Derek’s Dive Domain

Date: Wednesday 1/3/06

Location: Stoney Cove

Buddy: Freeflow (YD)

Max Depth: 21.2 Metres

Dive Time: 28 minutes total duration, 17 minutes bottom time

Water Temp: 4 ‘C

Total Dive Time Logged to Date: 28:49

My first night dive proper since Dive no. 25, in Fort Bovisand Harbour way back in 1997, so this was quite a challenge for me, despite being in the familiar environment of Stoney Cove.  I was buddying up with David, (Freeflow on YD) for the first time tonight, so several things were new, and caution was the order of the day.  Went in from the Bus Stop, after David had been back up to his car to fetch his torch… might need that!

After sorting ourselves out, we dropped down to the  six metre ledge, and whilst David was checking his shutdowns, I was familiarising myself with multitasking with my new torch and generally getting used to diving in the full on darkness as it had been so long.  After confirming that we were both happy, we dropped over the edge, and gradually made our way down to 20 metres, descending down to where the breezeblock structure is, and David led the way over to the coach.  After a quick look at that, which looks a little eerie in the dark, we headed out to the Stanegarth, and after a quick circle at deck level, cut over to the Wessex, before coming back up the wall.  I found ascending very awkward, having to juggle the torch, the inflator and keeping an eye on my depth gauge, so I took it very gently, only scaring myself when I thought I saw 160% on the D-Timer, despite not thinking I was moving very fast.  I had actually read that wrong in the torchlight, and it was 60%.

Once up and over onto the 6 metre ledge, we pottered around the Nautilus and along the ledge, stopping to look at one of the Pike which was hanging around on the bottom, probably sleeping   Also saw a diver taking photo’s of another smaller pike just down at the bottom from the steps.

Once out, David was explaining that he had had a trickle through his primary for most of the dive, and as we were talking we noticed that my primary was very gently freeflowing, although it had only started to do so, after I had doffed my kit and was sorting things out.  Must remember to shut off the cylinder more quickly next time, and also shows how cold the air is at the moment!

Then it was into the bar for a quick drink and natter!  A good dive, and I learnt quite a few more bits and pieces that I want to work on in future dives.