seabed determined to bag the blighter in the goody bag but the mediocre sized edible was having none of it. The crab representing the french team fought back lashing with mighty claws and legs pushing our hero Geoff to the limit. Geoff who in one of the previous encounters almost suffered disembowelment by another much larger adversary was careful to avoid the frenchies claws and after an epic battle, which I did manage to film, managed to bag the loser and gain the gold, the loser got the pot.

I would ask the club to petion the olympic committee to add this new extreme sport to the next Games becuase we have a champion ready and waiting to step up on the podium.If not I am sure PADI would love to make it a new speciality for the badge collectors

once I can get a camera that will allow me to download I will post the evidence on the site.

Stanhope 28-08-11

2011-08-30T19:33:00.000+01:00

Someones been polishing their helm.........

Pot Wreck

2011-08-30T10:35:00.000+01:00

New video added here

Nyon

2011-08-30T09:58:00.001+01:00

New video added here

Midsurrey

2011-08-30T09:31:00.000+01:00

New video added here

City of Brisbane

2011-08-30T09:23:00.000+01:00

New Video added here

Club Boat

2011-08-27T15:56:00.000+01:00

Its been for a test run and its back in business. Well done Beardy.

Braunton Dive Saturday 20th

2011-08-24T10:33:00.000+01:00

With The Club Boat being very poorly I had the offer from Dick to join them for a trip out to the Braunton. I havent dived her for a couple of years and hadnt got any video of the wreck so jumped at the chance.
With a full boat the rib easily managed the trip out on flat sea's to the wreck site .with one other boat on the wreck there was no problem with it being over crowded . I dropped down with Sara who advocates for diving in pink and first thoughts were perhaps the vis wasn't going to be that good bit soon we were on the wreck and the vis had opened out to at least 8m and plenty of light. We head towards the engines pushing the vast shoals of bib and pollack out the wayand with me capturing the vintage vista on film life couldn't be better.
Swimming against the gentle current we soon hit the bows and turned back drifting gently over the intact engine room cowling minus the glass of course and were soon on the stacks of ammo .
Creeping into deco it was soon te to head back up and back aboard the RIB.
Thanks to Dick and Shrek and thanks to Sara for diving with me.
Managed to capture some good footage but the cam won't connect to the pc now so need to borrow a
mini dv cam corder anyone got one I can borrow?

Not a well boat...

2011-08-23T22:19:00.000+01:00

....but its getting better thanks to Del and Pauls efforts over last weekend.Stripped down to its bare bones and new head gasket fitted in record time.

25-08-11
....Dels finished putting the boat back together.Needs a sea trial but looking good so far

City of Brisbane 22-08-11

2011-08-23T07:52:00.000+01:00

Out in the afternoon on PMT to dive the Brisbane so J could get some video and some pics.

Gun


Ray,ex skipper of The Mistress, not catching any fish!


Bobby pointing out his boss and not getting a pay rise.

Nyon 22-08-11

2011-08-23T07:28:00.000+01:00

Monday morning dive from WASP. Arrived on site to find "The Huntress" with a fishing party anchored next to the wreck. Being nice chaps they didnt mind us dropping our shot in.
Once back on the boat reports were that the viz was crap. I didnt beleive a word of it though and it soon became clear it was around 10-15m.
I didnt want to dive it anyway................:(

coke bottles

Video coming sooooooon

Midsurrey 21-08-11

2011-08-21T20:58:00.000+01:00

Out again on PMT with J and Simon ,who didnt fall in today. Viz was slightly better than yesterday,3.5m or thereabouts!
Dropped Simon in to do the shot by which time the wind was beginning to blow and the sea was getting up. Luckily, "My Sharon" was out fishing not to far away if it all went the shape of a pear!
Simon was first up and almost ran up the new ladder before hopping into the boat.....oh hang on,thats not right!!...it took 2 attempts before falling off and dekitting then finally flopping face down in the boat on the 3rd attempt puffing and wheezing mumbling about diver lifts. Kept me entertained anyway.
Rough ride back!!!

