Dive Report for Wednesday 4th September 2024.
For once the wind conditions and the likely viz. allowed us to comply with the Dive Programme which was for a proper night dive at Cricieth. So when I got to the lifeboat station shortly before 8pm to do the essential shore cover all but one of the 6 divers were already there, clearly itching to go. Each of the three pairings headed off in a different direction, with their torch lights clearly visible from the pier throughout their dives. Melanie and Lowri went due East, Andrew and Keiron due South, while Dewi and Mike, who was trying out new twin 7’s, did a semi circle out from the end of the pier to the corner under the castle. All came back in beaming at the amount of life encountered which, with minor differences, was much the same for all and included numerous fish, some unknown, bobtail squid, and lobsters out foraging in the open. While Andrew’s navigation was spot on and Dewi’s was reasonable, Melanie’s was just a bit awry as they were well into the beach when they admitted they were lost and poked their heads up. It was a lovely evening and shore cover was nearly as relaxing as the diving!
David
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Dive report 14-09-24
An opportunity arose for free access to Dorothea quarry via NWTD Club doing a litter pick, BBQ and dive day. So as Melanie, Mike and I were members, and we were allowed a guest each I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for Dewi and I to finally complete our Advanced Diver course. After a chat with David our Advanced Instructor, I went ahead to organise the day, which meant contacting the NWTD club Diving Officer, who requested David and Dewi’s proof of their active BSAC membership and qualifications, as David was an Advanced Diver and Instructor it was quick and easy however, Dewi’s was not so and proof of progression to 40 metres was required. So, after a few back and forward emails, it was on. The gate would be open at 10 am Saturday so I suggested we get there early.
In the morning, I set off to arrive at the gate at about 9:30 but I hadn’t realised that the car I was borrowing was so much slower than mine, which was in the garage being fixed, and to make matters worse all the Sunday drivers were out a day early and just before Nantlle, I was confronted with a ridiculous amount of cyclists which made me a bit later than planned, and ended up in the queue for the gate to be opened. After arriving I was greeted by Melanie, Mike, Dewi and David with a “good afternoon”.
The plan was for David, Dewi and me to go down and do our mask removal and replacement at 20 meters, and the AS assents from 20 meters to 6 meters as donor and recipient and for Melanie and Mike to go for a dive.
After our buddy check we entered the water, with me and Dewi waiting for David to join us, as David walked backwards in the water he slipped and fell sideways, but David managed to make it look planned and demonstrated the benefit of having the regulator in your mouth and BCD inflated while standing in water. After going under we arrived at 10 meters just on the edge of the drop off to 20 meters to start the exercise, when David signalled to stop as he was having difficulty reading his computer, then realised the computer was upside down, after taking it off and putting it back on, the right way this time. After reaching 20 meters we went on with the exercises. We first got the mask removal and replacement out of the way before we started on the lifts as donor and recipient from 20 to 6 and then repeated from 6 to the surface, and surface drills including weights check at 2 meters and weights Jettison in standing depth.
During our 2 hour interval, we did the litter pick, David, Dewi, Melanie and I filled our bags and Mike supervised. Regrettably, the BBQ started a bit late for most of us to think of eating a burger just before a dive, but Melanie chanced it.
The second exercise was again from 20 meters, which involved a Controlled Buoyant Lift (CBL) and rescue breaths with a 50 meter tow. After completing our buddy checks, David realized he had left his computer in the car and didn’t want to make the long walk up the steep hill. Since we weren’t going for a dive, he chose to go without it and make use of our depth and time. Dewi was first, lifting me from 20 meters to 6 meters. Then we separated and returned to 20 meters so I could perform my lift from 20 meters to the surface, followed by surface drills including rescue breaths and a 50 meter tow. Dewi repeated the process from 6 meters to the surface and performed surface drills including rescue breaths and a 50 meter tow, before qualifying as Advanced Divers.
After completing all our exercises Dewi and I checked our air and decided to go for a dive. With me leading, we descended to 25 meters to look at the old buildings and then ascended a bit and went through the tunnel at 20 meters, on exiting the tunnel we dropped down to the road at 27 meters. I had to choose whether to go left towards the petrified forest or go right and around the headland, after checking the temperature, which was 7°C. And considering Dewi was in a semi-dry suit, I opted to go right. We passed the buildings and went up the road over the large boat hull, and then followed the road to 6 meters where we did our safety stop, not far from the steps. The only issue was the walk up the steep track. Melanie and Mike also had a good second dive. It was a very productive day, and thanks to all, especially David.
Dewi and Andrew are now qualified Advanced Divers, and it only took me 6 years, and Dewi 9 years.
Andrew.
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Dive report Saturday 21st of September
With availability and weather looking bad for Sunday it was decided to aim for a Saturday morning shore dive at Porth Ysgaden. Only Enlli phoned in and unfortunately wasn’t able to join on the Saturday due to work commitments so it was a lone buddy pair of diver manager and organiser!
Andrew and I met at Porth Ysgaden for 10:30. There were quite a few people around – a couple of boats had launched and a group of fishermen arrived as we kitted up (Andrew gave them some friendly advice about the best fishing spots i.e. not where we were diving!).
Had a nice 60 minute dive with max depth of 8.8m. Not a huge variety of life but a decent amount of fish to keep it interesting and some huge snakelocks anemones. Andrew also rescued a small spotted cat shark that was attached to an abandoned fishing line.
On the way back in we were mistaken for “baby seals” by an excited family who all had quite a laugh when they saw our heads pop up!
Laura
