False Lights

2009-05-30T06:32:00.002Z

http://www.divesitedirectory.co.uk/uk_wales_pembrokeshire.html

http://www.gooddive.com/uk-diving/pembroke-diving.htm

http://www.llantrisantdivers.com/pembroke.htm

2009-05-30T05:56:00.002Z

some links for Pembrokeshire.

http://www.dive-in2-pembrokeshire.com/ds_smalls.htm

http://www.seasearch.co.uk/downloads/SMALLS%20JULY%202005web.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o86r9jZ1wOA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlN4hzopW90&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX38S0YaaPI&feature=related

http://www.dive-in2-pembrokeshire.com/ds_skomer.htm

http://www.dive-in2-pembrokeshire.com/ds_skokholm.htm

2009-01-16T22:12:00.001Z

I have a Engines football blog at www.enginesfc.blogspot.com

New Year's Resolution

2008-12-30T09:23:00.003Z

This is from one of my favourite blogsNew Year?s resolution ? would you like to become happier? Good Medicine

It fits well with some of these Noble Eightfold Path - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

so if we skip the religious taint then i'm going to;
exercise more.
eat less and better quality.
enjoy the dives not the process and kit.
meditate and be more mindfull.
cherish my loved ones more.

CBT formulation of training dive anxiety.

2008-12-21T08:46:00.001Z

The Last Resort!

2008-08-31T09:55:00.001Z

Pointy Heads and canned dives.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/content/webcams/looe_harbour_webcam.shtml

Who watches the weather watchmen?

2008-08-31T09:50:00.002Z

http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/webcams/plymouth_webcam.shtml

Plymouth sound web cam.

Celestial Warning

2008-08-26T06:18:00.001Z

verily thou hast been warnedeth

Late September Sun.

2008-08-23T13:37:00.001Z

"If God persists, persists in saying yes; I guess we'll have, we'll have to test ourselves. Maybe the Summer, will come and clear our minds. And find the impulse, to love the sunshine".

I declare the rainy season over. The Sun will shine and the wind will sleep until late september.

Well it's a most peculiar feeling, like sunburn in the evening

2008-06-11T21:16:00.002Z

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

At least a beaten dog knows how to lie.

2008-06-11T21:02:00.003Z

Whilst not 100% sure, I think I've done every dive of every posse diving weekend that has taken place dating back to when we first started in 2002. During this time, I've had some extremely memorable trips including last year when we saw the basking shark, the first time that we visited the Eddystone aboard the Amoco and two excellent visits to Falmouth. None of these compare though with the weekend that we've just had.

Why was it so good? Well I thought the combination of weather, sites, skipper and some excellent good fortune combined almost perfectly. Even though the Maine was a slightly controversial choice, given that it can also be accessed from Plymouth, I think the contrasting reports of visibility on the two sides of Start Point proved that it was the correct one. We were also extremely fortunate to get on it both times on slack and, even better, to get it to ourselves on the Saturday. I've been looking forward to getting back here for a long time and was really pleased to be able to explore it pretty much fully over the two dives.

Whilst neither of the other two dive sites suggested that they were going to compete with the Maine, I was very pleasantly surprised with them. If you saw nothing on the Saturday pm dive then I suspect you'll have found it very dull but we were lucky enough to spot the Bull Huss and a lobster that made the dive. I believe that Fluff/Rudders also saw the dogfish on steroids too! Sunday's dive was also unpromising but was a first for me as I'd never dived on mussel beds before. The quantity of edible crabs was also far in excess of anything I'd seen before. If only I can persuade my wife to overcome her membership of the crustacean protection league. Of course, the most exciting aspect of the Sunday morning dive was the (re)discovery by Brian, Neill and Rob of the boiler and bows of some long lost wreck. It isn't often that you see a skipper get quite that excited by something that newcomers have discovered!

Added to some great and varied sites was the weather and sea state that meant even the normal suspects managed to largely escape seasickness. A thunder, lightning and severe hail storm added a bit of excitement to proceedings but didn't manage to change our plans at all.

Perhaps the piece de resistance was the sitings on the way back from the last dive of approximately 20 seals enjoying the sun and another large basking shark. I hope that this justifies Brian's decision to dive over his wife's birthday this year!

Finally, many, many thanks are due to Neill for his continued hard work in organising our weekends, Suzi for sorting the cottage out, Alan/Suzi for doing the honours with scoff and Chris for the supply of eggs.

Safe Diving

Dom

And you think you're so clever and class less and free

2008-06-04T13:25:00.001Z

An average weekend had by all.

Don't need a shrink but an exorcist

2008-06-03T21:39:00.003Z

Weather for Dartmouth

Into the sea, you and me. All these years and no one heard

2008-06-03T21:14:00.003Z

I fancy doing watcombe caves......

As you walk on by, will you call my name?

2008-06-03T10:27:00.001Z

This is a dive briefing for Dom. See all of the above.

There's a touch upon my lips

2008-06-03T10:24:00.001Z

Found this webiste today whilst surfing. Have a go at the quizes and some of the downloads might by useful.

http://www.ukdivers.net/index.htm

My Therapist said not to see you no more...

2008-06-02T14:25:00.004Z

The Plan is to dive the Maine on the Saturday. Also the Bretagne on the Sunday.

the above map is from Dive England's greatest wrecks by Rod Macdonald

I thoroughly recommend it.

Dartmouth 7th & 8th June

2008-05-27T07:01:00.002Z

http://www.dartboat.com/diving.htm

We are diving in Dartmouth. I will confirm all the details in the next 24hrs. The only site I mentioned to the skipper was the Maine. I would be happy to do 2 dives on this beauty but will go with the boat vote ( as usual).

Tony the skipper normally limits divers to 10 but we are 12 so can I remind everyone of the need to keep your shit to a minimum.

We also need to minimise the number of cars. More discussion later.

Details to follow...

Elrico

Love taught me to fly.

2008-05-07T21:11:00.005Z

Did the Cannonball Alley on Tuesday, 14.2m for 42 mins (8c temp. youch) Air consumption to warm an irishmans heart. What a tidy little dive - very pleasant in the late spring sunshine.

Change my pitch up.

2008-05-07T21:00:00.003Z

Now call me perverse but I do enjoy the curmudgeonly and downright abusive. I have come to appreciate being well and truely insulted and chided. The realm of the dive skipper has great appeal in this regard because they are, like the ocean, moody and given to sudden foul temper. Dave is a relative saint, but can at times be less than 'Happy'. The above photos shows him having a laugh with me. This years favourite is from the pearl of grumpiness at Aquanauts who when advising myself and Mr. McManus it was nearly time to dive hissed - " Get yout shit on and get the fuck off my boat". I would gladly pay for such eloquence and it sent me beneath the waves with a warm glow.

A Glimpse of the future

2008-05-04T09:51:00.002Z

Alex with Torpoint u7 and the FA Community shield

Where Shall We Dive?

2008-05-04T08:37:00.003Z

Any suggestions boys and girls?

Eddystone or Hand Deeps - offshore viz is good.

Neill's Drop Off or Thornback Patch?

Oregon and Hillsea Point

Rame Barge?

any more?

Photo above shows Rob after diving the Fylrix - do it once.....

Ist Diving Weekend of 2008 - 10th & 11th May.

2008-05-01T12:27:00.004Z

The first weekend is nearly upon us and we are hoping for fine weather and great viz. The forecast is good (we are a long way out, yet) and the Viz has been very good. The water is 10C at present so it may be a soup and pasties weekend.