Millgate 20-08-11

2011-08-21T20:27:00.000+01:00

Yep Millgate...not our first choice for a dive but after getting to the Midsurrey we found two fishermen on it.
Motored up and asked if they were staying for slack but it seemed to be a bit of a complicated question!
Surly seems the best word to describe them....
With slack water to catch and PMT guzzeling fuel the way i like to drink beer we went a bit closer home and shot the Millgate.
Viz on the wreck was a reported 3m but topside it was a beautiful afternoon with a flat sea and blue sky.

Pot Wreck 20-08-11

2011-08-21T19:46:00.000+01:00

Toilet

Out on Wasp for a dive as the club boats out of action at the moment. Viz was'nt all that by all accounts and it didnt help that Tad had a good 8m on the Braunton,DOH!
A bit more video shot by J so hopefully upload that in the not to distant future. A few potential clues raised from door handles to broken bowls but nothing with a name.
Must remember my camera!!!

Bugs Life 18-08-11

2011-08-19T12:06:00.000+01:00

Wednesday 17- Dive Sussex

Popped over to dive with Sussex dive crew, caught with some old friends and made some new ones. Excellent choice I’m given the rib to Cox as well. Ferrying out 9 other divers, find the reef and deposit 8 eager souls. What had started as an evening dive was fast becoming a night one. A local reef in 12- 13M.

Bugs all over the place, their appearance mainly due to my buddies torch. I’m sure it came direct from the run way at Gatwick. I would of opted for welding goggles if had known!! At this depth and time the night life was showing up.

From small velvet squat lobsters and Congers in the rocks. Wrasse and Pollock going with the flow.

After 40minutes it was pitch black topside we had to go, but a total chill out evening.

Thursday 18 Aug

Chuckle tours, reps only. While on a test drive Sunday we checked out another wreck site charted but no positive ID. We were interested, as it gave a good hit on the echo. Club boat giving grief we pimped a ride and stole PMT the Dory.

Chuckle 2 held on with his good hand and tucked his other into something dry, while commanding the deck as Nelson. Victory was ours, found the wreck and threw in the shot. Oops far too much rope. Never mind it’s only me going down for a survey.

Tide was ebbing when I went in. Couldn’t feel the shot drag, I soon found out why. Excellent shooting had sent it right into the boiler. No way was that moving. While hauling it out the first one hit me. A bug with attitude !! I let him off the first one. Second hit and the bag came out. If the boiler lying on its side was 1-2m high the small engine aft was a good 2m. More bugs and their hunting in packs......for me!! You got to be kidding. Bag em until the bag would take no more.

A lot of trawl net in the way and once disturbed on this silty site obliterates the visibility. Thankfully it’s blowing quite a bit now and clears fast. I survey on the lee side which is disappearing into the sea bed. Two blades of the prop still stick out of it, I assume it has two below with a circumference of approx 4ft, have another look when slack!!

Find the shot, apply a lift bag, (my delayed), to ease the lift as Nelson is out of action and climb the line. Well hang out like washing. Not bad vis in 30m over H/W

Jools

SS Stanhope

2011-08-02T22:16:00.000+01:00

The Assend finally has its proper name.
You can read about it here

Seven Seas (not) 31/07/11

2011-08-02T14:36:00.000+01:00

Early evening dive with just the 3 of us and several cans of beer,luverly.
After 10m viz on the TR in the morning it was a bit dissapointing to have only a few meters viz on the wreck.
Really nice upright wreck this one with the engines,boiler and bow all looking really impressive.
15 mins deco stop to do and two cans of beer are lowered on a rope with a crowbar to weight them down...torture!!!!

