Single Again - 13/10/2017

A trip to the The Caves beckoned as myself and two additional member of Eastwood Divers started a new monthly Friday Night dive. The prospect of it being Friday the 13th didn't bother me, but the descent at the Caves to the waters edge in the dark, in a twinset was enough for me to rejig one of my regulators and dive it on a single cylinder.  A decision that as I mountain goated in and out of the water I did not regret.

The weather had been wet on the run up to the dive so the stream running under the road was in full flow. In some ways this made the entry less slippy and hazardous and by the time I was half way down I noticed the tide was high, reduce my clamber considerably. 

The dive itself proved to be lobster themed as we went about cutting them loose from the fishing line left by fishermen at the site. We plodded on for 45 minutes in decent visibility before heading up.

As successful first for our regular club night dives.

Return to the Glanmire - 09/07/2017

When I last left the deck of the Glanmire amidst the disaster of the Rope to Nowhere I didn't expect that it would be more than two years until I'd make it back given its a two hour drive from the house. OK, I've dived in  Spain, California, Florida, Vietnam, Qatar and deeper wrecks in the Clyde and Egypt, but TWO YEARS?

I was definitely ready tackle my nemesis armed with 32% nitrox and a twinset when Captain Al arranged a boat for the day. 

My buddy was Jester who'd be diving it for the first time. I was confident. I mean, what could go wrong?  We buddy checked and jumped into the water. I casually swam for the rope and waited for Jester. It was then when I heard him say something about something loose.

I looked down and saw my finger spool slowly spinning down. I tried to grab it but and pull it up, but doing that was just slowly tangling me. I called for Jester to unleash his knife and cut it at the clip. The spool was only worth £9 - about the same as the nitrox in my tank and a fraction of the £35 for the days diving. 

It was cut and we were ready to descend, but it spooked me. "Perhaps the Glanmire is my wreck nemesis?" I thought as I descended the rope. This was never going to be a chain of thought that would help me control my breathing as I descended.

At the bottom, I lay briefly on the deck and waited for Jester and to calm my breathing rate. I did, but not before I'd wasted a lot of air. We swam round the deck and about halfway through I watched as Jester started following another twinset wearer. Did he think that was me? I signalled him and realised we had been joined by another diver for the remainder of the dive.

It was just as well too, as sans reel I had no way of putting up the SMB when we failed to find the rope back up and JEster is always notoriously reluctant to offer his!! As we decided to go up I realised we had picked up the Wylie Fox who promptly, and expertly deployed her SMB. Up we went slowly stopping a little longer to cover her deco stop.

Back on the deck of the boat I laughed, it was my nemesis, but I'd won this time. 

A lengthy surface interval later and we were back out the boat diving the shallow Cathedral Rock. It was easy but surprisingly light on really interesting life. Still, we had a good time, of the 9 of us who dived it we all came back out without significant incident.

Lobster

Wylie Fox on the line

Jester Safety Stopping

Sunstar

Redemption - 30/05/2017

According to the Kingmaker after my last dive at the A-Frames around a month ago I had to redeem myself by proving that I could navigate all the frames on a single dive. I was confident - as long as the vis was more than the one metre we had on our last trip to the site.

We kitted up, buddy checked and entered the water. Once we were all set we headed down to what I call the A Frame where the Kingmaker issued his favourite instructions....

It was set then. From there we headed down to the deep frame befoe returning to dive what I call Frames 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Relative disaster struck at Frame 3 where I began to feel water on my back. I had sprung a drysuit leak. I signalled that I had a problem and needed to go up to Kingmaker & Jester. They were cool with that.

As we headed back in I spotted a lovely, big, aggressive lobster, but as you'll appreciate, taking pictures wasn't high on my priorities. However, my navigational reputation had been redeemed.

Firework Anemone

The Shallows - 26/03/2017

ScotSAC has a similar structure to PADI. Where PADI has an Openwater diver, ScotSAC has a Branch Diver. While at each level ScotSAC divers have a longer training time, they also tend to have a richer set of competencies but  a greater number of restrictions in the early stage. For example Branch Divers are required to dive with someone more qualified ScotSAC diver (a sport diver or master diver) when not out with an instructor training.

