The 2nd weekend was to Dartmouth, new territory for most of the Posse, but well worth it. Day one was the Devon Classic of the Maine, a WW1 casualty but still intact and upright so providing a fantastic dive. Viz was 5-6m and the depth meant that it was a good enjoyable dive. The Skipper shotted the wreck at the stern and most worked their way forward getting the best out of their time.
Lunch was in sheltered bay near Salcombe, but the boat had a definite lean over to starboard on the way there. At lunchtime we discovered the cause- the size of the DIY lunch that skipper Tony Hoile had prepared was stored on the same side of the boat as Neill, so once Neill swapped sides the boat rode true again. On the way to the afternoon site, we had 4 seasons in one day. Torrential rain and hail, thunder lightening, all of which Brian and Jo braved whilst the rest sheltered under the awning.
Dive 2 was tucked under Prawle Point and consisted of a number of rocky fingers protruding in a SW direction, covered in anemonies and other reef life. Dom and Suzi found a Huss chasing its tail.
Day 2 dawned a beautiful day that bronzed the crew all the way to Start Point Lighthouse where a reef dive to East saw a fantastic array of reef life and the most extensive mussel beds in the area of the Start Point race. We however dived at slack water. Neill, Brian and Rob discovered the remains of a wreck, thought to be the "lost" wreck of Marana (previously believed to be W of the Lighthouse). The second dive was again on the Maine and it was better than the first, everyone having a better idea of what was where. All had a good dive, but John and Neil racked up 12 mins of deco by getting lost - almost eclipsing John R and Alan Smith's epic "losing the Maine" 3 years ago!
Another fabulous DIY lunch followed and the long trip back to Dartmouth. However the blazing sunshine has other hidden delights. About 20 seals were hauled out at Start Point and we got really close without them spooking. Taking the longer route on outside of the Skerries bank Alan spotted a dorsal fin and it was a 2.5m baby Basking Shark hovering up plankton so the trip was more rewarding than normal. Well done Dartmouth, you have come up trumps.
Chris
Lunch was in sheltered bay near Salcombe, but the boat had a definite lean over to starboard on the way there. At lunchtime we discovered the cause- the size of the DIY lunch that skipper Tony Hoile had prepared was stored on the same side of the boat as Neill, so once Neill swapped sides the boat rode true again. On the way to the afternoon site, we had 4 seasons in one day. Torrential rain and hail, thunder lightening, all of which Brian and Jo braved whilst the rest sheltered under the awning.
Dive 2 was tucked under Prawle Point and consisted of a number of rocky fingers protruding in a SW direction, covered in anemonies and other reef life. Dom and Suzi found a Huss chasing its tail.
Day 2 dawned a beautiful day that bronzed the crew all the way to Start Point Lighthouse where a reef dive to East saw a fantastic array of reef life and the most extensive mussel beds in the area of the Start Point race. We however dived at slack water. Neill, Brian and Rob discovered the remains of a wreck, thought to be the "lost" wreck of Marana (previously believed to be W of the Lighthouse). The second dive was again on the Maine and it was better than the first, everyone having a better idea of what was where. All had a good dive, but John and Neil racked up 12 mins of deco by getting lost - almost eclipsing John R and Alan Smith's epic "losing the Maine" 3 years ago!
Another fabulous DIY lunch followed and the long trip back to Dartmouth. However the blazing sunshine has other hidden delights. About 20 seals were hauled out at Start Point and we got really close without them spooking. Taking the longer route on outside of the Skerries bank Alan spotted a dorsal fin and it was a 2.5m baby Basking Shark hovering up plankton so the trip was more rewarding than normal. Well done Dartmouth, you have come up trumps.
Chris