TR Thompson 31-07-11

2011-08-02T14:22:00.000+01:00

Dive on the TR with a full TWSAC crew and two fishing boats another clubs hardboat,Channel Diver and Brighton Diver.Busy busy above and below.
Viz was far better than it had been on previous days diving the arsend. I take it all back Tad,its a good wreck in those conditions!
http://trthompson.blogspot.com/

Viz 10m+
32m

New video added

2011-07-31T08:48:00.001+01:00

Persiana ,click here

Assend 30-07-11

2011-07-31T08:18:00.000+01:00

Had another look at what we looked at yesterday...............

viz 3-4m
30m lw

Assend 29-07-11

2011-07-31T08:14:00.000+01:00

Back on Assend to have a look at a particular spot............

Viz was only 3-4m
30m lw

Ungrateful Gannet

2011-07-30T12:47:00.000+01:00

TWSAC in the News

2011-07-25T09:23:00.001+01:00

Health and Safety advice from TWSAC

2011-07-25T09:20:00.000+01:00

Simon says,
When kitting up in rough seas always kit up on the floor in the boat,you never know when that big wave might come through and sweep you over the side.

Assend 24-07-11

2011-07-24T21:22:00.000+01:00

Far to rough to go diving off Beachy Head but not being very clever thats where we ended up. Must have been blowing a force 5 when i came back up from the dive. Mr x went in on the 3rd wave...it swept him overboard with just his tanks on.Unfortunatly there wasnt a camera to hand.
Viz was the best it had been all week and was one of the best dives ive done on this unknown.
Thanks to everyone that came diving to make the week happen and Del for making the boat go faster...just the water problen to fix now.

Scallop Wreck 22-07011

2011-07-24T20:39:00.000+01:00

Back out on the second dive to the Scallop wreck to bag a few lobbys and crabs and scallops for the bbq in the evening.
Viz 3m
35m

Persiana 22-07-11

2011-07-24T20:34:00.001+01:00

Had to leave earlier for this one as its 20 miles south of Newhaven. Across the shipping lane passing some huge ships on the way.
On site there was a buoy already attached but after a bit of looking around we decided to throw our own shot in incase it was hooked on wreckage away from the wreck.
I dropped in with J to tie in and it seemed to get darker and darker on the way down until we realised we were in the scour under this huge wreck at 47m...back out of there to tie in on the stern i passed a really impressive prop,what a sight.
Met Max on the stern and with J tagging along behind with his video we headed forward.
A huge amount to take in on one dive and just not long enough down there.
The buoy we were thinking of heading down earlier had mono net strung out down it like a curtain attached to the wreck.
We gotta get out here again before the seasons out........
Video here

47m (in the scour)
10-15m viz

Oceana 21-07-11

2011-07-24T20:10:00.000+01:00

Second dive of the day on the Oceana. No plaques to be found today just huge boilers and massive engines amongst the masses of twisted metal that makes up this huge wreck.
Plaque report here

After hanging on the line for 15mins it was nice to have a can of Kronenbourg lowered on a rope attached to a bouy.

sluuurp

cheers

A high speed drift on the lighthouse after was a giggle. Down the ladder and into the current it nearly ripped your mask off!
Gave that up as a bad job and decided to jump off instead

Spoon Wreck 21-07-11

2011-07-24T19:20:00.000+01:00

Always a nice dive on Spoony....cant believe how hard it is to get the name for this wreck,what else do we have to do!!!!!
4-5m viz
34m

Balfour 20-07-11

2011-07-20T22:28:00.000+01:00

"Steamy Windows"

STEAMY WINDOWS - ZERO VISIBILITY
STEAMY WINDOWS - COMING FROM THE BODY HEAT

YOU CAN WINE AND DINE A WOMAN ALL NIGHT
WITH GOOD INTENTIONS
BUT THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT COMPETITION ON A BACK ROAD
BREAKS DOWN THE DEFENCES

STEAMY WINDOWS - AIN'T NOBODY CAN SEE
STEAMY WINDOWS - COMING FROM THE BODY HEAT

THERE'S A SOUND OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR
AND I KNOW IT'S JUST THE WIND
BUT IT MAKES HER SNUGGLE UP JUST A LITTLE BIT CLOSER
AND IT STARTS THINGS HAPPENING AGAIN

