Derek’s Dive Domain

Date: Saturday 25/2/06

Location: Stoney Cove

Buddy: Chas49 (YD)

Max Depth: 20.4 metres

Dive time: 31 minutes total duration, 22 mins bottom time

Water Temp: 4 ‘C

Total Dive Time Logged to Date: 28:21

Another nice leisurely dive with Charles from YD at the Freeze Your bits off gig.  After arriving late, I got suited up in the top car park and carried everything else down to Charles’ car down in the bottom car park.  After collecting the tank and getting ready, we eventually summoned up the courage (or idiocy) required to step into the 4′C water, entering from the slipway.

We dropped down to the 6 metre ledge, and after checking everything was fine, went over the wall and down to 20 metres, hitting the bottom with the land rover in sight.  Passed out from there and met the anchor chain part of the way to the Stanegarth, and headed over that way.  Arrived and went around the Stanegarth at bottom level, having a quick look at the prop, and then moved on up to deck level.  Went through the passageway behind the wheelhouse, which was the first time I had been inside, or through anything in a heck of a long while, and whilst normal to most people, I got a thrill out of looking out from inside, and also down to the left into the hold, where I got a royal box view of some divers inside the hold.  Came out of the passage, and we skirted around the bow of the Stanegarth and then turned to see a host of rebreather divers sneaking up on us.  Made way for them and moved to the stern, passing over the top of the hold, before taking a heading over to the Wessex (and yes I did mean for us to end up there Charles! (for once)).  Moved over that way, experimenting with finning in midwater, trying to keep a depth of 17 metres, and not doing too badly until we reached the Wessex, where I messed up my bouyancy briefly, but recovered in time to head over and up the wall, with a very slow ascent.  That is something else I have been trying to work on, as I have been told that I tend to rush up a little bit; not breaking any ascent rates, but tending to be on the fast side.  When we came over the top of the wall at 9 metres, we scooted around the Nautilus and headed into the blockhouse under the pub, before heading out at the slipway again.

Note to self:  I still appear to be a little underweighted, as although fine when getting in, I found it very hard to stay down in anything less than 4 or 5 metres.  It has improved since the last dive, but I obviously need a little more weight yet.  I’ll add that 3/4 kilo of shot before I dive again.

After a surface interval, I decided to can the day, as my hands were refusing to warm up, the point being proved when Gary came out from his dive and asked me to unclip his stage, and I couldn’t actually do it!  Some new 5mm gloves in order, to replace the old and worn 3mm ones.