This is a good thing and it means inexperienced divers shouldn't find themselves in positions where they are putting themselves in any significant danger and will always have a more experienced buddy in the early stages.

Today I had volunteered to dive with one such diver in my club. He was restricted to 15m as a Branch Diver. I had suggested Twin Piers:

1. As a site he had never dived
2. A site where there are some cool things to see within the depth range

We arrived at the site in the midst of the three days of Scottish summer sunshine and bumped into a few of our Kilmarnock ScotSAC cousins. We chatted and got a vis report. It wasn't good.

They were right, I abandoned my plan to try and find the old truck axle and instead lead us down into the dark but relatively clear area around 15m.

On the first dive we did OK, spotting the small wreckage of a the barge, a lobster and a conger eel. 

The second dive was to be a little shorter largely so that I could get way with using just the one tank. By the time we re-entered the water the tide had gone out and the visibility had improved. It meant we had a nice wee descent through the big pier to the truck axle and by the time we were on the reef the we could see around 5m below us.

It was an almost perfect day for it and it meant a new diver could get another couple of dives under his belt and another 1hr 25 minutes logged underwater in the shallows.

The Last Days of Summer - 25/08/2015

The Mermaid and the Zookeeper were heading to the A-Frames. With them were two less experienced divers. I wasn't planning to dive as my mate was coming round to my house to collect some stuff much later in the evening. However, he came much earlier than anticipated. and left me twiddling my fingers at 6.30pm. 

A browse on Facebook meant I knew Hoddit and Doddit had just left Costa Coffee in Dumbarton and were heading up to the site for their first dive. I could make the second if I wanted. A quick look out the window and I noticed that it was one of the last days summer. I needed to take advantage this opportunity.

I arrived at the site to find three abandoned cars, a lot of midgies and bubbles making their way back to shore. I kitted up el pronto and got back in the car. The midgies were horrific. To escape them I went into the water early and waited there while the rest endured their surface intervals. 

The sun had set by the time we went underwater and I was tasked with leading us down to the 'big frame' which I did while keeping a close eye on the least experienced in our group. With just 12 dives under his belt, but he was performing admirably. I never really took many pictures, but we did see a few lobsters. 

Bubbles

This guy!

The Recluse - 03/08/2015

With both Jester and I having red letter days the following day we decided to keep the diving close to home and go dive the A-Frames. We were still wanting to photograph the reclusive anemones we'd seen on a previous dive as well. So we headed up, kitted up buddy checked and plopped in.

The visibility wasn't great, probably caused by one of the wettest July's on record and there was a definite halocline at around 18m where natural light disappeared and the temperature dropped.  I felt this temperature drop more keenly as my drysuit is now misnamed.

As we bumbled along accompanied by the hum of a nearby tanker, we met our anemones, once again closed for photographic business, As such we decided to just swim from frame to frame. Enjoying the peacock worms, goldsinnys, young cod and a lobster.

The weather held out for us which was a bonus. In fact, it turned into a very pleasant evening.

My camera had a full memory card, so I never took any photographs. All underwater photographs were taken by Jester.

Flat fish

Peacock worm

Me

Lobster

A nice night

Through The Clouds - 02/03/2015

After doing a lot of not diving last week, The Kingmaker and I decided to visit the The Caves, Loch Long. With snow forecast we took my 4x4 just in case we ended up coming home in a blizzard -which we did.

Kitting up in the failing light and snow I already had numb fingers before I even entered the water. Thankfully, the effort of clambering down the Caves unpleasant entry warmed the cockles enough to make the dive bearable.

We plopped in and I was immediately aware that the vis was less than 1m. As I sank, I watched the depth reading increasing. 5m, 6m, 7m, 8m, 9m with no improvement in the visibility. Then at around 12m I burst through the cloud only to see the Kingmaker a few metres ahead of me. Prior to this I had been following the faintest glow of his Seadragon video light.

It had opened out into a perfectly reasonable 4-5m. We dropped down to a few metres above the visible bottom (27m) where I spotted a clawless lobster - someone had clearly decided the on lobster claws for dinner, but had considered the main body too much hassle to cook.