STEAMY WINDOWS - ZERO VISIBILITY
STEAMY WINDOWS -COMING FROM THE BODY HEAT
STEAMY WINDOWS - STEAMY WINDOWS

Back out the Balfour for another porthole and a good nose around.
32m
5-6m viz

super yacht

not so super

Spoon Wreck 20-07-11

2011-07-20T22:16:00.000+01:00

Steamy Windows

Nice dive on Spoony .
5m viz
34m

Balfour 19/07/11

2011-07-19T20:15:00.000+01:00

We were planning on diving the Midsurrey but the huge patches of brown water changed our minds and we headed out to cleaner water and the two gun trawler.
Nice wreck this one and it might get a few more dives before the seasons out, what with having all those portholes laying about the place.

33m
viz 5m

Spoon Wreck 19-07-11

2011-07-19T20:00:00.000+01:00

After 3 days of storms it was nice to get out to sea at 07.30 to a flat sea and reasonable viz!

36m
4-5m viz

2011-07-18T15:55:00.001+01:00

New video added;
spoony

Jaws

2011-07-18T14:48:00.001+01:00

2011-07-18T14:08:00.000+01:00

New video uploaded;
7Seas

2011-07-18T13:29:00.000+01:00

New video uploaded;
Mohlen Pris

In the Mag ....again

2011-07-15T00:27:00.000+01:00

To read more on the SS Newent and see a picture and video please click here

It Happened to Lloyd

2011-07-15T00:13:00.000+01:00

Aristos

Lloyd

2011-07-14T09:23:00.001+01:00

2011-07-13T22:50:00.000+01:00

Diving times next week

2011-07-13T11:02:00.000+01:00

Spaces going fast!
All the first class seats have gone and half of second class but plenty of steerage places

Monday 18th
6:45 am,    L/W ropes off
12:20 pm,   H/W ropes off

Tuesday 19th
7:25am,    L/W ropes off
1pm,         H/W ropes off

Wednesdays 20th
8am,         L/W ropes off
1:30pm    H/W ropes off

Thursday 21st
8:30am    L/W ropes off
2pm          H/W ropes off

Friday 22nd
9:05am   L/W ropes off
2:35pm   H/W ropes off

Some of the above times will need adjusting if we are to do some thing
different.

As we were blown out for the Eastbourne week, i have relocated it to
17th/23rd September, good tides, warm seas, hope fully good viz !
We plan to moor the boat in Eastbourne marina for the duration.

We have some new projects over there, new wrecks for us, a last visit to
the Holland 5, any one on the club license is welcome.

Old tat from Spoon Wreck....

2011-07-11T20:34:00.000+01:00

Spoon Wreck 10/07/11

2011-07-10T21:09:00.000+01:00

Great day out diving one of our favourite wrecks,Spoony. Vis was'nt as good as expected but good enough to see whats what down there.

35m
Viz 3m'ish

Mt Stewart 03-07-11

2011-07-04T22:07:00.000+01:00

"I lick windows me"

This was a long long day! Full boat and it was not very well,limping along at 16knots it was a long haul to the wreck only to find fishing boat all over the place.
Next on the hit list was Mt Stewart although this one was a little further east . With a shot on the wreck and everyone in and out it was decided to then dive the Ariadne another few miles east, it was a looong way home in a sick boat.....

Yarrrrr

Viz 3-4m

SS Newent 03-07-11

2011-07-04T21:53:00.000+01:00

Far to early for a Sunday morning,up at 05.15 and half asleep for the ride out. Had a secret wreck to dive first so headed down ,still half asleep,to find ........(im sworn to secrecy,sorry)

The Newent was next on the hit list so after getting the shot on the wreck...eventually! we had a nice dive .

Blanefield 2-07-11

2011-07-04T21:42:00.000+01:00

Saturday morning diving was binned as the boat needed some tlc but the afternoon went ahead as planned.

A call from the TWSAC rescue boat, My Sharon,meant we would be diving the Blanefield,due to the fact thats where these two below had got there expensive anchor hooked up...