Can I encourage everyone to be very minimal about what is brought on to the boat as we are going to be a bit squeezed.

Essential info.

Amoco.

0830

Mt Batten Public Jetty.

cost estimate £60 or £67 minus deposit of £15. ( Dave has not increased his prices but I would hope we can chip in a bit if we go offshore)

1st Dive of the Season

2008-03-22T07:40:00.004Z

Well The eejit, Dive dad and Elrico set off for the first dive of the season in what could be described as marginal conditions. However the RIB we were on was fully airbourne several times and on one occasion going 'round the corner' we were flying for what seemed like a full 10 seconds before crashing down. Brian complained long and bitterly that the O2 cylinder had landed on his toe. Conditions on the JEL were foul and there were standing waves and a mess of white water. Being Low water Springs we would have felt it on the wreck and I called the dive requesting we return to the lee of Rame Head. No one argued. We had a very cold 30mins at 10m in 3m viz near the Penlee Cannon site. Hey it's a dive and a shake down. Had the most awful headache for the rest of the day - had to go to bed with some dubious pharmaceuticals. Roll on the summer.

Richey James Edwards 13 years - not 4gotten.

2008-02-09T21:27:00.000Z

01.02.95

Shore Dives

2008-02-04T21:38:00.000Z

There is an interesting thread on South West Mafia - http://www.southwestmafia.com/forumswm/showthread.php?p=38423#post38423

My favourite shore dives...........

Talland Bay - Shore diveable wreck!

Eastern Kings - dark and scary.

Portwrinkle - Lobsters

Bovi Beach.

Cirkewwa - Malta

Old Harbour -Puerto del Carmen - Lanzarote. ( saw a topless woman - bonus on a dive eh!)

Dom's Marathon

2008-02-04T21:29:00.000Z

Well he's come back from the Imperialist war and now having spent no money in the desert he's after ours!! Cheek. Anyway it's for a good cause and the pain is instructive for him. Please give money to Dom's charity Combat Stress who support service people with mental health needs.

2008-02-03T10:09:00.000Z

This is copied from Dom's comments but is just worthy of a post.

Dom said...
Top 5 diving goals of 2008 - an interesting question. Working on the assumption that I try to achieve things, how about:

1. After the awesome experience that was the Red Sea 2007, agree when our next big holiday is going to be.

2. Avoid getting irritated by the usual suspects ...... (John, people with all the gear, etc)

3. Persuade Suzi that Truk/Bikini is what we need to do .......

4. Dive The Maine again!

5. Try not to lose my new computer (after I've figured out how it works again!)

Neill says - I don't recall John having any diving difficulties last year at all - he had his shit well together. You're just cranky from the war and the rugby.

Dom goes plop - no fuss

2008-02-03T09:53:00.000Z

Dom's Top 5 dives of 2007

2008-02-03T09:41:00.000Z

There is no doubt that 2007 was an absolutely mint year for my diving. Not only were there some fantastic sites, both in the Red Sea and the UK, but the experience was multiplied by the great group that we’ve got. For me, it is really special being able to go diving with my family and friends and share the experiences with them. It’s difficult to narrow it down to 5 but I’ll go for:

1. Wreck of the M2. This is a legendary dive that I always enjoy although I don’t think that Suzi enjoyed this quite as much as me! We caught it early in the season so it was cold but also very, very murky. Vis was limited to a metre or two and it was very difficult to get much of a feel for the size or shape of the wreck. Anyway I enjoyed it!

2. Wreck of the Scylla. It’s my top 5 so you can all poke off! I enjoy it and this year it was great to see the significant change in marine life as the sea starts to claim it for its own. As well as the shrimp that festoon the inner passageways, Suzi also saw a large Conger and we both saw a cuttlefish lurking under the prop shaft. This is a wreck that will just get better and better .....

3. Wreck of Rosalie Muller. In my opinion, equally as good as the Thistlegorm with the added bonus of being considerably less popular! Although lacking the prettiness of its much better known neighbour, it makes up for it with far more atmosphere and being far more intact. As ever, my biggest disappointment was the limited time that we had to fully explore although Suzi did manage to clock up 45m on this one....

4. Jackfish Alley. Although we started this as a group, Suzi and myself stayed in the cave a bit longer than everyone else and ended up in the drift by ourselves. The current was something I’d not really experienced before in the Red Sea and it made for a great dive especially as there was plenty of life moving round for us to see. You know that this dive must have been good as it has pushed some of my favourite wrecks out of the top five!!

5. Sara H/ Kingston/ Shag Rock. I’ve done this a few times before but it has never been as good as this year. The vis was awesome, coral stunning, the current just about right and we ended up by ourselves just drifting along in a beautiful warm sea for over 70 mins! On the way we encountered 4 turtles and a whole host of other marine life ......

Dom

Neill -Thank you very much Dom. I note this is posted just as you return from service in the desert. Surely you can't be serious about the Scylla!

My Top diving goals for 2008

2008-01-27T21:23:00.000Z

What do I want to achieve in diving terms for 2008? Well it must be said that this year is one of consolidation and one in which I am unlikely to do any more training or buy too much kit. I would like to dive three new wrecks Bretagne, Oregon and Louis Sheid. I would like to get to the Rutts as a reef dive. Old favourites to visit include the Maine and the reefs of Hand Deeps and Eddystone. I would like to cover more ground at the Mewstone drop off as well as explore the other drop off. I would like to investigate some alternative shore sites with Rob and Brian. Let me know what you are hoping for this year.

Neill

The Mighty Amoco is confirmed for May and September

2008-01-23T20:44:00.000Z

In Dave we trust........

Summers Coming

2008-01-23T11:31:00.000Z

I have made a provisional booking for 5th & 6th July 2008 with Teign Diving Centre for their Hardboat SeaQuest. I have suggested the itinery is likely to include the Bretagne.

http://www.ssbretagne.co.uk/

http://www.ukdiving.co.uk/wrecks/wreck.php?id=70

http://www.teigndivingcentre.co.uk/

Quite exciting...........

Regular Trick

2008-01-21T21:25:00.000Z

Seems like I know you from somewhere. Been here before?

First Dive of 2008

2008-01-21T21:02:00.000Z

Shit viz, 28c temp. Dry suit but no gloves. Guess where I am.

Scuba Surfing

2008-01-16T14:09:00.000Z

I thought I would bring you the benefit of my procrastination. Some Jolly fine diving websites that are seldom visited gems.

First the Deepblue diving website. DBD in Plymouth have moved away from Rec diving to focus on more adventurous stuff. They have and excellent links page which can take you on many a long wander.

http://www.deepbluetech.co.uk/links.htm

A strange scuba do it yourself site which has a few little gems.

http://insel.heim.at/malediven/350052/proj_e_e.htm

A very good value alternative to the 4th Element undersuits. You know how good I'm gonna look in these beauties.

http://www.xcelcius.com/int/acatalog/xmt01.php

A cool on-line logbook site.

http://www.diverecord.com/Welcome.asp

and a very usefull site for looking at kit in depth............
http://www.bitz.fsnet.co.uk/index.htm

I am so good to you.

Eejit's Top Five Dives of 2007

2008-01-12T07:48:00.000Z

Drop-off although I did not dive with you and dive dad and was in a semidry lovely dive all the same (Neill - I thought I did this once with the Daddy Lobster and once with the Eejit Monkey?)

The night dive on the Giannis D fantastic wreck had a bit of trouble getting back to the mother ship.