I was enjoying myself. The last time I was here the visibility had been poor. I forgot how good a site it can be. Highlights included cluster anemones and deeplet anemone perched on the side of one of the sheer drops.

The return journey, normally my favourite part of a dive at The Caves, was poor due to the silt laden halocline that we'd entered through. Still, a pretty good Monday night scuba escapade.

My old friend

Pink spotted sea cucumber

Cluster anemone

Cluster anemone

Deeplet anemone

Deeplet anemone

The Kingmaker

Hunt for Red October - 12/10/2014

Today's trip to the Caves, Loch Long was a tale of two dives with one setting up the fun for the other.

As member of my local ScotSAC I occasionally dive with my local branch. Today I was with two new buddies who I'll nickname the Hook and Starfish. Hook's an experienced seadog with over a thousand dives while Starfish is newly qualified youngster. In the dive my job was to swim at the back and help keep an on Starfish.

We kitted up and headed down. I was glad to see that someone had added to the rope that TDFKAMF and I set up couple of months ago. Although weathering and use has taken its toll. It probably needs retied. Anyway, as I've said before, the entry to the Caves is tricky and, with her parents looking on, Starfish coped admirably.

We plopped in, got settled and then dropped down to 10m before going all the way down to 27m+. Fortunately, the vis was good (6-8m). We made our way through the dive finding some nice anemones and ballan wrasse. Towards the end of the dive I noticed a massive lobster under a rock, but Hook and Starfish had already gone by so I thought I'd revisit it on out 2nd dive.

On the surface we chatted about the dive and I mentioned the Lobster. It was at this point Hook got his name as he produced his lobster hook. I commented about the size and Hook explained that if they are too big there not fit for consumption as the meat is too tough. On this dive the hook was merely for luring out the lobster and seeing just how bog it was - not for catching.

So began the Hunt for Red October - a lobster the size of a submarine!

We dived a pretty similar profile and on the return we began our search. Taking account the of the incoming tide, we adjusted  the depth that I spotted the monster. As I was using a 10l tank I was starting to run pretty low on air when I finally found it again. It was as big as I remembered. I took video footage of Hook trying to lure it out, but you don't get to be a lobster that big without being a bit cannie.

At the surface Hook confirmed that he was way to big for consumption, but we still have no idea just how big he actually is.

Deeplet anemone

Ascending

The view when surfacing

Conger eel

Bloody henry

Beadlet anemone

Wrasse Never Sleeps - 07/08/2014

The Zookeeper and I had heard of a 20m vis report at the Caves, Loch Long. Even if it wasn't going to be that good there was still the potential for an excellent dive. So, after work, we headed up for an evening dip. At the site we encountered a couple of friendly fisherman visiting from Royston Vasey.

Test driving a new Mares Matrix computer, we kitted up headed down to 24m. The visibility was good, and getting better the deeper we went. Perhaps not 20m, but certainly around 15m.

As we swam along we encountered a load of lobsters and edible crabs in the cracks and nooks of the rock faces. At one point a lion's mane jellyfish flubbed by.

On the turn we found more lobsters, some even posed for photos.Then came the large ballan and cuckoo wrasse - quite a lot of them.

The final twist on the dive was an edible crab trapped in fishing line. Naturally, the Zookeeper took pity on it and began cutting it free. However, unlike some others which are quite happy to be freed, this one took quite a liking to nipping her fingers. I won't lie, it was moderately amusing to watch.

In short, extraordinary vis and a fun evening. Although, photos were limited after both the Zookeeper and I developed camera issues.

Lobster by the Zookeeper

Me midwater by the Zookeeper

Sea squirts

Plumose anemones

The Long Walk to Freedom - 29/05/2014

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” ― Nelson Mandela

Tonight The Zookeeper, K-Pep and myself dived Furnace Quarry, Loch Fyne. I'd never dived it before, but I had dived the neighbouring site Dogfish Reef. The Quarry has a similar underwater topography - essentially a steep giant boulder slope dropping down into the abyss well beyond 40m.

