The forecast was force 4 to 5 SW. But we went anyway. Malcolm, Hugh, Karen, Don and his friend Ian. We met Dukey to the West of the Melt (Maen Mellt to just about everybody else). He had a great dive there the day before. However while we were getting ready to go in the sea really started to get agitated. We retreated to Porth Ferin.
David & Hugh dived to the north of Porth Ferin to free a lobster pot. We were surprised to find a conger eel in the pot along with some small lobsters. See first two photographs. On exiting the pot, the conger decided to come over and inspect my pee zip, luckily it was in a good mood and did not attempt to take cuttings, before slowly swimming off. Malcolm and Ian did the second wave, and also had a good dive, while Hugh took Karen for her first open water dive. Karen’s dives can only get deeper!
On arriving back at port, Don & Ian went off home leaving the rest of us to to recover, wash down, cover and store the boat. Thanks Don.
The following was discussed:
Expeditions.
Loch Fyne. David W Jones is going to organise a trip 30th October – 2nd November for sports divers and above. It shouldn’t be too expensive. B&B £45 for 3 days. Get in touch with him ASAP if interested.
English Channel. Julie and Mike are going to investigate the possibilities.
South America. Malcolm is researching a diving holiday there. Cost £2000+ and the rest at the moment.
Winter Pool Club Nights.
Start as usual in September. Committee would await the result of cost of producing OHPs for training. Gwyn & David will have a word with the leisure centre.
Mariner Outboard.
Malcolm will advertise it on EBay with a reserve and also get an advert in Loot.
Committee will meet next on Tuesday 26th in the Vic.
In very murky conditions David W Jones completed his rescue skills review, DO7, part of the new dive leader qualification. Carol acting as the victim (sorry casualty) was lifted from 15 metres by “controlled buoyant lift” and then towed 50 metres to safety while being given AV. Visibility at the surface was fantastic, however below 6 metres there was an algae bloom which only cleared around 18 metres. It gave us quite a surprise to find such poor visibility. Thanks to Mags and Phil for providing shore cover.
David W Jones passed his Dive Leader written assessment.
Mike Duke very kindly launched his RIB so that Club members could get an evening boat dive from Porth Ysgaden. What an excellent dive it was. Carol and Hugh, Dylan and Mike were the two couples in the boat. The visibility was excellent probably at least 6 metres. The current was not excessive. We saw a balan wrasse, gravel sea-cucumber, rose coral, cuttlefish with ink discharge, topnot, large spiny spider crab, long legged spider crabs, two very large edible crabs (up to no good) and several dogfish. Not a bad collection. David Jones took Arwyn for a shore dive in the bay at Porth Ysgaden.
Club dive to St Tudwals. Don, Mickey, Neil, Mick & David Jones made an unsuccessful attempt to locate the submarine cable from the west island to the mainland, even to the extent of carrying out a search of the island. This revealed only that cormorants tend to eat a lot of flat fish, leaving plenty of bits for later! The viz. was good and the weather warm. Even so both pairs managed to get separated during their dives along the east coast of the island! Mick then had his first sea dive, a well weighted drift along the east coast of the island. The only problem was when his weight belt slipped and ended up around his knees. But the problem was handled well and he’s on his way………….to getting a pair of braces!!!
(DWJ)
Shore dive in the Menai Straits. Hugh & David Jones had a brilliant dive at low water slack. Everyone should try this. See the dive plan.
(DWJ)