The Kingston the drift over the reef was the closest to flight i think i will ever be,

The Mammeries at Eddystone - new depth record for me at 40.2 this is the best dive so far dive buddies Neill and Rob (dive dad,Robster the lobster) call him what you will - big shark, jewel anenome, big viz. PS where were you shallow? Hal Ha Ha He He,

Hands deep

Eddystone photo on my blog http://eejit71.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html buddy rab loads of sea life 1st time i dived in the eddystone area.

Love The Eejit

Neill's comment - sneaking in a bonus Paddy? Thank you Mate.

Josephine's Favourite Dives of 2007

2008-01-06T20:41:00.000Z

The Thoroughly lovely Fiend gives us her 5.....

Best dives of the year..

1) Eddystone on the last dive weekend of the year - great visibility, fantastic jewel anenome and big fish.

2) Dive on the Thistlegorm going out to see the trains followed by the Robinson family attack on the forward gun - great dive and lovely opportunity to do it as a family.

3) Chrisoula K (aka tile wreck) - loved the site and amazing opportunity (if a little scary) to go through the engine room with Adam even if we were a little unprepared!

4) Rosehill - loved the wreck even if the water was as green as pea soup. Great life on the wreck and great gun (we're suckers for big guns!)

5) Kingston - good wreck with great life, but drift dive afterwards was the best ever. Like being on a conveyor belt and watching the reef fly by - luckily the current slowed by the time the turtle made an appearance!

Neill's Comment - Thanks to Josephine for contributing. Top Hardcore Wrecker UK diver - picks ace UK dives ahead of shandy soft Red Sea prettyness.

1st Draft Diving 2008

2008-01-01T15:51:00.000Z

10th/11th May 2008 - Plymouth (Neaps /HW 1018)

Goals - Offshore reefs/Maine/ Local favourites

7th /8th June - Plymouth ( Coming off springs HW 0923)

As Above.

5th/ 6th July - Salcombe/Teignmouth ( Small Springs HW 0823)

Goals - Maine / Bretagne / Orestone

6th / 7th September - Plymouth ( coming to neap HW 1003)

Stone, Deeps or Hatt Rock, Drop Off, Thornbacks.

Please get in touch gang to tell me if these are a working set to approach skippers.

Neill's Top 5 dives of 2007 (UK).

2007-12-27T21:50:00.000Z

Eddystone Reef (E). 9th June
This 37.8m – 35mins dive saw me buddied with Rob. Whilst this dive was excellent it was preceded by the second best wildlife encounter of my 177 dive career. Basking Shark. Great viz and a new depth record for me at the time.

Eddystone Mammaries 22nd September.
39.4m for 30 mins runtime. Buddied with Rob and Brian this was a great dive to blow away the soft diving of July. Saw a massive 1.2m Nurse Hound {Sharky} and my heart was banging away. Beautiful Jewel Anenomies.

Drop Off 10th April.
20.9m for 39mins. This is a new site and a spectacular one – Rob and I were blown away by the viz, the wall and the sea life. One for Amoco regulars only. I have discovered that this may be part of a system of drop-offs independently dived by several groups out of Plymouth.

Thornback Patch 6th August.
Have dived this twice once with Brian and once with Rob (@ 22m – 45mins). In those dives we counted 28 Thornbacks and 15 Dogfish. This is another Amoco mark.

Hand Deeps 20th May.
When thinking about this it was easy to forget that this was a five year ambition realised. Having not been back to HD since 2002 on my first weekend charter. Great viz, great buddies and a Great year of UK diving.

Boxing Day

2007-12-26T08:02:00.000Z

It's Boxing Day morning and I have a day of playing games ahead of me. Have already played downfall twice before breakfast. However the reason for this post is to ask (remind) the plymouth posse to send me a list of their top five dives of 2007. Also I wanted to say we have passed the solstice and the days will become longer and the sun will return. The count down to the diving season starts here.

New dive ideas for the summer.

2007-12-18T09:46:00.000Z

Brief web search of some summer alternatives.

From Plymouth.

Alternative Rutts http://www.totnes-bsac.co.uk/sites/plans/alt_rutts.jpg

Oregon http://www.divernet.com/cgi-bin/articles.pl?id=1728&sc=&ac=d&an=

Hatt Rock http://www.looedivers.com/dive_hatt_rock.asp and http://www.divemagazine.co.uk/news/article/mps/UAN/1281/V/2/SP/332935698186344349212

Teignmouth. {Overnight or 1 hour from Plymouth}

http://www.teigndivingcentre.co.uk//component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/

Bretagne -http://www.ssbretagne.co.uk/

Others - http://www.wrecksandreefs.co.uk/ds_uk_devon.htm

Salcombe { Overnight or 47 mins to Plymouth)

Overview http://www.divernet.com/cgi-bin/articles.pl?id=3685&sc=&ac=d&an=

Maine http://www.chippenhamdivers.co.uk/wrecks/maine.htm

Dartmouth {Plymouth 54 mins}

http://www.dartboat.com/diving.htm

Videos on You Tube

2007-12-13T13:54:00.000Z

Some of the diving vids will get posted at my You Tube site....

http://www.youtube.com/elricoii

Look at me being a media whore.

N

Incident Report

2007-12-12T20:51:00.000Z

Please follow the enclosed link to the annual BSAC incident report. It makes useful, if sombre, reading.

http://www.bsac.org/page/1062/incident-report-2007.htm

Safe diving.

Red Sea 2007 Itinery.

2007-12-12T14:28:00.000Z

Hope this is accurate. Please let me know if you disagree.

I'm telling you it was this big.

2007-12-12T13:38:00.000Z

Paddy fibs about the size of his Sea snake.

2007-12-12T13:28:00.000Z

The evening sun glistens off my arse with shipwreck in the distance. Days don't get better than this.

Hanging with the Boys.

2007-12-12T13:17:00.000Z

Lobster

2007-12-12T10:51:00.000Z

Red Sea Memories

2007-12-05T21:11:00.000Z

Wakey Wakey

2007-12-05T13:10:00.001Z

Better post this to keep the blog alive...................

Started up on a 6, when he pulled from the clouds, and then I moved in above him.

2007-07-06T14:04:00.000Z

OK, this is show time. The clock is running.

Egyptian poetry.

2007-07-01T14:42:00.000Z

So seize the day! hold holiday!
Be unwearied, unceasing, alive
you and your own true love;
Let not the heart be troubled during your
sojourn on Earth,
but seize the day as it passes!

Are we there yet Dad?

2007-07-01T09:00:00.000Z

Well this time next week we will have done two dives. It will be hotter than a snakes ass. I can't wait.

However some ideas for our next big trip?

http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/reports/galapagos21.htm

http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/where/chuuk.htm

http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/where/bikini.htm

Short break anyone.

http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/where/malta.htm

see you saturday at check in.

Don't harrass the wildlife.

2007-06-25T12:18:00.001Z

Leave that turtle be. Most of my Red Sea photos have this bloke in. That's what happens when you have a UW camera. (even a £30 disposable one like the one above). Please can I suggest that all the camera'd up on this trip take lots of pictures OF ME, ME, ME.

Yellow Fins and Air guitar

2007-06-25T12:10:00.000Z

Sharm el Sheikh.

Sunrise - 0550

Sunset - 1945

Average temp - 38c

Water temp - 28c

Time +2 hrs BST. (ie. Uk = 1200, SeS= 1400)

Antici.......................pation.