We entered the water after battling though a cloud of midgies, so diving into the water was a considerable relief! Before entering I had realised I'd left my computer at home, fortunately K-Pep carries a spare Aladdin 3G which he let me use.

K-Pep, a veteran of over 1,500 dives when he stopped logging, led us down to 25m where we encountered the usual variety of Loch Fyne life. As we began working our way back up the reef we started to encounter some stunning deeplet anemones which I identified thanks to this handy ScotSAC guide.

Moving back into shallower waters the Zookeeper spotted a number of large edible crabs dangerously entangled in discarded fishing line. I think it would be great to take fisherman under the water to show them the damage their pastime has on the environment. Regardless, we drew our knives and set to work. I cut the long lines, in part to ensure that neither of my buddies became entangled leaving them to touch the crabs. I'm not a huge fan of anything with that many legs, so the role of documentary film-maker suited me fine.

At one point, Laura let the largest crab go and it fell lifelessly to a rock. I feared the worst, but then it slowly came too realising it was free and proceeded to do what edible crabs do best - find a hole to sit in. In my head, I had the chorus of "Born Free" buzzing away. I think this has been the first time that I've felt like an environmental/animal rights activist.

Continuing on we started to encounter some large ballan wrasse - the probable targets of the fishermen. However, if you think they are hard to catch on a line, try catching them on camera. They led me a very merry dance indeed!

Then, after 67, minutes it was time to get out the water and head home. En route home I stopped in, to my eternal regret, at Mr Pia's Fish 'n' Chips in Inverary for a bag of chips. *BOAKS*

Deeplet anemone

Lobster

Deeplet anemone

Battling to save crabs

Ballan wrasse

The Zookeeper

Caves 101 - 04/03/2014

I dived The Caves, Loch Long for the first time last night with Avril's 'West Coast Divers'. As always there is some cross pollination between dive groups, so I knew all the divers present and they included Avril, Fast Ed, Big Alan and Laura - who has decided she wants a nickname, suggestions on a postcard.

I've wanted to dive the Caves for some time, but wanted to do the site first during the day to acquaint myself with the difficult entry before attempting it at night. However, with my usual Tuesday night football training cancelled and I was presented with the opportunity to dive the site at night with experienced divers. So I took it.

The site itself is not a series of Caves as the name would suggest, but rather a steep wall dive with rocky overhangs, presenting the impression that you are, on occasion, in a cavern.

So to the entry, it goes like this:

1. a 5m clamber down a 70-80 degree incline 
2. a 5m clamber through a 1.5m high tunnel on a 20 degree incline with small river passing through
3. a 20m (at low tide) clamber down through seaweed covered rocks with flowing water with 45 degree incline

In short, it wasn't the worst entry I've ever encountered and, in fact, I enjoyed it. As a result, I was first in the water. 

Once in the water, the site is a wee bit silty until you encounter the main sections of the wall. I know this as Laura and I went at the back for two reasons:

1. I knew Laura would be taking photographs (I'd left my camera at home)
2. We both had mild colds and if we were going to have equalising problems we didn't want to hold up the group. Fortunately, neither of us had to call in Edward Woodward.

Remaining about 5m behind the main group we descended to around 22m and man I wish I'd brought my camera. Huge common lobsters and edible crabs that would grace any plate, large wrasse (ballan, goldsinny, corkwing), cod, big scorpion fish, bloody henry starfish, horse anemone, devonshire cup corals. However, I was most impressed  by the rock formations mohawked with plumose anemones. 

With 100 bar left I was still having, as we say in Scotland, a rare tear! I eventually popped up at the entry point with 50 bar left.

This dive was epic and I'd go as far to say that in my 101 dives it was right up there with Cenotes Chac Mool in Mexico and it cost me nothing to dive and it's right here in Scotland. I cannot wait to go back - difficult entry or not.

I've scraped a few of Laura and Avril's picture off Facebook as it would be a shame if you didn't see any of it. Shhh!

Cod by Laura

Horse Anemone by Laura

Scorpion fish by Laura

Devonshire Cup Coral by Avril

Edible Crab by Avril

Attacking Lobster by Laura