...so this bloke went down to sort it out...

......while this lot sat around drinking tea...

...by the time diving was over and everyone had had a nice beer or two topside the sun was going down....

...heading back in the dark

....into the river and on to get fuel for the morning.

Viz 4-5m

Seven Seas (not) 1/07/11

2011-07-02T14:06:00.000+01:00

Great dive this one.Sent the shot up and headed forward to find myself at the bottom of the engines. Headed up amongst the twisted pipes and brass valves up onto deck next to the toilet sitting outside on its own!
Spent all the dive rummaging around the engine. Hopefully have some video to add in a the next few days thanks to J.

Rambo

Father Time

Del,Rambo,Special

Sunk and raised by liftbags

Mohlen Prie 1/07/11

2011-07-02T13:48:00.000+01:00

J Del and Rambo out for the morning dive.

Dont push me

Diving at the weekend

2011-06-29T18:15:00.000+01:00

Friday 1st July

10.15 Ropes Off HW
17.05 Ropes Off LW

Saturday 2nd

11.00 Ropes Off HW
17.45 Ropes Off LW

Sunday 3rd

06.05 Ropes Off LW
11.40 Ropes Off HW

MidSurrey 27-06-11

2011-06-28T12:58:00.000+01:00

Midsurrey..I don’t think so. Mid channel more like. Jamie and chuckle two have been dropped from the Olympic Games. Hammers throw maybe? But their idea of shot putt was well outside the wrecks boundaries. I know ‘J’ wanted to have clear water to film but this was sneaky. Good to go they lamented as the Commander, Max and I descend the evening twilight. A couple of Jellies pass by as the torch goes on. Mmmmm... Sand. Dave stays with the shot with his metal sub warming the water while imitating a light house. Max moves out 6m, I move a further 6. Now the search, swimming a circle. A few little fish found me then the Bass launching themselves out of nowhere to eat the tidlers, amazing. Wreck can’t be far. Max had found it as well. Better go back for the Commander, can’t leave a man down in a hostile environment. Bored with the light house effect he had now taken to shinning the torch under his chin. Made me jump! Still giddy from the roundabout search effect I blew the shot and with Dave in tow took off with the shot in the total opposite direction. This was noted topside as the marker buoys headed for the shipping lane.

Puffing and weezing this was some work out. Made more apparent as me reg went tight. Wow I had done a tin already. I’m sure there was perspiration on the inside of Dave’s mask as I held my arms up. All this sand and we forgot the bucket and spade!! Let’s go home. The winners I think were the Starfish I’m sure they were pleased to see us, between you and I, I don’t think they get many visitors!!!!

It was still great fun and company and I got to drive home in the dark. Even at 10.30pm didn’t stop he harbour master seeing me. Another rocket, “ATTWOOD, 4, NOT 40 knots” Guess I’m just lucky? Thanks folks....................... Jools

Viz ..5-6m
28m

Scallop Wreck 26-06-11

2011-06-27T17:05:00.000+01:00

Great dive on one of our regualar wrecks. Wrecks upside down but in good viz you can swin underneath from one side to the other in a couple of places.
Viz was slightly down on the earlier dive but whos complaining at 8m viz
32m

Ok..i did forget...i was up at 5am though.

Look mummy

Arseend 26/06/11

2011-06-27T16:51:00.000+01:00

It was a bit of an ask for most people to get to the boat for a 6am away but Chuckle Tours rolled up bleary eyed at 05.30 in thick fog!
"What ya reckon?"
"i dunno,what you reckon?"
To me to you.We decided to go home!

Finally got out for low water midday with a nearly full boat on the Arsend.
Viz was a good 10m
32m

Diving Monday night 27-06-11

2011-06-27T14:41:00.000+01:00

Bit short notice this one,

Viz is good and the suns out so lets make the most of it.
7.40pm Ropes off...

Diving 26th

2011-06-22T18:29:00.000+01:00

Sunday looks ok at the moment...

