Rob and Ben at Babbacombe
Joe, our American member, enjoying club life
UKDIVING
Mike and Joe at Stoney Cove
What level of diving experience do members have?
Most members are Ocean Divers or Sports Divers( 20). We also have seven Dive Leaders and six Advanced Divers. Over recent years the club has developed a strong twinset and technical-diving culture, with many divers progressing through accelerated decompression and trimix training. We currently have nine closed-circuit rebreather divers using a range of units including JJ- CCR, XCCR, SF2 and AP rebreathers.
Several members are also involved in cave and cavern diving, including one member of the Cave Diving Group, which certainly makes for some interesting conversations in the pub after training.
What resources does the club have?
The club has invested heavily in training equipment, including CPR manikins, training AEDs, oxygen administration equipment and a waterproof full-body rescue manikin. This has greatly improved the realism and quality of rescue training. We maintain training and try-dive kit for new divers and offer members the option of club kit while they gain experience, helping to keep costs down.
You mentioned low-cost gas?
One of our biggest achievements in recent years has been developing our own compressor facility. After the pandemic we purchased a compressor, leased premises and refurbished an outbuilding, including a new roof, concrete floor and three-phase electrical supply. The facility now provides members with low-cost air, nitrox and trimix fills.
We actively encourage the use of nitrox and trimix wherever appropriate and are members of a gas-purchasing syndicate that significantly reduces oxygen and helium costs. As a result, our gas prices are considerably below commercial rates, making technical diving more accessible to members.
Where do you go diving?
Although Nuneaton is about as far from the sea as it is possible to be in England, our central location gives us excellent access to diving all around the UK. The South Coast, Scotland and Wales are within a reasonable drive, giving members access to an enormous variety of diving. And as we are only around 20 minutes from both Stoney Cove and Dosthill Quarry, training and local diving is easy to organise. The club dives yearround, with opportunities ranging from shallow training dives to historic wrecks, reefs, walls and more challenging technical dives.
Any favourites?
We organise trips throughout the year including to Plymouth, Babbacombe, Brixham, Portland, Scapa Flow and the Sound of Mull, together with occasional overseas expeditions to destinations such as Malta and Lanzarote. Our annual Easter trip to South Devon provides an excellent start to the season for newly qualified divers and those returning after a winter break. Most club trips are suitable for Ocean Divers and above, allowing members to build experience quickly in real sea conditions.
Has the club been involved in any special projects?
Diving for a purpose is probably the area in which Marlin stands out most. The club has been a strong supporter of Ghost Fishing UK since 2017, with several members actively involved in recovery operations, instruction and training. Others have completed Seasearch, Nautical Archaeology Society and BSAC
Exploring Mull ' s waters aboard the Honeydew
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