We left from Brighton Marina
Monday 4th May 2006 at 0700 on Nauticat, and motored accross
the Channel for 3hrs and dived en-route mid-channel on the HMAT Warilda (50m). Built in 1906. After we again motored
for another 3hrs over to Fe' Camp in France with all our dive
kit aboard, where we stayed one night at Le Grand Hotel. The
following day on our return we dived the HMHS LanFranc (52m). Built in 1906 as a commercial liner and hospital
ship. Was heading for Southampton when sank, 17 German Soldiers
died. The Warilda is at 50m max and stands
10m high and the Lanfranc is at 52m depth and stands 12m high
off the seabed. Both were converted from Liners to Hospital ships
and are an awesome sight :0) !!!
We had a great dive on the HMS
Warilda. We descended down the line and decided to take a left
to find the large gun which had fallen off the stern. Alot of
her railings are still very clear to spot and so much big stuff.
You can't see for looking. Well worth a longer dive or two on.
The visability we managed to get was a good 10m which was at
least 8m more than what was recorded in local water around Brighton
at the same time. Our dive plan was 50.3m with a run time of
60mins. The water temp was 10c, our back gas was 23% 02 and 28%
Helium with 40% travel and 70% deco.
We were pleasantly surpriced
with the standard of the Le grand Hotel and look forward to using
it again. We ventured out for the evening and had some local
fair which was not quite up to stratch. I was unsure of where
the muscle dish I had actually came from. Very small muscles.
Anyway all in all we managed to excite the head waiter into a
food frenzy for us load UK divers and had a great evening. next
morning most of us had breakfsat in the hotel, others ate pastries
from the local pattiserie. Again we motored out for 3hrs and
dived the Lan Franc. Again a fantasticly intact wreck in clear
water. Dive profile was 52m for a run time of 70mins with a back
gas of 23/30 and 40% travel and 70% deco. We found alot of glass
bottles lying around the wreck reletively untouched. We ended
the dive doing my favourite stairing at the bow and looking down
the whole wreck ( or as far as 10-15m would go). At theis point
my buddy lost her very expensive S.E.A.L Reel. There is a reward
out of a bottle of Champagne to the lucky diver who retrieves
her reel. Her name is written on it plus a neatly tied DSMB is
attached. Please call Caroline Trewhitt if you find it on +44
7764 170 024.
If you like Deep, Dark and Dangerous
diving then these dives are definetly not for you.
Nauticat is a 33ft
Blyth catamaran, built to D.O.T. specification and conforming
to Marine Safety Agency requirements, she is licensed to carry
12 passengers + 2 crew up to 60 miles from any safe haven. Powered
by her twin Iveco engines, each producing 300hp, gives a boat
cruising speed of around 14 knots and a top boat speed of around
20 knots. Electronic aids
include two GPS's & one differential GPS systems, PC / plotter,
two depth sounders, two VHF radio's and a radar. For the French & Isle of Wight trips,
and the Eastbourne weeks, there will be a onboard compressor
available, giving a charging rate of 14cfm to a pressure of 232bar.
Safety equipment includes two Oxygen
Therapy Units, always ready for emergency use and for which there
is no charge, a 1st Aid Kit is also carried. Two life-rafts and
life jackets for 14 people, and a full flare pack is carried
at all times. Whilst on the boat 3rd party insurance cover up
to £2m provided.
A canopy covered rear deck gives
shelter from sunshine and spray or the wind and rain, there is
also ample seating for 6 available inside.Tea & coffee is
always available. There is
an electric toilet fitted for pump free easy action use.
Easy access onto the boat when
loading, this is because the back of the boat has had the transom
cut away to make it easy for loading and unloading. Entry into the water is by a giant stride
from the rear of the boat. Getting
back onto the boat could not be easier, this is via a transom
mounted ladder, which is only 5 steps and then your back onto
the flush deck of the boat.
A centre bench system for your
dive gear, runs down the centre of the boat, cylinders on top
and dive boxes and bags underneath, this keeps the deck clutter
free and easy to walk around.
Fe'Camp
France
www.fecamp.com
Visit the French fishing town
of Fe'camp, situated on the eastern end of the Seine Bay, In
between Le'Havre and Dieppe on the Normandie coast, for excellent
diving.
During the 2nd World War, Fe'camp
was used by the Germans as a midget submarine base, where many
successful missions were carried out. Today this town on the
Normandy coast is alive to the hustle and bustle for the French
tourist industry, as one of their favourite getaways. As well
as being a major fishing port, Fe'camp is full of history, which
can be seen all around. There is also the Benedictine monastery,
where the Benedictine wine is produced , visitors are welcome
for guided tours. There is plenty of accommodation available,
French or English, and the hotel Anglettere with its English
bar is a favourite. There is also a camp site, 10 minutes from
the harbour, which has mobile homes for hire or you can pitch
your tent. Plenty of restaurants to choose from, at very reasonable
prices.
The diving around Fe'camp will
range from a depth of 25 - 45 metres, depending on experience,
and the wrecks you will be diving will be mainly from the 1st
and 2nd World Wars.
These could include two British
minesweepers HMS Britomart and HMS Hussar, both sunk on the same
day whilst minesweeping off Cap D'antifer, mistaken for the enemy
by British rocket firing Typhoon planes, they were sent to the
bottom and now lie at a depth of 33 metres. Another, in 34mtrs
is HMS Eden, a 1st World War destroyer, sunk in collision on
16th June 1916. The merchantman Ikaria, was en-route to the battle
of the Somme, when she struck a mine and sank 4 miles off shore,
she stands some 15mtrs high in a depth of 25mtrs. There are lots
of wrecks to choose from, many unidentified and most, very rarely
dived. The marine life is absolutely incredible, teaming with
fish, crabs and lobsters, and free swimming congers. The only
thing is, the reason that there is so much to see and look, at
is because the French have a strict law which states, that no
one shall, whilst diving with aqualung remove anything from the
seabed or especially from any ship wreck, be it metal or edible.
And this is a strict rule which applies to everyone, look don't
touch.
Warilda 50mtrs max and
she stands 10mtrs high
& on the way back we dive the Lanfranc and she is 52mtrs
max and stands 12mtrs
high of the seabed, both were converted from Liners to Hospital
ships and are an awesome sight.
More usefull links
battleships-cruisers.co.uk
uboat.net
Le Grand Hotel
Room
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