Storm
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'The skipper Rod's
local knowledge and expertise is unsurpassed'
We planned a
slightly unusual trip to Plymouth meaning we avoided the over
dived Scylla and James Egan Lane. We wanted to dive on wrecks
never dived by ouselves before. On thursday the 22nd June a few
of us set off as we had planned a deep dive on the thursday.
Our journey started with a 1:30hr M25 conjestion. Once passed
the remianing journey was fault free. The B&B and boat set-up
were run by the same people. Very nice B&B and we also had
packed lunches each day costing £6.
STORM is a Mitchell Sea Angler which has been
used exclusively as a dive boat for many years, and is well equipped
with the usual navigational aids ie:- ( radar/ GPS/ sounder/
VHF ). She has toilet and galley facilities with plenty of hot
and cold drinks available throughout the day. Storm complies
with the Code of Practice for small commercial vessels and with
a range of 20 miles from Plymouth covers all the popular dive
sites in the area. All the necessary safety equipment is carried
and while Storm is licensed for 10 divers with equipment, 8 is
the optimum.
Storm is skippered by Rod Davies (a Cornishman) who has a RYA/ Offshore
(commercially endorsed) qualification and over the years has
built up an extensive local knowledge. He is very ably partnered
on the boat by Ann Young who is also a qualified skipper (RYA/
Coastal) and is a fully trained First Aid Instructor. Both hold
the City of Plymouth Boatman's Licence.
Diving from Storm is not recommended
for rough sea conditions or twinset divers. Exiting the boat
involves straddling the edge of the boat with one leg on the
deck and the legs knee resting on the edge. You then flop into
the water. Getting back on the boat is a metal ladder but you
have to kneel again on the deck edge and then swing one leg over
onto the floor. Very tricky if the boat rocks at all. Very cramped
with 10 divers as well. Plus we couldn't get to dive the Maine
as Storms top speed was 5knots and would not get to the wreck
in time.
On Friday three
of us dived The Totnes
Castle on
Trimix. Bit too shallow for such a rich gas but at least we could
think clearly. Viz 6m and water temperature was 13c. Still quite
chilly for this time of year and behind on average sea temperatures.
Quite a small upwright wreck but covered in life. She was a paddle
steamer and sank in 1967 on way (towed) to Plymouth. We spotted
a entagled Conga Eel and attempted to free it from the knots
of fishing line it had got its self in. We maanged to use our
trauma shears to eventually free the COnga. Not somehting I would
recommend doing in case it was not as thankful as expected. However,
it was off to nurse its wounds in some deep hole in the wreck,
hopefully to live another day. Trimix I used was 25/20 with a
70% Deco. Dive Plan was;
44m 30mins 22/20
24m 1/34 22/20
21m 1/35 22/20
18m 1/36 22/20
15m 3/39 22/20
12m 3/42 70
9m 3/45 70
6m 18/63 70
Surface at 67mins
On Friday afternoon we dived Glen Strathllan
once a trwaler then a gentlemans yacht. It was built in 1928
(330 tons/45m long). It was sunk south west of the Shagstone
on 27th April 1970 for diver training purposes. It lies about
15m and is a good second dive.. We had a thoroughly enjoyable
weekend though and woudl recommed the B&B and the boat for
small groups of single tankers only. With a local wreck itinerary
request.
On saturday we dived the Persier which is broken up but very intersting a wreck.
I found part of a plate but alas had no markings. Great swim
through once we pasted the veyr long mast and crows next. Viz
was 7m and water temp 13c.The persier sank in 1946.
Saturday afternoon we dives the Fairy Hull Wreck. This is a new site areacalled Fairyland Coast
just being opened up to divers. very small wreck but 7m viz.
Spotted a large Anglerfish minding its own business and a dogfish.
Sunday started with the Rosehill. This
was the best dive of the weekend. I did a long dive on twins
for this. There were big congers in a funnel. Big sheet panels
smothered the sea floor. If you follow the flattened panels you
eventuall get to the propellor where two blades are in the sand
while one sits upwright in full view. Behind is an impressive
rudder and slightly to one side is the gun. Proudly pointing
upwoulds still protecting the boat. We had 8m viz.
Our last dive was The Poulmic, very
scattered and barley recognisable as a wreck. However, she lay
within some interesting gullies and I found some china with a
Plymouth stamp on the back. The Poulmic struck a mine while mine
sweeping 6th October 1940.
A highly recommeded
place to dive and a great packed lunch. If you have a technical group you will need to
find a boat with seating areas and benches. Unfortuntely Storm
had neither so we struggled with this. But it was a good experience
and now know what Storms limitations are. Great for single tank
divers with a max group size of eight. |
