Not really DIR but my first sea dive.

**jb2cool** · December 20th, 2005, 01:14 PM

This was back in October and a quick nip down to Portland for do my first proper sea dives and first dives off a RIB.

On the first dive we were going to dive the Dredger but had to skip as it was a bit rough so we went for a little look-see just outside the harbour wall. The boat ride out was fun but as soon as we stopped outside the wall, i thought i was gonna throw up. I'm pretty good on boats but the swell seemed pretty big to me.
Anyhow, got in and went down and had a look. Found a few hermit crabs and a fair size spider crab but the viz was a bit naff. Went up and got onboard to go back to the clubhouse for food.

On the second dive we dived a wreck called The Countess or Erne. No doubt that most of you would have dived this but this was my first proper wreck (You can't count the ones in Wraysbury or Horsea).
This was a nice dive. Vis was fairly good and the swell was a lot smaller (As we were inside the wall). We went down the shot line and found the wreck. Had a little look around the rocks that lead away from the wreck but didn't see much (Did see a few little fishies) so headed back to the Countess. Did full lap and saw some pretty good sized wrass and then hovered over the bow (Or pointy bit for those that prefer) whilst doing a safety stop (Good time to practice my bouyancy). Up to the rib and got on.

Here is a little map of where we went. I think i got the dives in the right place.

Here are some pics of The Countess for those that are interested.

*Clare Gledhill* · December 20th, 2005, 01:18 PM

They were my first two sea dives too - they are clearly the two wrecks that you get taken to lose your salty water virginity in the UK :D

Mine were booked by Alistair - who looked after me very well - and were with Breakwater. Given that I ended up back on the Dreger and the Countess for my DIR F a couple of weeks later - good practice too.

Thanks for posting

Tricky · December 20th, 2005, 01:19 PM

I did the Countess once, when doing my Club Diver training. I can't remember anything about it, but have wanted to dive it again ever since.

**jb2cool** · December 20th, 2005, 01:23 PM

just got to get back down there now and do more diving. Going to do more work on and in the wreck next time rather than just going around.

Want to practice hoveringin preparation for my DIR-F

Davey Willo · December 20th, 2005, 05:06 PM

Well done J you salty sea dog you :D

**jb2cool** · December 20th, 2005, 05:39 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Davey Willo)

Well done J you salty sea dog you :D

Been busy DIR'ing my rig recently.

Spring straps on the fins,
Took off the pull-dump on my wing,
Taking the bungee of my wing,
Installed a crotch strap on my backplate,
New regs coming tomorrow (Hopefully),
New hoses for regs and new SPG for xmas,
Wrist mounted all my instruments;

Looking forward diving with all the new kit.

*Brian Allen* · December 20th, 2005, 08:11 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by jb2cool)

New regs coming tomorrow (Hopefully)

Yep they were sent out special delivery to arrive by 1pm, you'll have them tomorrow... have got all the consignment numbers if you want to track them.

Thanks again

**jb2cool** · December 20th, 2005, 08:52 PM

Cheers Brian but as long as i get them before Christmas (When i can have my hoses/SPG) then i'll be a happy bunny.

December 20th, 2005, 01:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
jb2cool (Online) Padawan learner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire Posts: 798	Not really DIR but my first sea dive. This was back in October and a quick nip down to Portland for do my first proper sea dives and first dives off a RIB. On the first dive we were going to dive the Dredger but had to skip as it was a bit rough so we went for a little look-see just outside the harbour wall. The boat ride out was fun but as soon as we stopped outside the wall, i thought i was gonna throw up. I'm pretty good on boats but the swell seemed pretty big to me. Anyhow, got in and went down and had a look. Found a few hermit crabs and a fair size spider crab but the viz was a bit naff. Went up and got onboard to go back to the clubhouse for food. On the second dive we dived a wreck called The Countess or Erne. No doubt that most of you would have dived this but this was my first proper wreck (You can't count the ones in Wraysbury or Horsea). This was a nice dive. Vis was fairly good and the swell was a lot smaller (As we were inside the wall). We went down the shot line and found the wreck. Had a little look around the rocks that lead away from the wreck but didn't see much (Did see a few little fishies) so headed back to the Countess. Did full lap and saw some pretty good sized wrass and then hovered over the bow (Or pointy bit for those that prefer) whilst doing a safety stop (Good time to practice my bouyancy). Up to the rib and got on. Here is a little map of where we went. I think i got the dives in the right place. Here are some pics of The Countess for those that are interested. __________________ http://jb2cool.bulldoghome.com Last edited by jb2cool; April 2nd, 2006 at 07:54 PM.

December 20th, 2005, 01:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Pacman Champion! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,541	They were my first two sea dives too - they are clearly the two wrecks that you get taken to lose your salty water virginity in the UK :D Mine were booked by Alistair - who looked after me very well - and were with Breakwater. Given that I ended up back on the Dreger and the Countess for my DIR F a couple of weeks later - good practice too. Thanks for posting __________________ Clare . "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions....Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great." Interested in DIR dive training? Always happy to chat/answer questions so get in touch via PM or visit www.dirdiver.co.uk Last edited by Clare Gledhill; December 20th, 2005 at 01:21 PM.

December 20th, 2005, 01:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tricky(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Reading, Berkshire Posts: 555	I did the Countess once, when doing my Club Diver training. I can't remember anything about it, but have wanted to dive it again ever since. __________________ "I know that you believe that you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant." "Make me one with everything" said the Mystic to the Hamburger vendor. UK Diving Forum Sryth: A Free Online Text RPG Join the Adventure! Fallen Sword: Free online RPG

December 20th, 2005, 01:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
jb2cool (Online) Padawan learner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire Posts: 798	just got to get back down there now and do more diving. Going to do more work on and in the wreck next time rather than just going around. Want to practice hoveringin preparation for my DIR-F __________________ http://jb2cool.bulldoghome.com

December 20th, 2005, 05:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
jb2cool (Online) Padawan learner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire Posts: 798	Quote: (Originally Posted by Davey Willo) Well done J you salty sea dog you :D Been busy DIR'ing my rig recently. Spring straps on the fins, Took off the pull-dump on my wing, Taking the bungee of my wing, Installed a crotch strap on my backplate, New regs coming tomorrow (Hopefully), New hoses for regs and new SPG for xmas, Wrist mounted all my instruments; Looking forward diving with all the new kit. __________________ http://jb2cool.bulldoghome.com

December 20th, 2005, 05:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
Davey Willo(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cleveland Posts: 197	Well done J you salty sea dog you :D

December 20th, 2005, 08:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
Brian Allen(Offline) GUE Instructor Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London & Plymouth Posts: 594	Quote: (Originally Posted by jb2cool) New regs coming tomorrow (Hopefully) Yep they were sent out special delivery to arrive by 1pm, you'll have them tomorrow... have got all the consignment numbers if you want to track them. Thanks again __________________ ...dive planning again ... GUE fundamentals and Halcyon Equipment Online www.ocean-explorers.co.uk

December 20th, 2005, 08:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
jb2cool (Online) Padawan learner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire Posts: 798	Cheers Brian but as long as i get them before Christmas (When i can have my hoses/SPG) then i'll be a happy bunny. __________________ http://jb2cool.bulldoghome.com