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Contributed by Anne Massam
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Thursday, 14 June 2007 |
The sun was shining and there was hardly a breath of wind as we arrived at the Boat-house. As assistant dive manager for the day, Geoff soon had us getting MIR ready. At 08.30 we were on our way to Polly Steps at Teignmouth.
Polly Steps was very busy when we arrived with several boats and
jet-skis being launched. We soon had MIR launched and the first wave
putting their kit on board.
I took the helm and steering by compass
took Clint, Dave, Peter, Phil and Helen out to the Bretagne. A charter
RIB was there and so we used their shot. Dave and Peter were the first
in the water. Phil and Helen were almost ready when Dave and Peter
reappeared. Dave had to abort his dive due to sinus pain. Peter
joined Phil and Helen and were on their way to the wreck. Dave took
over as Boat-handler so Clint and I soon followed.
The water was
fairly "soupy" but we could see about 2m. There is quite a crop of
Pink fan coral on the deck of the Bretagne. Shoals of fish, mostly
Pouting swam around us and I saw one Blenny looking out of a hole. We
had a good look at the propeller lying on the deck and then went over
the stern to look at the one that is in the correct position! After a
leisurely look along the deck we deployed a DSMB and returned to the
surface. Clint deployed his new surface marker and the charter Rib
came over to take pictures!! We now headed back to Polly Steps.
Wave
two was ready and waiting. Geoff H, Nic, Simon and Geoff M were all
going out to the Galicia and Derek and Hilary chose to dive on Dawlish
Rock. Whilst they were gone we had a leisurely lunch and rest. They
all reported good dives although the visibility could have been better.
We
were ready and waiting when MIR returned and loaded up our kit ready to
go out to the Galicia. Phil, Simon, Clint, Helen, Dave and I were all
keen to be on our way. Dave was hoping he would be able to get a dive
in this time. Dave and Simon were first in the water, but it was not to
be Dave's day as once again he had to abort his dive. Simon waited on
the shot and joined Phil and I when we were ready.
The water was
fairly murky and we were very conscious that there might be net on the
wreck. This proved to be the case. There were many casualties trapped
in the netting including cormorants. Phil cut a lobster free and took
it home with him!. All too soon Phil deployed a DSMB and we returned
to the RIB. Clint and Helen surfaced and proudly announce they had
freed a lobster to be confronted with Phil's catch!!
We now made our
way homewards and finally arrived back at the boat-house at 20.30. A
very goods days diving was had by all (well maybe not Dave).
Congratulations to Geoff on a succesful day as assistant dive manager.
Anne Massam
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 14 June 2007 )
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