BSACANNIVERSARY
Some of the RIBs at Tower Bridge
The Thames Boat Run
Celebrating in style
It was almost exactly 70 years to the day of BSAC ’ s formation when the flotilla of RIBs made their way up the Thames as a celebration of the landmark . The point wasn ’ t to dive under the swirling waters of the Thames , but to celebrate with a display of boat handing skills under the autumn sun .
London was , after all , the birthplace of BSAC , when a coterie of adventurers met at the Waldorf Hotel , on 15 October 1953 to discuss the newly available Aqua-Lung .
The flotilla joined the Thames after setting off from Erith Yacht Club in Dartford , led by a RNLI vessel . Gravesend RNLI ’ s Thames Commander Karla Thresher said it was a privilege to lead the BSAC RIBs inbound : “ It was a unique sight for passers-by to witness BSAC RIBs on the Thames , passing landmarks such as Greenwich , Canary Wharf , The O2 Area , Globe Theatre , Tate Modern , HMS Belfast and Tower Bridge .”
Taking part was BSAC ’ s CEO , Mary Tetley . “ What a great way to celebrate BSAC ’ s 70 th Anniversary , with a big visual celebration of our clubs and their boats on the Thames ,” she said . “ There ’ s a lot of pride associated with our RIBs because they enable our members to dive independently . This selfsufficiency is part of our identity , so it ’ s wonderful to see it being celebrated here on the Thames .”
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Cardiff BSAC giving it large