HW 06.05 Ropes Off

LW 12.45 Ropes Off

Alberts Bones 14/06/11

2011-06-15T19:12:00.000+01:00

Albert’s Funny bone June 14 2011

Another chance to bin work and opt for chuckle tours. We seem to be very fortunate at having a variety of boats at our disposal. Today the flat bottomed PMT. A lively charge that drinks like a fish. Chuckle 2 suggests a slow journey out thus conserving fuel. Excellent choice as money saved can be spent on beer.
Now our barrack room ballads and sea shanties were also turned down as a lady was present on board. Come to think of it a possible princess, with the name of Lisa and her dad’s a King!!! And we aren’t talking Elvis Presley.

The tide was still ebbing away fast as I slalomed around the fishing buoys on our 9 mile punch to Albert’s bones. GPS mark slightly off but with a few decreasing circles the boiler blip showed up and chuckle 2 threw in the shot, to bottom out at 36m. Still running, fishing seemed a good idea. 10 minutes pass and things start to slow up on the surface, with a knot running I pitch over the side. Bit of a drop but I’m off, take my time only to find the shot a few feet from the donkey boiler.

Pigeon

No torch needed with overhead sunshine the sand reflects the light around. The only time it went dark was the wall of fish that closed in while I bagged the shot and tied in. Chuckle 2 had had no luck fishing but I had spotted the Dog fish. Remembering to grab further up the body this time. Nearer the tail and it will turn on you and take chunks out your suit!!! You know what sharks can do, and these jaws are mobile cookie cutters. Veering off down to the stern on the port side the Cod are still hanging around, I looked for the line we ran last time while trying to measure her but no luck. A large pottery shard caught my attention but no identity marks. Swapping regs I rummage off the wreck for tea. Scallops.

To you, to me. One up one down Chuckle 2 takes the plunge. After 20 minutes and no blob up a closer look at the shot buoys indicates where he is. With the waster cut, chuckle balloon rides the water column.
Lisa takes the helm while we empty the goodie bag, that hung over the side. Where did all that beer come from!!!!! “Albert” was that you??
Thanks folks, Jools

Argh, my knees!

Viz 5m
36m LW

video of wreck here

Seaford Ferry report from Dave the Diver

2011-06-12T15:57:00.000+01:00

Friday 10th June - Seaford Ferry

Two weeks had passed since a disastrous dive with the
visibility being reduced to zilch due to planktoon. It's now Friday
10th June and, aboard the charter boat Dive125 out of Eastbourne, eight
of us were eagerly (?) awaiting to get into the water to dive the
Seaford Ferry, which is in 42 meters in mid-channel.The 2 hour steam
out there was relatively calm, with just the occasional few white
horses, and the further out we went the flatter it became. We kitted up
and dropped in the water just after 1pm and as I entered the water I
couldn't believe how crystal clear and turquioise blue the water
appeared. It was so clear you could just drop down and join the shot
line at any depth. As I approached 30 meters I put on the air brakes
and just laid there in the water looking at the whole of this vast
wreck and could see each of the divers on it with such clarity I
couldn't believe it. The visibility must have been 20 metres - the
best I've seen in many a year. The wreck, although broken up and not a
huge amount left, was still very interesting and had lots of copper
piping laying about in the debris. A brilliant dive - would do this
again anytime, let's hope there's more like it to come.

Borneo 11/06/11

2011-06-12T10:30:00.000+01:00

Dropped off the boat and spotted the shot line 10m away....you know its going to be good when that happens.

Go here for more info on the wreck.

Hardly recognise Jamie now after the Botox and nose reduction surgery

"Does my nose look big in this?"

15m+ Vis
41m

Apologies to those that didnt get the emails about diving but it seems the Announce isnt working!!

Scallop Wreck 30-05-11

2011-05-30T16:13:00.000+01:00

Very bad viz due to the May rot in the water...at least its warming up!!

