Diving, 'Water Cockney', Malta, May 2011, ID 1102

21 SAS

Exercise Water Cockney was a military sub-aqua diving expedition in Malta. The expedition consisted of 20 personnel from a mixture of TA and regular units. The exercise was organised by MOD Leighton House and all diving and accommodation was co-ordinated via a local dive company “Selkies” based in Sliema, Malta. The country of Malta consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. All diving was conducted off of the shores of the main island of Malta with the exception of a dive one afternoon at the Comino caves.

The aim of the expedition was to conduct a progressively challenging diving program in order to develop leadership, physical courage, confidence and determination in those taking part. It was aimed primarily at TA soldiers who normally have little opportunity to undertake adventurous training.

The exercise lasted 9 days and was based in the town of Sliema on the North East of the Island. Two dives were conducted each day either from the shoreline or a dive boat with evenings spent conducting theory training prior to enjoying a few light beverages. Malta has a considerable number of wrecks of various sizes and at various depths which allowed for an interesting and challenging dive package to be put together.

The kind financial contribution of the Ulysees Trust allowed the organisers to reduce the personal contribution of those taking part to a reasonable level, ensuring that the expedition was open to all. The expedition organisers and all those who took part would once again like to thank the Ulysees Trust for their support.

Thanks to

working in partnership with