Bank Holiday diving, first club boat outting with the new engine, cold northerly winds and Dewi in his Semi dry what could possibly go wrong!!
Dewi edged his bets rather go for the later start and dive the more interesting North side he decided on the early start and opted for the South side. The boat was fetched from its winter home in Rhiw and lodged at Glan Erch, Pencaenewydd on Friday night and Mike fitted the new prop on Saturday – we were good to go. Five divers phoned in with one opting out immediately hearing of the early start (Andrew obviously has a crystal ball!!). This left David, Neil Jake, Mike and Dewi to to get Sea Wasp’s season up and running.
A 7.45am start at Pwllheli saw everybody arrive promptly, the start to the day wasn’t good, Mike announcing he wouldn’t be diving due to Bretts cold, David was to follow stating he was doubtful due to dodgy guts but would review when on the sea (very brave). The boat was prepared with all the kit and launched with not a sole about. Mike handed Dewi the keys to the rib, he declined stating “you can break it first”. With only Jake and Neil definitely doing the first dive Mike plotted a course for the Tudwals but it would appear that the depth sounder was not working. The new engine purred along a flat sea, the we arrived in no time.
The command came for divers to kit up, Mike’s smooth driving clearly sorted David out and we had three divers for the first dive. All divers were busy getting their kit on and nearing their buddy checks when it happened.
Yes you guessed it, Mike broke the engine, it spluttered coughed and eventually gave up. Frantic efforts were made to get it going with all attempts failing. Divers de-kitted and despite further efforts we couldn’t get the engine going. What to do, we had jockey engine which hadn’t been used in battle for years. Lucky for us David had brought the fuel can, it was hooked up with Dewi tugging at the pull chord to get it going, with no response i’m sure we were all thinking what else can go wrong, by this time we were drifting on the tide. All of a sudden it sparked into life, we were saved!!!
We commence back for the island at a blistering pace of 2-3knots, it took us about 30minutes to get into Church bay the east side of the island where we anchored and took stock. Neil came with a plan to hook the auxiliary tank to the main engine and commenced adapting hoses but only to find that the fittings were different. The decision was made to head inshore for Abersoch, Jake making a quick call to his father who happened to be on the Yacht club launch to rescue us if it was required. We headed for Abersoch main beach and reached a flat out speed of 4 knots eventuall arriving in another 30 minutes. Dewi called his daughter for a lift back to Pwllheli to fetch the trailer so we could recover the boat and deposit at Harbour Marine.
Some important lessons have been learnt.
1. Don’t dare Mike to break something because he loves a challenge.
2. Don’t let Dewi Manage the first club boat outting of the season, this is the second season in a row that its happened on his watch.
3. We do need to try the Jockey on every dive it saved further embarrassment today.
4. The importance of doing an easy day on the first outting, imagine if we had gone on the North side.
Anyway we survived, the engine is miss firing and Harbour Marine will definately maybe prioritise the issue on Tuesday. Happy shore diving
Dewi
Episode 2 The Empire Strikes Back !!
After last week’s debacle, Sea Wasp was left at Harbour Marine. After testing it was found that the lower fuel pump had salt ingress. Only a small amount but enough for the computer to cut the supply to the engine. (see photo)
A new fuel pump was fitted, under warranty by Harbour Marine. They also tested the boat on the water. No problems.
On Sunday morning 12th May, I decided that as there were only 3 of us (David, Dewi and myself) and only 1 boat) we wouldn’t dive but would give the engine a really good run.
Harbour Marine launched us on the Pwllheli slip. We gently left the harbour at 10:15hrs.
We gradually increased revs up to 5000. She flew at 25 kn.
David put in the marker for Firefly 1 and we made our way to Pen Y Chain. Wreck located, we then set off for for the Causeway Bell (cardinal mark). Photo attached.
What is it telling you? Answers on a postcard and send to me ha ha.
We had lunch out there then returned to Pen y Chain at 5000 revs. we located the little reef there.
We returned to Gimblet looking for the sewer outlet – failed. Returning to the harbour at 13:30 hrs without a blip. Total running time 3.5 hrs,approx 30 miles, mostly at 5000rpm. No problem, hooray.
Harbour marine recovered us they also repaired the Dragonfly – loose connection.
I drained fuel from the fuel separator . No water found in the system. Photo (Yes it is fuel in the bottle!)
No diving but a successful and satisfying day. Wash down at Pendre.
PS Dewi finally took the helm !!
Mike
Well the callers were thin on the ground with Andrew, Keiron and Dewi phoning in.
So we had Andrew, Keiron, Nia, Melanie and myself as Dewi backed out on Wednesday.
We met up at 6:30 and Adrian took all the kit down as my truck was off the road.
The pairings started off as Andrew and Keiron, and Melanie and Nia with me following on behind.
By all accounts Melanie ended up with Andrew and Keiron on the way out at some point and joined up with us on the turnabout where we all met up for a chat.
Andrew had found one of my lost Anchors for the keep pot, so we tried in vain to lift it but failed miserably.
Never the less we saw a few spider crabs(100s),ballan wrasse ,corkwings, a fair number of Huss eggs, dogfish egg and all these were newly laid. Andrew saw a greater pipe fish.
On the return the navigation was good straight to the channel, some took the usual scenic root to get there.
On the way in Nia found a phone, yes the phone that was lost October the 25th last year with 18 quid still in the case.
After soaking the phone in fresh water over night and then drying it off Nia put it onto charge and yes it still works.
Mickey lost his glasses which I have since found.
After we went up to the gun room for scones, jam and cream and a refreshing cup of tea.
Thanks to Adrian for the lift down and Mickey for doing shore cover, as this helped in Nia’s success in finding the phone for sure.
Brett.