Best side

Ugly side


J got crab(s)

Viz 50cm

31m

12c

2011-05-26T22:36:00.000+01:00

Break in the weather Wednesday so out on PMT for a spot of fishing and beer drinking.

Recovered from Spoon Wreck

2011-05-18T20:47:00.000+01:00

Aye????

In the Mag ....again

2011-05-17T14:04:00.000+01:00

Bottom left bit.

Click here for more info.

Ashford 15/05/11

2011-05-16T13:41:00.000+01:00

Captain Cool

Second dive of the day wasnt much better than the first. Lumpy sea and no viz DOH!
LW 34m
Viz 1m

Divernet wrecktour by John"who ate all the pies"Liddiard here

Arsend 15/05/11

2011-05-16T13:32:00.000+01:00

Everyday in everyway,i am getting better and better mmmm OOw Betty

Trip out to see the Arsend. Unfortunatley there was so much bloom in the water nobody could!

HW 36
11c

TR Thompson

2011-05-15T06:49:00.000+01:00

T R THOMPSON 14 May 2011

I only had one chance to dive this weekend and Iain sealed this with a dive from WASP, early Saturday morning. And then there were three. Dawn had bailed out in favour of gardens in bloom. This would be a good choice, for we were about to enjoy a different bloom.

With Lee at the helm, he fired up the echo sounder in the harbour entrance. 150m ? At that depth Newhaven could accommodate the biggest draft of any ocean going ship. Something’s not right. A look over the stern confirmed a loose transducer. No probs we have cable ties. We had agreed on the Spoon wreck but with two echo sounders on the blink a bigger target would give better odds. Strapped to a gaff, (transducer not me) we searched, found and shot the Thompson.

I followed Iain down the line to the decks at 30m. It looked like it was snowing all the way.1- 2m vis was fine by me. I tied in around the engine block to a mass of pipes. When you can’t see far you concentrate harder on what’s in your torch beam. She’s heavily fished. line and lures all over, but so are the fish. I grabbed at a Cod, which took off like a torpedo. Tompot’s, flit about in the cargo of iron ore. A deck gun is gradually working its way through the collapsing structure. I can only imagine at the impressive site the engine block would be in clearer water as we go aft. A big hole in the twisted hull acts as a holding tank for the fish, wall to wall. I opt out of the drop to the floor as we round the stern and pass the steering quadrant. A large net curtains her port side. We avoid this and go back to explore her holds as the tide starts to get blowy. Bagging a huge bug I’m near my limit, Iain’s on safe gas so I’m going to be Billy no mates on the deco hang. With so many other wrecks to explore round here it’s the first time I’ve got round to diving this one. Well worth another visit when the plankton blizzard has ended. Thanks to Iain and Lee. Dawn, you played your ace!! Jools

