UKDIVING
Part of a boiler
Piles of plates guarded by a prawn
Discovering the control gear
Lost fishing gear and ordnance
experience – and you would be correct. The Gasperados( and yes we did vote on that) are such a group, experienced with deep diving trips and previous search projects such as HMS Jason and HMS Hawke. The diving itself was spread over three years and about 15 dives: 10 targets interspersed with‘ fun’ dives on known wrecks.
Our targets were in 85-100m and over 40 miles offshore, so each one was individually a serious undertaking. Our platform was Atlantic Diver, skippered by Chris Lowe. Chris is an old hand, and his skill is matched only by his enthusiasm, so we could not have had a better skipper.
Dive planning, equipment checks, safety protocols and logistics were therefore critical to success and together we did over 100 dives, mainly on AP rebreathers, but with some JJs, X-CCRs and a REVO thrown in.
Tampa trips were typically spread over a weekend, dictated by time, tides, and the physical effort of long days at sea. Each day lasted over 12 hours – loading at 6am and returning in darkness. Newquay
is very tidal, so the effort of loading and unloading up the steep stairs capped what we could achieve each time.
Once loaded, we would start the 3-4- hour run out, getting our heads down in unlikely spots on the boat, disturbed only by the constant need to eat that plagues all diving trips.
Our final trip fitted this pattern. A rented house as HQ, a reasonable meet time( 8.30am – luxury!) and piles of gear, including several drop bottles and a lazy shot.
Once on target, any thoughts that this was a final box-ticking exercise faded as we looked at the sounder trace 95m below. This mark was supposedly a wooden fishing boat, but the contact was metal, and much too big.
Kitting-up time. Even on a cool day this is an effort, as the sun always comes out
here. Thermal layers, perhaps a heated undersuit, and finally the drysuit. We were early for slack, sitting in our units doing pre-dive checks in good time. Everybody has their own method, so the boat goes silent with concentration.
Solving the mystery
Time to go. The first two divers heave themselves to the gate, helped by a non-diving volunteer. A rebreather with two stage cylinders and all the extra gear weighs possibly 100kg, so the jump comes as a relief.
Check CCR readings and descend through the plankton layer. Below that it is clear, but increasingly dark.
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