Some Diving Shots

[andywg]

Well, here are a few shots from my recent diving exploits. First up are a bunch of shots taken at various times at Stoney Cove:

Also in Stoney is a Wessex helicopter, or at least what is left of it. British divers being British divers they have hacked off anything they can get hold of and left this

Next to the Wessex is a pile of stuff that has been ripped off and left

Also there is the Stanegarth which once looked like this:

And now looks like this

To make things more amusing people have started adding signs to the ship such as a public footpath sign:

And various safety signs

Now when the last three shots were taken the "green" (algae bloom) was well and truly in evidence. Compare this, nearly identical positioned, photo of the footpath sign to the above one

Looking around gave views like this:

However it was a little colder on the last visit too, with Stoney changing from the top one here, to the bottom one:

However, cold no longer bothers Andy, as he has a drysuit and dry gloves and thus stays all warm now:

 

[andywg]

To give an idea of how much busier Stoney is on the weekend, compare a Friday shot of the entry side to a Saturday shot:

And for an example of how nice the viz can be, the below pic was taken while doing a simulated decompression stop. I am at about 5.5 to 6 metres there and those people just about visible are on the surface of the Stanegarth, so a good 10 metres or so, and that's in the middle of Christmas period.

Also recently visited was Gildenburgh, a true mud pit, and it didn't disappoint. Viz was about 3 metres or so as these descent shot shows:

Vis around the bus wasn't great:

And it seems signs are attached to buses as well as boats now:

Looking away from the bus gives you:

The plane was equally murky and dark, so torches were needed despite it being midday.

And a shot of my buddy on the second dive looking all scary in his box

And finally, my newest purchase, a twinset!

It was offered to me for a price I couldn't turn down. The regs on it aren't mine and are just loaned until I can find some Apeks second stages to go with the first stages I have. Next stop Nitrox, then Helium so I can make use of the stickers on the set. Squeaky voice diving here I come!

 

[WILDER]

Good pics andy enjoyed looking at them.

 

[stang1]

Fantastic photos Andy and makes me want to take up diving!
Is it quite eerie when you come across shipwrecks and the like?
Also, what is the fish in the first picture?

 

[ALW]

Nice Pics

 

[andywg]

Fantastic photos Andy and makes me want to take up diving!

I highly recommend it, even if you just do a PADI course and dive abroad.

Is it quite eerie when you come across shipwrecks and the like?

When in low viz, having the ship appear as you swim or descend towards it is somewhat strange and an interesting moment, as is swimming out into nothingness. On the second dive we decided to just swim out and came across a cloud of kicked up crud from the bottom, which I could have sworn was a mud bank we were about to swim into. As it was we decided it was time to go up as we had no idea where we were.

Also, what is the fish in the first picture?

I believe it is some sort of perch, though my knowledge of FW temperate fish is poor at best.

 

[Helen G]

Nice pics. I did a spot of diving when I was a teen. Don't remeber the first thing about it now though! Did a dive somewhere in Anglesey, but the rest was in my local pool!

 

[MermaidMel]

Well I'm glad u enjoy ur hobby I personally can't think of anything worse than diving it looks so minging swimming about in all that gunk

 

[Arfie]

Nice shots Andy, that algae bloom is what I learned to dive in 6 years ago this month in Stoney. I'm amazed I still dive

I got into the rather shallow (7m) Blue Lagoon yesterday for my orientation (with mates) with my new Seaskin drysuit 3 dives and pretty much all we saw was a large goldfish . There are also reports of a large diver like creature repeatedly doing forward rolls to get rid of constantly floaty feet which later metamorphasised into a dive god I'm off to Stoney on Bank Holiday Monday for some deeper tests before I go getting salt on it.

Here is a (badly stitched) panoramic shot of Stoney on a sunny winters day.

The orange bouy is the location of Stanegarth (shipwreck) for those who've not had the "pleasure"

Now I can stay flat again, I'll take my camera and try and get some more shots for you, maybe even the pike.

I'd also echo what Andy says, JUST DO IT. I recommend you do a PADI course and start getting wet, if you just do it abroad in the warm blue sea then fine, but if you love it, you'll love the green stuff too You can then think about more suitable training or just doing more dives.

Arfie

 

[stang1]

I know it sounds daft but I worry that it may be claustrophobic?!
I've always loved the thought of it and that's the main reason I've been put off it for so long.
How long does it take to qualify for the type of diving both you and Arfie do?

 

[GobyMaster]

Great pictures!

Looks like fun, too bad we don't have any good lakes in Nebraska

 

[backtotropical]

Nice pics Andy. Thanks for sharing them.

I've just booked a holiday to the Red Sea Riviera and i'm going to try diving. I can't wait. Its something i've wanted to try for ages.

It's only a 1 week holiday and the PADI course is 4/5 days so i won't be doing it on this visit, but just to swim with the fishies in the red sea should be absolutely amazing!

Cheers

BTT

I'll be bringing back 50 Addis Butterflyfish which i'll be selling at £40 each if anyone is interested. Only kidding of course!

 

[WILDER]

I would be scared to death that there was a shark behind me.

 

[andywg]

I know it sounds daft but I worry that it may be claustrophobic?!
I've always loved the thought of it and that's the main reason I've been put off it for so long.

You may find it a bit claustrophobic, especially on small wrecks, but on reefs with great viz you are more at risk of agoraphobia. I know I was a bit put off getting into the sea at Fiji and being able to see for over 30m when I'm used to 5m being a good viz.

How long does it take to qualify for the type of diving both you and Arfie do?

I can't speak for Arfie, but I have been diving just over a year. however I have fallen in love of the techy stuff, so I am pursuing ever more technical and deeper diving. The first PADI course is a 4 or 5 day affair often, while BSAC tends to take longer but is cheaper and done in an amateur club style. PADI is good to get you in the water, but BSAC is better for teaching you to dive in British waters. And if you can dive in British waters then the rest of the world is easy.

If all goes well I may be able to hit an unknown wreck in a couple of weeks, so I could have some pics for you.

 

[CFC]

Interesting pictures Andy, and the fish are indeed Perch (Perca fluviatilis).