The Phreatic Zone

We arrived quayside at 0030hrs on Friday morning after a long drive from Warwickshire and loaded our bags onto the boat (The Loyal Mediator) http://www.geministorm.co.uk/.

After a bit of a racket, we were soon joined by Davey Willo having climbed out of his scratcher to find out what the noise was. Soon, we were down in the saloon having a quick beer and chat before bed!

I awoke to the smell of bacon & sausage, so quickly got dressed & washed and took my place at the table. After a hearty breakfast, we unloaded the dive kit from the cars and began setting up our gear as the skipper steamed out to the first dive site.

Day 1, Dive 1: Thesis
Team: Me, Phil Osbourne & Dave Dowson

We dropped down onto the wreck and had a good mooch around the entire wreck before dropping down into the holds for a good shifty. The dive went well and without any problems although some mis-communication developed due to a little bit of a current running. All in, a pretty good dive.

Once back on the boat, the usual banter was in full swing with all teams chatting away, stowing kit and preparing to receive the next fill of 32. The skipper now had a plate of hot broth on the go with cheese & ham rolls to boot followed by as much hot coffee as you liked down in the saloon….Just what the doctor ordered!

Day 1, Dive 2: Breda
Team: Me, Phil Osbourne & Dave Dowson

Pre-dive plan and we swapped roles and dropped down again onto the wreck. This was a class dive. Lots to see, places to go and big enough for all 4 teams to mingle about without bumping into each other. There were lots of cool swim throughs to test your technique on and a few great pics could be had too. The ascent went well and on the whole this dive was a classic.

All teams were buzzing by the time everyone got back on the boat.
We stood on the bow as we made our way back into Oban, with beautiful scenery a great day with superb company….all that was missing now was the kleenex!!

Quick shower, dinner A la George and off into Oban for a quick pint of heavy!
 
Day 2, Dive 1: Rondo
Team: Me, Phil Osbourne & Dave Dowson

After breakfast we set off for the wreck, a very distinctive dive and one certainly not for the faint hearted. The top of the wreck sits in 6m whilst the bottom rests on the sea bed at 51m. So like a wall dive, you can really pick your own depth and have a good look around.

Due to the layout of the wreck, most teams emerged around 16m towards the end of the dive, so it got pretty busy, pretty quickly and keeping track of the team was certainly a challenge. The ascent was a bit messy and in general, no one enjoyed the dive. Back on the boat Which was moving quite a bit with the sea state, there were plenty of dummies, teddies and the likes.

So after a quiet lunch consisting of soup and parmasan rolls we were ready to go in again, this time on the Hispania

Day 2, Dive 2: Hispania
Team: Phil Hopkins (Diving Knackers)

We dropped down onto the bow of this wreck and hovered for a min or so to let Phil dial in his bouyancy and generally get sorted, being as this was only his 3rd UK sea dive!

We moved along the wreck having a good look at the holds, deck and bridge. There was some current running so we had to keep below deck level to avoid it. Communicating this to Phil proved challenging as he thought I was motioning him into the holds 

After a quick conversation on wet notes, we continued along the wreck. This by far is my favourite wreck, the size, condition and access were IMO perfect. We thumbed the dive at 45mins and carried out a very sweet ascent.
I was most impressed with Phil, considering he’s just done DIRF, he stayed with me, in position with good control. A class dive in general

We pulled alongside a barge in Tobermory and visited the Mishnish for a few pints and a few drams of the local nectar. Soon the place was in full swing with live band and much banter. A great night and end to the day.

Day 3, Dive 2: Breda
Team: Me, Phil Knackers & Dave Dowson

I couldn’t equilise my ears beyond 7m so canned the dive and relayed my message onto the team.

All in all, a great weekends diving, with great company, on a great boat with a great skipper/cook & blender.

Thanks to Jen and Willo for organising the gig and for the invite, Phil Knackers for the spares supply, transportation and dive, Phil O and Dave Dowson for teaming up and making the dives run so smooth, Eric for his cave stories and the rest of the guys on the gig who made it a most enjoyable event!

Can’t wait for the next one!