11 East Cornwall Divers members took the almost 750-mile trip from Cornwall to Orkney to dive the wrecks of Scapa Flow!

We had an excellent week aboard MV Huskyan, staying at the perfectly located Divers Lodge in Stromness.

We met up with another diver to fill the 12th space and had a great week, lots of successful dives, and some good “apres-dive” in the local pubs and restaurants of Stromness.

The non-divers who joined the trip also enjoyed visiting many of the historic sites such as Skara Brae and generally enjoying the scenery and hospitality of Orkney!

So, when do we go back? 🙂

East Cornwall Divers would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest members. This year we have had several new members join – some with existing diving qualifications looking to get out and about more regularly, and others looking to learn to dive – we look forward to helping you through your training and seeing you out on the boat!

It’s that time of the year again when we need to start collecting names for the Kernow dive festival.

For those who haven’t attended before, this is a weekend in June where lots of clubs, mostly from Cornwall, some from Devon, others from further afield, meet in Penzance – one dive is organised for you in the morning, many people dive again in the afternoon, then everyone heads back to the campsite for a BBQ, some drinks and a party!

All the funds raised go to the DDRC in Plymouth – to date over £22,500 has been raised with over £3000 last year alone.

Diving is often organised on the Sunday morning by individual clubs.

Great opportunity to dive some different sites and socialise with other clubs.

As usual the cost is £25/each, or £7.50/each for just the BBQ for any non-divers. Camping fees are collected seperatley at a special discounted price, usually around £5-6 per person per night.

There are also T-Shirts available at £20

We will not be able to take our boat this year, however this years list of dive site choices is available on the Kernow website:
http://www.kernowdiving.org.uk/kernow-festival-dive-sites

As always, there are sites for all levels from Ocean Divers to mixed gas dives.

If you’re interested, please let Janine or Chris have your name ASAP so that we can return the booking form to the Kernow group.

It’s that time of the year again when we need to start collecting names for the Kernow dive festival.

For those who haven’t attended before, this is a weekend in June where lots of clubs, mostly from Cornwall, some from Devon, others from further afield, meet in Penzance – one dive is organised for you in the morning, many people dive again in the afternoon, then everyone heads back to the campsite for a BBQ, some drinks and a party!

All the funds raised go to the DDRC in Plymouth – to date over £22,500 has been raised with over £3000 last year alone.

Diving is often organised on the Sunday morning by individual clubs.

Great opportunity to dive some different sites and socialise with other clubs.

As usual the cost is £25/each, or £7.50/each for just the BBQ for any non-divers.

There are also T-Shirts available at £20

We will be taking our boat down as usual, and this years list of dive site choices is available on the Kernow website here:
http://www.kernowdiving.org.uk/kernow-festival-dive-sites

As always, there are sites for all levels from Ocean Divers to mixed gas dives.

If you’re interested, please let James have your name ASAP so that we can return the booking form to the Kernow group.

Thanks to all who attended on Saturday to help with the work on the boat.

It was a productive day – with some work remaining particularly on the electrical systems.

The new tubes look good and we now have improved grab handles and ropes along the side to make ‘getting back in’ even easier!

The boat has been re-tubed and will be collected and returned to storage at Polbathic shortly.

Trevor is organising a working party for 28th Feb (http://www.eastcornwalldivers.co.uk/event/boat-working-party/) – all available hands appreciated!

Once the boat work is complete we’ll arrange a ‘sea trial’ (check it doesn’t leak!) and get some dives planned!

Not long now…

Sterenn Logh has gone into Tilley Inflatables to have the new tubes fitted.

This will repair the tear from last year but also give the boat a fresh new lease of life!

Thanks to all who have helped with the transport including emergency works to the trailer. In particular to our Boat Officer Trevor, who has spent a lot of time maintaining the boat this year – your effort is much appreciated by all!

The boat should be back around the end of the month – who is up for sea trials in February?! (We may have to test out diver re-entry to the RIB at the same time…!)

Diving On The Edge…

… Of Adventure, Technology and Medicine!

A great opportunity for those who are passionate about scuba diving to spend a day hearing from some incredible speakers about recreational diving at the edges of possibilities.

JOIN DDRC on Sunday 15th March 2015 at Plymouth Marine Laboratory

Hear from a top line-up of speakers who each has a very different perspective on the very edges of recreational diving.

• ANDY TORBET: TV presenter & underwater explorer on ‘Unusual Under Water Filming’
• GAVIN ANTHONY: from QinetiQ, on Carbon Dioxide & Diving.
• RICH WALKER, a GUE Instructor from Wreck & Cave on ‘Cave Diving’
• MARK POWELL, from Dive Tech on ‘Tech Training & Safety Attitudes’
• MARK HUGHES, a winchman, paramedic and technical crew instructor from Bristow Group on ‘Changes to Search And Rescue’
• NIKKI WEEDEN, on the Blue O’Two ‘Project Shark’
• DR CHRISTINE PENNY, DDRC Healthcare Medical Director on ‘Dramatic Rescue from a 30m Nigerian Shipwreck’
• DR CLAIR ASHFORD, DDRC Healthcare Diving Doctor on ‘Diving Accidents & Incidents’

EARLY BIRD TICKETS (by 28th February) ONLY £30.00, includes refreshments & lunch.
Last Minute tickets from 1st to 13th March are £35.00. 

Places are restricted. PRE-BOOKING is ESSENTIAL.

At Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth PL1 3DH.
Some free on-site parking is available on a first come, first served basis. Please car share.

To book call 01752 209999 or book online via http://www.ddrc.org/DOTE2015/

Congratulations to our four Ocean Diver 2014 students, who all passed their Ocean Diver exam first time last night!

Next to get the pool sessions completed and out to sheltered water!

Safe diving!

http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Royal-seal-approval-dive-club/story-22819267-detail/story.html