Martin Burnard(Offline)

Nice ditty old bean!

Well here we go…..

I arrive at Aquanauts to see a Max Wall appreciation society meeting taking place….. no they are divers with that trendy tight thermal gear on.. that’s alright then. Initial pleasantries exchanged reveals these are going to be a good bunch folks to dive with.

The only member of the group I had dived with before was “Little Pete”, and as I had “muscled in” on the dive I thought I had best ask nicely who would dive with me.

Marianne and Howard were the brave volunteers who stepped forward (Thanks folks), the strip out to the Scylla was a little bumpy but fairly pleasant, followed by some kitting up and the fallout of the boat to dive.

Marianne and Howard had decided that as the Local Lad, I should lead, so dive plan in place off we went. And the dive plan was as follows :-

Down the bow bouy, stop at 6m bubble check for all then proceed down to the bow.
Stop on the bow check team still happy and then descend to the sea floor.
Travel the length of the ship looking at wildlife on the sides and the bottom, until we reached the stern. Ascend the stern and admire the increase in life.
Fin across the helicopter landing pad to the hanger, check everybody happy with a swim through, and proceed, exit the rear of the hanger onto the deck and proceed looking into the swim throughs that are available, pick one particular one which has plenty to look at, exit the other side. Repeat this process a little further on. Move on forwards and ascend up the side of the bridge over the top and down the other side. Move towards the bow, through the missile racks and up to the bow. Check everybody ready to ascend. A nice slow ascent followed. Dive completed.

This gave us a run time of 44 mins. A gentle pace, and time to be nosey.

Funny I tried to get everybody to eat, but some must be on diets!

I enjoyed diving with both Marianne and Howard, and happy to do so again.

Must do some work!