Over the week of 26 July to the 02 August, Army Reserve personnel planned and conducted a Sub Aqua expedition to the Isle of Man. This exercise involved a combination of Army Reserve and Regular personnel each from a different Unit. There was some concern regarding the diving as we arrived on the Island under stormy conditions, however, after a good night’s sleep we awoke to sun, calm seas and an eagerness to get kitted up and in the water.
The expedition used ‘Discover Diving’ centre for the duration of the expedition. Discover Diving are a BSAC Centre of Excellence, BSAC Technical Centre, BSAC Seamanship Centre, PADI Centre and TDI Training Centre. They are a highly professional, friendly and helpful team which accommodated our needs throughout the week in a safe and competent manner. Our accommodation was also located within the premises of the Diving Centre, consisting of self catering, dormitory style rooms.
The weeks diving was conducted from the centre’s boat ‘Endeavour’. On arrival at the dock we were able to load all the dive kit and store it on board for the duration of the week. Our first dive was the Citrine Wreck - quite a shallow wreck at approximately 15m. This allowed everyone to check their weights, kit configurations and get to know their diving conditions. It was obvious that some required practice on entering the water, but we had a full week to recall our training. For the second part of the day we moved to a wall dive at Bay Fine. As each pair arrived back at the boat it became obvious that this would be a spectacular week; the visibility off the Isle of Man was stunning. Everyone boasted of the large numbers of crabs, lobsters, dead-mans fingers and starfish. However, the quantity was not the only surprise to some, but rather the size of the crabs and lobsters. There was some discussion regarding a platter of sea food for dinner, or just enjoy the underwater views – the latter won.
The second days diving focused on some sports diver training, the water was slightly choppy which resulted in altering some of the dive sites, but a careful skipper dealt with this swiftly and there was no significant impact on the diving. With a late start planned for the following day, we grabbed the opportunity of completing a night dive. For one individual this was their first experience of diving at night, and although it can be a little unnerving to begin with, it doesn’t take long to settle down into the peacefulness of a dark sea. It was after midnight before everyone got back to the accommodation but this was a valuable and enjoyable evening.
Although a little bleary eyed the following day, we visited Sugar Loaf Caves and the Burro. There was a little competition for who was the most agile in the water: the seals won hands down as they entertained us for the majority of the day. As the week progressed so to did the depths and the last two days allowed those under training to get their depth progressions, of course simultaneously investigating a wreck.
As the diving was coming to an end and the weather was closing in again, we took an opportunity to visit the RLNI station and the hyperbaric chamber (education purposes only). These visits were exceptionally interesting. The hyperbaric chamber gave permission for a short ‘pot dive’ and instructing the team regarding diving illnesses. Moreover, it was interesting to hear how many non-diving injuries are also treated in such chambers.
Many thanks to the Ulysses Trust in providing funding in support of key personnel on this expedition. Their support is invaluable, and such commitment has resulted in the following qualifications from this expedition: an Advanced Diver, a Sports Diver to 20m and a Sports Diver to 35m.
