paralell lines

i had a random call recently from a guy called pat, he is a diver and was after an air fill. he only lives in the next village and i would be nice and close. during our conversation he was also interested in a course or two as well. he is one of the co-ordinators of the cornwall search and rescue team (mountain rescue) and is putting together a team of ‘experts’ in all fields of search and rescue, including diving.

so now i am on call as an ‘expert’ on underwater rescue along with mark ellyatt. we have an option to dive a local mine which they use for ropes practice, something i’ve been trying arrange for ages.

Popularity: 100% [?]

i’ve been diving a lot recently, mainly commercial stuff i.e. scallop diving. i keep modifying my kit and bag combination, forever hopeful of a larger catch. i’ve modded some standard bags and made my main bag from cargo netting. together they’re capable of holding 50 dozen and i managed to fill them all the other day in one dive, so they’re all being modded again………

Popularity: 68% [?]

well the last long run has been done. it’s now taper down time over the next 3 weeks. yesterdays long run wasn’t what i’d call ‘traditional’ but i was on my feet a long time. it’s been going reasonably, although i have been struggling beyond 15 miles. d-day is april 26th.

Popularity: 56% [?]

i know us british have a fascination with the weather but it’s just been so good down here recently. for the last week or so the weather has been sunny and very little wind, it’s allowed me to dive nearly every day. the weather has helped tremendously with the visibility underwater and we’ve been getting 6-7 at least on every dive. i’ve managed to find a few trinkets including a circular lead weight which a local fisherman reckons is 100 years old, an old pot lid, some copper plate anti-fouling and a small ink bottle. nothing of value but of some interest, to me anyway.

the forecast is looking good for the next week so we’re going to do some exploratory dives in places we’ve never dived before, always fun as long as it’s not just sand!!

Popularity: 63% [?]

it snowed last week, here’s a few pics I took

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what a hassle that has been!! new photo ‘cos i don’t look like i did 10 years ago, it was signed without my middle name so had to get that re-done. teh countersignature on the passport application had a tiny error on it that would have been rejected too. luckily i used the post office check and send service as i’m away early march.

Popularity: 63% [?]

as part of the marathon training i need to run some races, today was the mounts bay 10k at marazion. a hilly course that is a little testing at times, especially the last 1/2 mile up hill. today the weather was very cold and windy, 30 mph easterlies, but the goody bag was nice with a proper wicking t-shirt. my first race of the 2009 cornish grand prix calendar and not my fastest.

Popularity: 63% [?]

it’s a bit windy for diving today, 30+ mph winds make it a little awkward getting into the boat. i’d just made myself a new goody bag as well.

Popularity: 56% [?]

well i’ve managed to get a space in the london marathon again. i’ve been rejected by the ballot several times and only been accepted once in 6 years. i have won a position in my running clubs ballot 4 out of 6 times now. so training has started and i’ve managed to get myself a non running related injury already! it’ll put me back 2 weeks in my training so i’ll have to aim for a slower time, i was being a little optimistic with my projected time though.

Popularity: 56% [?]

Dive Details

Launched from – Kyle Of Lochalsh
Boat used – Brendan
Date – 26-08-2006
Time – 11:53
Max Depth – 24.3m
Duration – 84 minutes
Temp – 13C
Rating – 5

WW2 Mine Layer

The Port Napier was a 498 feet long 9,600 tons ship that was under construction in June 1940 for the well established Port Line. It was requisitioned and converted to a mine layer and while being loaded it caught fire, it was towed towards Skye where it eventually sank after an explosion. It ended up on its starboard side in about 18-20m. Situated on the Skye side of Loch Alsh it breaks the surface on a low tide making it an easy dive. To dive it we launched from Kyle of Lochalsh and headed the short distance over to the wreck site. The boat we were using was the one which had been chartered for our Skye trip starting the following day. I had heard a lot of good things about this wreck and thought it was a good idea to have a look while I had the chance.

Norwegian Lobsters

One of the things I decided I wanted to photograph was a Norwegian Lobster as they litter the bottom of the Loch, hopefully there would be some around the wreck. What I didn’t expect was such great visiblility, as far as 20m in places. The wreck has a permanent shotline tied to its mast, which sits at about 7m, I just followed the mast to the wreck and made my way to the sea bed. Heading towards the bow I came across severeal of the Norwegian Lobsters, locally known as prawns, as well as hermit crabs, velvet swimming crabs, anemones, urchins, feather stars, whelks, dead mans fingers, common starfish, brittle stars, sea stars and sun stars. The wreck itself is surprisingly intact, much of the deck planking is still in place and most of the structure is easily recognisable. Just in front of the mast is the deck gun, and further forward some of the railings are still in place. I made my way towards the stern looking for the mine laying tracks and tunnels, as I got closer the visibility wasn’t looking so good. I reached the stern and found the tunnels, but unfortunately someone had been there before me and had disturbed the silt, I decided it wasn’t a good idea to enter the wreck this time. I made my way back towards the gun and then back to the mast. Hanging from the mast are huge pieces of kelp and a few pieces of rope. The ropes were covered in life, peacock worms and sea squirts to name a few. The mast is also covered in life including anemones, feather stars, sea squirts and sponges. The time flew and I decided to exit after 84 minutes, we had the oppurtunity of a second dive so I could explore a little more then.

Not enough takers

Everyone enjoyed the dive, but unfortunately as everyone had done a lot of travelling and the weather had started to get a little windy, the second dive didn’t happen as there wasn’t enough takers. Everyone wanted to get up to their accommodation for the coming weeks diving in the waters around Skye. That sounded like a good idea, although I would have preffered a second dive on the Port Napier.

A very easy and pleasant dive for any level of diver, if the conditions are always like this then it will be well worth a visit. I would if I had the chance.

Popularity: 68% [?]