2007-06-25T11:56:00.000Z

12 days - If I hadn't seen such riches I could live with being poor.

2007-06-21T19:53:00.000Z

I am a part of all that I have met;
Yet all experience is an arch wherethrough
Gleams that untravelled world whose margin fades
Forever and forever when I move.
How dull it is to pause, to make an end,
To rust unburnished, not to shine in use!
As though to breathe were life! Life piled on life
Were all too little, and of one to me
Little remains; but every hour is saved
From that eternal silence, something more,
A bringer of new things; and vile it were
For some three suns to store and hoard mysell,
And this gray spirit yearning in desire
To follow knowledge like a sinking star,
Beyond the utmost bound of human thought.

2007-06-16T06:49:00.000Z

Straits of Gubal - Abu Nahas.

http://www.emperordivers.com/divesites_gubal.php

Giannis D podcast/videocast. (quality)

http://www.podcastdirectory.com/podshows/1175567

Giannis D Guide.

http://touregypt.net/vdc/Giannisd.htm

Chrisoula K Guide.

http://touregypt.net/vdc/Thechris.htm

Some Red Sea Links

2007-06-15T19:51:00.000Z

Sharm - in-depth.

http://www.divemagazine.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=2955&v=5&sp=

Liveaboards

http://www.divemagazine.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=2872&v=5&sp=

Red Sea Wrecks

http://www.divemagazine.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=18&v=5&sp=

Rosalie Moller

http://www.divernet.com/cgi-bin/articles.pl?id=5977&sc=1023&ac=d

It's a beautiful day.......

2007-06-09T20:51:00.000Z

for basking in the sunshine........................... oh and diving the 'stone in 10m viz. Who would believe we had a spare space.

Less Than A Month to Go...........

2007-06-08T11:05:00.000Z

This lovely shot of the Rosalie Moller was borrowed from http://www.flickr.com/photos/veelen/

Underwater map of Hand Deeps

2007-06-08T07:49:00.000Z

Cool Eh?

Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th June

2007-06-08T07:29:00.000Z

Hello everyone,

Here is the buddy pairing and boat organisation for the weekend. It fell out fairly logically. If anyone does not agree please don't fret and let me know.

I have several ideas for sites but will leave it to each boat to make up there mind.

Saturday.

Oregon (32)/ East Rutts

Eddystone/Scylla

Eddystone/Hand Deeps (slack 3pm)

Scylla/ Hand Deeps

Persier(30)/ Hillsea Point

Rosehill (32)/ Hand deeps

Sunday

Maine (lw slack 1015)/ Hillsea/East Rutts

etc, etc.

Dont forget. 2 tanks, lunch, money on Saturday. Ropes off 0900 meet 0830 Mt. Batten public Jetty.

You live where?

2007-06-08T07:20:00.000Z

Fancy an evening dive ( on a hardboat)? I go out on a Tuesday evening after work. Ropes off at 1730 back to the pub for 2100 ( we usually have coffee and doughnuts on the boat. Ask yourselves why not come to live in sunny Plymouth. By the first week in June we have achieved 10 glorious evening dives since easter. In April we experienced 10m visability we have since had a big plankton bloom and the viz is now improving again.

2007-06-07T20:41:00.000Z

Fun time was had by all - details later.

Boat details

2007-05-04T15:08:00.000Z

19& 20 May Furious. - No spaces.

Assumed buddy pairs.
Neill & Rob C
Dom & Suzi
Josephine & Alan P
Rab & Brian
Alan S & John R
Peter Hale & Stu

Balance to pay £34.

Mt. Batten public jetty. unless otherwise advised.
Don't forget 2 tanks and lunch.

ropes off approx 9AM - TBC

June Diving 9/10th

2007-05-04T15:06:00.000Z

We have 16 divers confirmed and deposited. We really need to fill the last two spaces. Contact me.

Neill

Final Payments.

2007-05-04T15:03:00.000Z

The holiday is all paid for.

You need to think about kit hire, courses and insurance. We need to sort this at least 2 weeks prior to departure.

Flight Times Change

2007-03-30T09:55:00.000Z

Outbound BA 6858 ~~~~ 07.07.07

Depart London Gatwick at 1300

Arrive Sharm el Sheikh 2020

Inbound BA 6859 ~~~~ 14.07.07

Depart Sharm el Sheikh 2120

Arrive London Gatwick 0050 (15.07.07)

ETA Torpoint 6am............................ sheeesh.

Red Sea Links.

2007-03-24T19:57:00.000Z

Some links about packing and 'in-country' tips.

http://www.divernet.com/cgi-bin/articles.pl?id=5562&section=3&action=display&show=

http://www.travel-dive.com/sharm-el-sheikh

http://www.travel-dive.com/planning-a-scuba-diving-trip-abroad

Red Sea Packing. 3

2007-03-24T19:54:00.000Z

Foo Foo

Toothpaste & Toothbrush
Shower gel/ Shampoo / conditioner
Make-up and general foo-foo
Talcum powder
Brush/comb
Deodorant + Smellies
Tissues

Threads

Clothes (T-shirts and Shorts)
Bathing suits
Footwear - Something to wear on last day
Cap/hat
Sun glasses
Prescription glasses/contacts
Small back pack or travel bag
Beach towel

Documents and Distraction

Fish encyclopedia
Red Sea dive guide
Valid diving certification card
Logbook + pen.
Medical certificate if req.
Passport
Money - Egytpian small amounts needed. Tips and beer.

Tickets

Camera + Housing + Charger
MP3 player
Alarm clock
Books / magazines
Batteries
Memory cards for Camera

Red Sea Packing. 2

2007-03-24T19:53:00.000Z

First Aid Kit.

Motion sickness tablets/ Avomine
Rehydration salts/ dioralyte
Imodium/ anti-diarrhoea tabs.
Ear drops
Eye drops
Aspirin/ Paracetamol/ Brufen
Savlon antiseptic cream/spray
Sore arse cream – Germaloids Ointment
Bite-spray
Flu-remedy
Decongestant - caution
Alcohol hand gel
Rennies, zantac antacids.
Vitamins supps.
Insect repellent
Band aids
Scissors
Earplugs
Cotton wool
Sunblock / suntan lotion
After sun/ moisturizer.
Lip balm

Red Sea Packing. 1

2007-03-24T19:47:00.000Z

You may want to consider the following list when packing.......

Dive bag
BCD/Wing
Regulator (recently serviced and then dived)
Mask
Wet suit (consider rash vest, under vest and hood)
Boots (consider spare)
Fins
Spare mask (and spare spare)
Dive knife or shears
Torch + Charger
Back up torch
Whistle, CD/mirror, EPIRB, Air horn, Dye.
Diving Computer (?battery)
Compass
DSMB + Reel.
Spares kit. To include:
Fin straps
Mask strap
O rings
Mouthpiece for regs
Silicone grease
KY-Jelly (never without it)
Cable ties assorted

2007-03-19T21:28:00.000Z

Date: 09 & 10 June 2007

Venue: Plymouth

Boats: Venture & Amoco.

Itinery: 30m. Wrecks & Scenic. Boat Vote.

Spaces: 7 spaces.

Due to needing more than one boat this year we have several spaces. We will be doing a mix of dives. I hope that we can get to the Eddystone or Hand Deeps as this is smack on neaps. We usually go out for a modest drink and bite on the Saturday evening.