H/W 09.00

30m to the decks

12*C

Slack timings out of newhaven

2011-05-10T22:50:00.000+01:00

Hi all,
Over the recent weeks, there has been some debate about slack times in the diving area's out of Newhaven, caused by excessive wait times on the dive site for slack water.
I hope nobody minds but I would like to put here the timings that I work with and they have never failed me, ever, I also have a tidal software programme that I double check with!!! The following will provide any prospective dive organisers the timings to work with.
Ok . there is only one tidal diamond which is relevant for most of the diving we do, and that is in a position some 3 miles south of Beachy Head and is pretty good for the area if diving upto 5 miles to the West and 2 miles to the east and 7/8 miles to the south of this position.
I consider, the water to be diveable when the tidal stream (not a current) is flowing at 0.5 knots or less.
For ease all timings are relevant to HW and LW, NEWHAVEN. Be carefull when reading your tide tables that they are for Newhaven.
On a HW slack, the water is diveable from about 30 minutes before HW, with slack occuring at approx 10 mins after HW and is diveable to about 1 Hr after HW (0.5 kts of tidal stream).
On a LW slack, the water is diveable from about the LW time, slack water being at 25 mins after LW and is divable to about 45 mins after LW(springs) or 1 hour after LW (neaps).
If you are diving in the Western part of the area (City of waterford area) slack timings are about 30 minutes earlier on the LW slack and not much earlier on the HW slack (10 minutes) than the timings given for the Beachy Head diamond.
Transit Time to dive site.
A bit of guidance on travel time. Give 15 minutes to find and shot the wreck if you have a good fix, longer if not. Allow 10 minutes to exit the Harbour, observing the speed limit.
The majority of the wrecks are in the 10/12 miles distance from Newhaven. If the boat is travelling at 25 kts, it will cover 25 Nm in 1 hour, therefore, 12.5 Nm in half an hour.
A mental way of working out how long it will take you to get somewhere is, the 6 minute rule.
Travelling at 30 kts, cover 30 Nm in 1 hour, therefore in 6 minutes, i will cover 1/10 of 30, ie 3 Nmiles in 6 minutes. Work it out from there. 12 minutes cover 6 Nmiles. 9 minutes = 4.5Nm.
If I'm travelling at 22 kts, in 6 minutes I'll cover 2.2 Nmiles. in 24 minutes (2.2 x 4 = 8.8 miles).
Hope some of the above blurb is of use.
Remeber if your doing it in two waves of divers, get there in time to have your divers ready to go at the 0.5kt rate and not slack water. The 2nd wave will have no slack.
Have a good one!!!
Iain

2011-05-09T14:12:00.000+01:00

T R Thompson

2011-05-09T14:07:00.000+01:00

Body of a god,shame its Buddah!

Get the air out first Mr Spencer

Afternoon dive and headed out to the Tr Thompson as a chap had said he lost his anchor and chain. As it turned out he gave us numbers for what was'nt the TR but we dived it anyway!!

Alberts Bones 08/05/11

2011-05-09T14:01:00.000+01:00

Sunday morning at 06.30 looking out of the harbour the heavens opened. The wind blew up the river and for a short while going back to bed seemed a very sensible option. Commander Carr took refuge in the cafe, one of Simon’s sensors on his YBD chilled out and died. What’s the third? That was saved for me..........a shoe full of water as I uncovered the Rib.

I got the job at the helm, pressed ganged into wearing some tartan hat, great image; I look like one of the Krankies.

With a new GPS it was all systems go, good bit of kit with chart overlay and all in glorious TECHNOCOLOR. Beginners luck or the power of that silly hat I wore.

Shot it right on the boilers. Paul and Graham sent in first to confirm the hit. We had a job to do today measure the ole girl. I splash in with Rob, who holds a reel with a lot of line on. With a good 5m and a brief look at the wreck layout we head for the stern. Rob now ties off to the stern post and pays out the line running forward. Over the steering quadrant, mast or prop shaft cover, skirt round the boilers. I try to tie off to the donkey but Rob’ s on a mission( or red bull). My little legs were going twenty to the dozen trying to keep up. At this point the wreck disappears, we know this, so do a quick search for the bow.

In doing so, the line fouls and the reel, birds’ nests. All we can do is cut the line and go back to explore the boiler area. A huge heavy trawl lies just in front covering an interesting area to explore. A capstan lies to the rear with an anchor and smaller winch gear. An agitated Lobster was giving it large to clear off his patch as Rob shouted down his reg time to go. Hooking two bags onto the delayed Rob sent them up. The tide pulled a bit at this, so blew mine mid water and Rob let them go with the tidal pull.

Passing Jamie as the third wave, he was off to measure the beam. With a few more ideas to research will we get a name this year? Keep watching and diving folks, you never know................Jools

Lw 36m

5m viz

10.5c

Coming soon on BBC2

2011-05-06T21:14:00.001+01:00

Hi all, A new Tv series is starting soon on BBC 2, all about diving around the UK, think it starts on the 8th May, see the link http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x8344

Hope the link has worked, it's called "Britains secret seas" looks pretty good, for a change!!

See you all soon,

Iain

Page on U Boats added

2011-05-01T15:25:00.000+01:00

Click here or on the link under Wreck Tours & Videos.