Please PM me if you are interested.Neill

The way I am now organising trips way in advance like this is to ask for £30 deposit from people and then the balance 1 month in advance. Once I receive the deposit you're booked onto the trip - if you can't make it then it's your responsibility to find a replacement (although of course I'll help) and if a replacement isn't found then you're liable for the cost of your space. Hope that's fair.

2007-03-19T20:44:00.000Z

Date: 22 & 23 September 2007

Venue: Plymouth

Boats: Amoco & Pamela Ann.

Itinery: 30m. Wrecks & Scenic. Boat Vote.

Spaces: 6 spaces.

Due to needing more than one boat this year we have several spaces. We will be doing a mix of dives. We usually go out for a modest drink and bite on the Saturday evening.Please PM me if you are interested.The way I am now organising trips way in advance like this is to ask for £30 deposit from people and then the balance 1 month in advance. Once I receive the deposit you're booked onto the trip - if you can't make it then it's your responsibility to find a replacement (although of course I'll help) and if a replacement isn't found then you're liable for the cost of your space. Hope that's fair.

2007-03-19T17:35:00.001Z

Hi guys

Today is 111 days until we go. Don't forget you need passports with at least 6 months left to run. Baggage allowance is 23kgs and 23kgs of sports equipment (must be 2 bags neither of which exceeds this) and hand luggage.

I need the balance on the 1st of may.

You will not need shoes. You will need full scuba equipment except weights and tanks. I recommend a 3mm full suit for the average to well covered. A 3mm under vest or such if you feel the cold. I personally recommend layering rather than a 5mm as this may be too warm on the earlier dives. I took 3mm and 5mm last time (May) and didn't need the 5mm.

You will need a dive computer. If you are not Advanced Open Water or Sport Diver you will not be able to dive the big wrecks. AOW is £180 and could be done in 2 days.

Kit hire - you need to consider what you need. You can also rent 15 litre tanks, ponies and twin sets - let me know.

I have websearched the boat and posted the results on my flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72015637@N00/sets/72157600006224172/

I will be providing additional stuff on my blog as we go from 111 to 1.

Best Wishes

Neill

PS. Any ideas/plans for getting to and from Airport?

PPS. Passed my dive medical and am released from future routine medicals! No restrictions in the Red Sea. YaaaaaarHeeee.

2007-03-19T17:32:00.000Z

Hello folks.

Money.

Thanks to Brian, Dom and Suzi for initial deposits.

I need £30 deposit per person per weekend. So if you are coming on 1 weekend = £30 2=£60, 3 weekends = £90. I had hope to ease the pain of this but skippers are hot on deposits this year. MONEY ASAP please.

Spaces.

19& 20 May Furious. - No spaces.

Neill
Dom
Suzi
Josephine
Alan P
Rab
Alan S
Rob C
Brian
Peter Hale
Stu
John R

09 & 10 June 2007 Venture & Amoco. 7 -9 spaces

Neill
Dom
Suzi
Josephine
Alan P
Rab
Alan S
Rob C
Peter Hale
Stu
John R

22 & 23 September 2007 Amoco & Pamela Ann. 6 Spaces

Neill
Dom
Suzi
Josephine
Alan P
Rab
Alan S
Rob C
Brian
Peter H
John R
Lou W

Can I impress on you guys that we really really need to fill the June and September places. Can you work really hard on diving friends and buddies. Much obliged. I will put them on Southwestmafia.com this week.

So money and fill spaces.

Thanks

Neill

Diving Medical.

2007-03-15T09:36:00.000Z

It is with considerable relief that I have got a 12 month unrestricted diving medical. My weight was 31 BMI and 30 is the ceiling but my fitness was ok (ecg + fitness test + standard obs + neuro exam). So no Eanx on air tables. Quality advice from doc - don't rip the arse out of it! Cool.

Space Filled

2007-03-15T09:35:00.000Z

Bill Nevin is joining us in the Red Sea. We no longer have a spare space.

Spare place on Red Sea Liveaboard. 07/07/07

2007-02-04T09:53:00.000Z

Please all note.

We have a space on the Red Sea trip. Ask all your friends about it and contact me via the usual routes.

May 19th & 20th. Plymouth - Furious

2007-02-04T08:02:00.000Z

Hello All,

I have a provisional booking for the above weekend. Dave has helped me by contacting the skipper Pete in Spain!

http://www.deepsea.co.uk/boats/furious/index.htm

May Posse:

Neill
Dom & Suzi
Josephine & Alan P
Rab
Alan S
Rob C
Brian
Peter Hale & Stu
John R

12 divers the list is closed.

The way I am now organising trips way in advance like this is to ask for £30 deposit from people and then the balance 1 month in advance. Once I receive the deposit you're booked onto the trip - if you can't make it then it's your responsibility to find a replacement (although of course I'll help) and if a replacement isn't found then you're liable for the cost of your space. Hope that's fair.

I will post details of the June trip shortly. Deposits are due end of Feb. My provisional cost for boat is £760 divided by 12. (about £65)

Al salaam a'alaykum

2007-01-14T21:10:00.000Z

Don't you lazy english think you should learn some arabic for our trip? Well here a start boys and girls.

http://lexicorient.com/babel/arabic/003.htm

Soon we'll all get the gist. Al-hamdu lillah

ma'a salama

Neill

Venture Adventure

2007-01-13T10:51:00.000Z

Pete has agreed to the 9 -10 June. So we have 2 boats booked in June so we'd better fill them. Waiting to hear on a boat (or 2?) for may and a second for September.

Amoco a GO-GO

2007-01-09T18:29:00.000Z

Spoke to Dave last night and we have booked Amoco for the June and September weekend. Dave is speaking to another skipper for us to arrange a second boat for those weekends. We, potentially, have spaces.

Cool

Red Sea - May 2002 - VIP One.

2007-01-06T22:28:00.000Z

Here is a summary of my last trip to the Red Sea. The check out dive was my 18th dive.

Neill as Skipper

2007-01-06T20:13:00.000Z

This comes from arecent post on SWM. Deep Blue are selling Endeavour (read thread - via Link)

http://www.southwestmafia.com/forumswm/showthread.php?t=2677

Which is all very interesting. However mooch through this list and you will see Redeemer is also for sale at the bottom! Now I really wouldn't care less if I didn't do another day in my current job, so - does anyone have a hundred grand I could have. I would be your own personal skipper and your diving needs would be thoroughly catered for. So give it a thought divers - make me your skipper - send money.

Plymouth Diving 2007

2007-01-06T07:28:00.000Z

This years diving.

All out of Plymouth.

19th & 20th May - 13 Names
9th & 10th June - 12 Names
22nd & 23rd September - 12 Names

I will need to arrange 2 boats.

Slightly stricter booking and deposit rules. I am going to ask for adeposit this year and if you have to drop out it will be your responsibility. So the following will be circulated for each weekend.

£?? per diver per day deposit - once I receive the deposit you're booked onto the trip. If you can't make it then it's your responsibility to find a replacement (although of course I'll help) and if a replacement isn't found then you're liable for the cost of your space.

Additional stuff from recent email.

Any way the dates for next year. I have hung back to get a local tide table as this can reveal the details of the tides. Popped into newsagents last night whilst waiting for my Chicken Bhuna.

We all agree so far on the 22nd & 23rd September. So thats firmed up - need to here from Rob & Brian, John & Lou and any others. The other dates - 9th & 10th June looks very good for tides and fits with everyone.

19th & 20th May coming off small springs but with a morning High tide slack for the wrecks.

Not all these dates are convenient for everyone, they are a good stab at fitting in with everyone and tides.

so Firm dates.

19th & 20th May
9th & 10th June
22nd & 23rd September

Please email me that these dates are generally ok (Thanks Rab & Alan). I will then open a list for each weekend and we will book boats. I would like to book boats asap and will then be looking for deposits at the end of January. I will most likely try and book Venture(10-12spaces) x 1 and Amoco(8-10 spaces) x 2.

Once we have confirmed boats and taken deposits I will open up the remainder spaces to our wider group.

Planned dives.

I am still waiting to do Hand Deeps ! Also the Maine is a priority.
Last years favourite dives for me were Hillsea Point, Abelard and Dave's hard core Mewstone Ledges mark that I did with Rob and Brian.

No doubt we will do the James Eagan Layne and Scylla but I never had a decent dive on them last year due to the viz. Interesting to see what the storms have done this winter.

Have a jolly hols. Ask santa for some new speedo's for July.

Here is a link to more pictures - I'll expect you to know your way round them by the time we get there..........

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/worldphotos/wrecks_reefs.htm

South West Mafia is a local forum

http://www.southwestmafia.com/forumswm/portal.php

Yorkshire Divers more varied but more useful.

http://www.yorkshire-divers.com/

Have fun.

Neill

Where do we go from here?

2007-01-05T22:00:00.000Z

The Bends.

I may have had the bends. I had a completely uneventful dive on Tuesday night (09/05/06) . 33mins (surface to surface) at 22.8metres on Nitrox 32. Good profile, no rapid accents, I deployed SMB and never overtook the line. Did as 3mins at 5.5metres safety stop. Dark and cold but no dramas. No recent alcohol.

No symptoms on surfacing. Joanne says, I mentioned I had a sore hip when I got in about 9pm. I woke in the night 1230 in considerable discomfort in my right hip which was a tooth-achy pain that went all down my leg to my second toe which was a bit pins and needles. I went (hobbled) downstairs and took 800mgs of ibuprofen. Went back to sleep to 0600 and awoke in discomfort again. Had a conversation with Jo and aid I wondered if it could be a bend. I readily agreed to get some advice from DDRC when they opened. Took more brufen. Got ready for work and drove in, before I went into work I called DDRC and spoke to Dr Christine Cridge. She advised me to come in for evaluation. Cancelled my appointments, drove to DDRC. I was limping at this time. On balance I didn’t think it was a bend.

Was examined including (neuro exam) and we decided to put me in the pot. Did about 4 ½ hours on 100% O2 at 18m (60ft – US Navy tables). Was accompanied by Megan who looked after me (tolerated me) for all this time. The pain did certainly ease at pressure and my limp resolved. I was of course resting on a trolley. It did feel a little worse when we surfaced. Dr Christine felt it was on balance more likely to be DCI (a bend) than not. She felt that there was weakness in my right leg that had resolved on HBO/ recompression treatment.

I have always had crappy joints and regularly experience pain (but not usually to this extent) after football for example. Dr Christine felt that weakened and damaged tissue does attract bubbles. Took more brufen, slept well and felt slightly better on Thursday morning.

Went back to DDRC and they stuck me in the pot again 2 hours at 14m on 100% O2 – this time with the medical HBO patients some of whom were a bit snotty about going all the way to 14m because of the diver (cheeky twats). Neuro exams unchanged no difference to the now mild discomfort. Dr Simon not sure if bend or not. I didn’t think it was a bend. Went home took more ibuprofen. ( a lovely days annual leave!)

Went back this morning for evaluation. Had a conversation with Dr Simon we agreed further recompression unlikely to move us forward as symptoms largely resolved. On balance I didn’t think it was a bend, but I’m very aware of the denial factor with divers.

However I had done some internet research and had resolved my self to 4 weeks off diving based on what I had read. It would be absolutely the only option to follow the advice of the medics, whether it was a bend or not. I am resolved to treat it as if it was a very undeserved hit. The advice and explanation given by Dr Christine of tissue vulnerability is the most lucid.

I was devastated when I was advised to stop diving for a few months….. I have a follow up appointment with the medical director Phil Bryson on 30th May to review me. Until then I am dry.

I am well and healthy and hugely grateful to the prompt and superb treatment at DDRC. We are so fortunate to have this facility locally (don’t fancy going to Cardiff or London or wherever). They couldn’t have been better and I’m am trying not to be a brat about it but I’m gutted.

This rules me out of the first weekend, very probably the second and hopefully not for the August trip. The big worry is there a reason a had such an undeserved hit? 110 dive no probs – why me why now. Risk factors I am overweight, but I am reasonably fit, have done quality work up dive this year I am super cautious. Disafuckingpointed.

August 2006.

Had my medical which went well. Have a 6 month fitness to dive certificate. However have to dive Nitrox on air tables and lose 6kgs in 6 months.

January 2007.

My weight has yoyo’d over the last 5 months. I have been down to 83 from 85kg. The scales were read wrong at my medical and I was 88kgs but was recorded at 85kg. Currently I’m 86kgs so I’m gonna beast myself for 6 weeks.

2007-01-05T21:41:00.000Z

Typhoon warts and all - I found this review online - thanks Atticusuk.

Blowing in the wind
A review by atticusuk on Typhoon (Red Sea Liveaboard)May 3rd, 2006
Author's product rating:
Customer Service on Board - Outstanding
Activities on Board - Good fun
Value for Money - Good

Advantages:
Great crew and good facilities
Disadvantages:
Engine noise in the morning .

Recommend to potential buyers:
yes

Full review
Typhoon was my home for a seven day diving holiday visiting the wrecks and reefs of the Red Sea. This itinerary saw us crossing the Straits of Tiran and the Straits of Gubal so it was a good test of the boats comfort and stability in rough seas however it is as a dive platform and a place to relax and unwind between a dive that is most important. For those of you not used to a diving liveaboard then it is important to remember that this is a boat geared up for a particular holiday. Some of the facilities like ensuite have not always been a feature of dive boats in the past indeed some of the boats I have used in the UK boast an outdoor toilet for men and the need for excellent balance.

Technical DetailsI had booked the trip through Tony Backhurst Travel and Typhoon is part of the Tornado Marine Group who has an excellent reputation in the Red Sea so I was really looking forward to my trip. For the dates and itinerary that I wanted I had the choice of two boats and had chosen the more expensive option for the extra comfort level and the fact that the boat was a newer build.The dimensions of the boat are 33m in length with an 8m beam. Fully air conditioned throughout, two 700 Hp Cummings engines provide the power. There are two K14 compressors to fill he dive tanks and the boat can provide Nitrox and is also able to facilitate re-breather divers.For the diving there are 2 tenders which comfortably carry up to eight divers at a time and have 40 bhp engines, there are also two life rafts with capacity for 50 people however we had no need to put these to the test fortunately.

The Cabins
There are ten cabins in all meaning that there I capacity for 20 guests on any one trip and for my trip it was fully booked. If you are assessing a boat for a diving holiday then seeing it fully booked is ideal as you are better able to assess the facilities when it is being fully utilised.All of the cabins have ensuite facilities that consist of a shower, wash basin and toilet. I was impressed with the size of our cabin, both single beds had plenty of room (often bunk beds are the norm but not on Typhoon) and there was plenty of storage space for the limited amount of clothing that you need. Storage for one person was under their bed whilst under my bed was the AC unit. There was a hanging closet with additional shelf space and also a small safe which neither of us could work out how to operate.The shower worked well as did the toilet however only if you remembered to use the small bin for any waste paper as the plumbing could not cope with toilet paper in the system, this is quite common for some land based holidays I have been on in Southern Europe so was not a big deal on a boat.The AC unit worked really well however the fact that the cold air blew out from beneath my bed directly at your feet meant that I was in danger of catching frostbite while I was unpacking and to be honest the AC spent more time off than on, needless to say in the height of summer it would be able to do the job.Now they always say location is everything and that certainly is the case with cabins on Typhoon. There are seven cabins below decks for guests plus one more for the dive guides. There are a further two on the main deck and the tenth is on the upper deck.There appeared to be a certain trade off of pros and cons between the cabins. The higher your cabin is then the more sway you will experience in rough sea. The lower it is the more stable and given the itinerary we had included two bumpy crossings then I was glad to be as low as possible.On our trip there was a slight problem with the water supple which had a habit of switching off, this problem seemed to affect the upper cabins and hot water was a rarity for them while our cabin enjoyed a constant supply of hot water. However this did come at a price as being below decks meant that we were quite near the engine room which meant we had an alarm call most mornings at 5.30 as the boat traveled from the overnight mooring to the first dive site of the day, given that the first dive is at 6.30 this is not too bad but it is a bit of a shock to the system. To be fair the water problems will be a one off but the stability and engine noise are not so if you have a preference put in a request when booking. Overall the cabins were clean although showing signs of wear and tear however they were made up every day and the towels changed frequently and they were very comfortable.

Other Facilities

The dive deck is one of the most important facilities on a dive boat as this is where your kit is set up and the cylinders stored.There were certainly more than 20 spaces available to kit up and each area had its own storage box for fins and torches and other bits of kit. It did get crowded with 20 divers on it however the fact that most of the diving was by tender meant that most times we would go in three waves of divers and therefore the kitting up was staggered. There were three steps down to the dive platform which was spacious and could comfortably hold ten divers at a time. Entry to the boat from the water was by two ladders which were stable and easy to use.Also on the dive platform there was a storage tank solely for camera equipment and a couple of wracks for fins. There were numerous charge sockets for torches and cameras as well as storage facilities for towels and t-shirts.The dining room was on the main deck and was very spacious with five circular tables seating six people which allowed for people to rotate where they sat to get to know everyone.On the upper deck was the lounge which had a stereo system and plasma screen for entertainment as well as the ability to plug in a PC for dive briefings. Most importantly there was a small bar to get drinks after a hard days dive. If I have one criticism of the lounge it was that it could have been a bit bigger as not all twenty guests could sit down together and also the seats were not the most comfortable. Outside on the same deck there were a number of tables sheltered partially by the sun deck above and these provided a nice place to sit either in the sun or shade to read and have a chat.The top deck was home for the sun worshippers or those who wanted to lounge around on the sun beds. Partially shaded as well this was a good place to sleep between dives. There was also a Jacuzzi on this deck but this was never used as it had to be filled with cold water and then allowed to heat up by the sun and the weather was not really hot enough to achieve this.
The Crew
In all there were about 12 Egyptian crew members and two English dive guides each with specific roles to play.The big bonus for me was the excellent crew on Typhoon. They are the friendliest happiest bunch that I have come across and very good t their work. They did make the difference on this trip as I have traveled with crews before where you can tell they are on edge, either due to a bossy captain or some other friction.Barry and Tori the two English dive guides were excellent at their job with good detailed briefings and always being available to help.The rest of the crew were always smiling and ready to play a joke on the guests, this usually involved bringing you the wrong breakfast or some other prank and it just helped to keep everyone relaxed.I was particularly impressed with the boat handlers who dropped us in over every dive site and were very alert if a diver popped to the surface unexpectedly.

The Food
This is an important factor of a week's liveaboard as there is no where else to go to eat if the food is bad. On this type of holiday you become like one of Pavlov's dogs, a bell is rung which either means it is time to dive or to eat. The bell rings a lot and you enjoy three large meals a day with additional snacks in the afternoon and a constant supply of Egyptian cakes and western biscuits.All of the meals are served buffet style with a range of choices and there was plenty of food for everyone. There is always a vegetarian option and often the chef would prepare something special for the two veggies on the boat in addition to the standard choice. The chef did like to use lots of chili and garlic particularly in the vegetable for some reason but the food was excellent and no one ever went hungry.There was a constant supply of free soft drinks as well as tea and coffee with the option to purchase beer or wine but no hard spirits however you are welcome to bring your own from duty free.
Costs
The weeks diving on Typhoon cost £865 which included flights, transfers, full board, marine park fees and a nights say in a hotel in Sharm on the last night. The only compulsory extra is the entry visa which was £10 I think.On the boat you need very little money however there are a few extras that can add up. Cans of beer were $4 which I thought was a little pricey and would probably take my own next time.If you want to use Nitrox then it is £5 a fill or there is an unlimited option of £60 for the week which usually works out cheaper.Barry and Tori produce both a DVD and a photo CD of the trip both of which are well produced the CD cost £15 and the DVD was £25 I think. You can also purchase a range of t-shirts and bath towels with the boats name on it.The only other cost is that it is customary to tip the staff if you wish and certainly after the excellent service I received I was only too happy to. In total I tipped $50 between the crew and dive guides and this is collected in one group envelope and handed over at the end of the trip.
Summary
Typhoon primarily caters for the Northern Red Sea, running three different itineraries however it does also travel to the Southern Red Sea to do the Brothers Island however there are more luxurious boats covering this route in my opinion.I would definitely book to use this boat in the future and would certainly use the company again. Despite the few niggles the benefits clearly out weighed them and the trip was very enjoyable despite the fact that I had a cold for most of the time which affected my diving a little.The quality of the crew was a key factor with all of the other facilities providing the base for a great weeks diving.

2007-01-05T21:22:00.000Z

August 2005 - Plymouth

A weekend of contrasts. An average Saturday with a stunning Sunday.
Rab Hunter's Report.
Well here goes for my first Trip Report for the World Infamous Neill’s Diving Page. What can I say? The morning of the gathering went like clockwork. All kit loaded and ready to go with time to spare.
The Buddy pairs Rob Chinnock & I teamed up for some “Quality” diving with Dave and the Amoco. Once the itinnery had been bashed out in the wheel house over a brew it was off to the Rosehill, a dive we’d done on a previous trip. Again the Skipper put us bang on the wreck and Rob & I brought up the rear of the Dive pairs.
The Shot was just off the Boilers so we headed towards the Gun Housing into a slight current stumbling over a HUGE moray eel curled up in the broken structure. After giving it the once over and a wide berth to pass it we carried on towards the gun housing, but never got that far. A quick air time appreciation led us to return to the shot. With the current behind us it took less than the time we anticipated so a grot around was had then off to the surface to discuss the size of the Moray!
Dive Two of the day saw us on the James Eagan Layne, one I’d not done before so Rob gave me a guide tour. What a quality wreck. Nicely broken up with plenty of swim throughs if you’re thin enough and gradually swimming shallow to the top of the wreck at 4m. Cheers Rob.
The Sunday brought us glorious weather and even better diving than the Saturday, all be it with an early rise. The early start gave us the travelling time to get to the Maine. Again Dave was bang on with the Shot and as before Rob and I dropped in last to find the huge hulk jam packed with some huge fish. Getting access into the wreck was no problem and the swim throughs available are huge. Exploring around the Bow to Mid-ships was our plan and what a plan. Once the inside was completed the outside was an experience to behold, all the way around til some twat with a twinset popped up out of the deep blue.
The last dive of the weekend was off Fairylands and one of Dave’s secret wrecks. A quality grot around, and off to the west for a look around the reef. A bit of liberating of those who didn’t want liberating (the dog fish was most appreciative) and with a mission to get as long as possible out of our 12’s brought us up on our longest dive of the weekend. A fantastic weekend. Thanks to all.
Rab H.

Flickr

2007-01-05T17:35:00.001Z

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Falmouth 2005

2007-01-05T17:07:00.000Z

This was a great weekends diving.
Below is my summary, Trip report and Highlights Gallery. Also included Is Epic Neil's report of the Saturday, selected links and individual galleries for the contributing photographers.

Neill
Dom
John
Suzi
Alan
Liz
Jo
Chris
Epic Neil

Trip Report. Didn't fancy the weather but it all turned out grand.
I have never been to Falmouth before, despite living in Cornwall since 1980 this is in fact shamefully the furthest west I have been! Doh! A situation which I will endeavour to rectify.
Easy trip down, no navigation problems, all arrived present and correct. From the moment we saw Redeemer we knew we were in for a good weekend as she is a good looker; broad across the stern giving ample kitting up space for all. I was very excited about diving the Manacles and the famous wrecks but was not blown away but enjoyed the dives very much. We seem to have become a camera packing group! The buddy groups fell naturally Dom pairing with Jo, Suzi with Chris, John with Alan. I was going to be buddying up with one of Epic's (Neil) group but they seemed to have clear plans and I preferred a meander so I tagged on to the Bristol pair. Visibility was good and the highlight for me was spotting an Anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) about 1m in length.
Mohegan
Volnay
Saturday concluded we proceeded to the pleasant but unenthusiastic B&B. We divided the rooms up and Alan made a uncharacteristic sprint for the double bed in the lads room. We proceeded out for a shandy and bite in the pleasant Falmouth quayside. We had a pretty fine waitress or two and the grub wasn't bad. For the record we went to the Warehouse Bistro.
The odd glass was taken in the pub. We slept like babies.
The day dawned and we had a pleasant breakfast, nice ingredients but could've eaten it twice, from unenthusiastic landlady, who missed her lie-in. Shaun and Becky were twiddling their thumbs whilst we minced down to the quay. Relief at not drinking too much or stuffing oneself at breakfast as it was a mite choppy. We sped east to dive 'the bizzies' - nice but not spectacular and the gutwrenchingly fantastic Hera. Bizzies is a nice reef/drift - if you want more info I can let y'all read my 100 Best Dives in Cornwall Book.
Dive of the weekend (dive of the year for me) was the Hera. Knockout dive relatively shallow at 15m - great visibility at 10m plus. Wreck largely broken up but because she lies on a sandy/shell bottom the light quality is entrancing. Many people lost their lives when she went down but they could not have a more beautiful final resting place ( not a huge consolation ) than the impressive Gull rock. Hera is a top UK dive.
Shaun slammed her back to the Carrick roads and we said farewell to Falmouth.
Best Dive - Hera
Best Diver - Jo - looked like a pro on her UK debut.
Best Photo - Alan's Shot of Me with SMB
Best Portfolio - Dom just taking it with Crustacean Shots.
Best Fish Spotter - Me taking Suzi's crown.
Special Award for Seasickness Conquered - Suzi.
Best Seagull Feeder - Chris - what an arm for pasty throwing.
Stealth Diver - John
Best Cock up - Me hot chocolate deck spreader.
Best Bed Blagger - Alan

Feedback from Dom: Latest update is looking good although for some reason you seem to concentrate much more on the B&B than the diving ... at least we know where your priorities lie!! Also sadly lacking in a mention for my lobster and conger not to mention the monster pasty eating contest followed by the scene from 'The Birds'.
What Conger? Show Me a Picture...... All contri's welcome.

Epic Neil's Trip report for the Saturday.
Yesterday I was out on a local boat, Redeemer, with a group which included Red Neill from this site, and MarkG. Another chap, Ben who is local and dives on Friday night trips came along too.We loaded up at Customs House Quay at about 10am. I was out on the Friday night and it was pretty choppy, so I was expecting the same today. I had no idea where we were off to, but Neill asked Shaun (Skipper) and he said that we could go to the Mohegan & Volnay if we wanted, and I think everyone was happy with this - I know that some of the group hadn't dived either site beforehand.Off we went and I was surprised that the conditions had died down a little. There were some RIB's already there when we got to the Mohegan, but nothing too major.I dived with MarkG and Ben. We were last in. 1st thing I noticed was that the vis was pretty good, about 10m. I went straight down the shotline, head first, going straight through the bubbles from the other group. The Mohegan came into view, so I slowed down and waited for the other two. Again, vis was still good at this depth. We followed the wreck along the edge of it. As Mark and I went over the wreck, I noticed Ben busy looking around. There were alot of Cuckoo Wrasse around, brightly coloured orange and purple. Pollack and Bib were around in large numbers too. I came across a fairly large Spider crab that was busy hiding itself underneath a piece of wreckage. Looking around at the wreck I noticed a large opening within a plate, so I went down to have a look. Shining my torch in I noticed that there was an opening at the other end. I slowly moved down so I was actually underneath the wreckage, being careful that I had a clear exit-point. I then remembered that Mark was with me, and I hoped that he hadn't follow me into the wreck. I had a quick look around - nothing much about. I then slowly backed myself out, and noticed that Mark was above the area that I had entered.Further along the stern of the wreck we came across a large rectangular piece of wreckage that had 2 very large bollards attached. We hovered over this for a couple of minutes having a look. We then continued along the opposite side of the wreck.I came across an area where a large plate had collapsed against another - at the edge was a rectangular opening which I made out to be a window.All along the wreck were broken pieces of china plate. I didn't really 'dig' around for anything, but it would have been nice to find one with the ships crest on. I was speaking to one of the group later in the day and they think that they might have had enough broken pieces to glue together to make a whole plate!Shortly after we sent up the blob and started our ascent. Going through the Plankton, I looked above and realised that I could see the SMB on the surface. A quick check on my computer told me that I was at 12.5m. Not bad.Back onboard, we de-kitted and moored up off Porthkerris, and had a bite to eat. The weather had brightened up a little, but was still hard to believe that this was the 1st weekend in June – was more like April.After a while we went off to the Volnay, myself and a couple of others hopeful of finding some brass timing heads (yes, they are still around), amongst things! Armed with a crowbar (!) we went in last, and followed the shotline down to the wreck. After making sure that the line wasn’t snagged we went off around to the wreck. I did tend to stay close to the 2 large boilers this time, as on other occasions I explored more of the wreck without looking too much at them. There were a lot of Pollack and bib around, as on the Mohegan, but I didn’t come across and timing heads this time!Eventually Mark and I decided to ascend. As we did we came alongside, then over, the boilers. There were about 3 HUGE Pollack just hovering there. Mark moved his hand towards one, as he was really close and it moved away a little.Back onboard we started to de-kit as other divers were picked up and off we went back o Falmouth.'Idiot of the day' award would be either RedNeill for chucking his hot-chocolate all over the deck, or myself for putting my rig on without my weightbelt. On the evening I met up with the group who were staying in a B&B and had a couple of beers. They went out today, but I had other commitments. I had a great time on the Saturday, I hope the Sunday was just as good.
Thanks Neil for that.
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