KIRSTYANDREWS
Feeling well JEL
Early season divers in Plymouth were treated to some fantastic conditions , and Kirsty Andrews was at the vanguard
My first boat dives of this year were on familiar territory : a trip to Plymouth and a double-header itinerary of the wreck of the James Eagan Layne (‘ JEL ’, to her friends ) and a bimble on the Mewstone Ledges . Two favourites , and also sensible choices for early season , being relatively shallow and not too challenging .
Excitement built as I arrived at the sea - in plenty of time luckily as there was a small element of kit faff . Even though I ’ d continued to dive throughout the winter , my full twinset set-up had what I would say was the odd niggle , and some last-minute adjustments had to be made , much to the amusement of my buddies . And talking of buddies , how fabulous to be reunited with my old muckers , many of whom I hadn ’ t seen since our last dives together in the autumn , or even earlier . I dared a hug or several . We shared baked goods in the grand tradition of “ I ’ ve missed you ; have some yummy treats ”.
Then on to the JEL . I was hoping to be reunited with another old friend at this well-known site . My last dive on the JEL had been at the end of September last year , and I had left the water reluctantly , being mesmerised by the rugged good looks of a rather large anglerfish . This particular handsome fella ( or female indeed - I wasn ’ t impolite enough to inspect last time ) is a regular feature on the JEL : I know this as I had compared photos and markings with a buddy and was thrilled to discover that this fish had been using the wreck as a hunting ground since at least 2016 . Would this king of fish still be there , I wondered ?
How could I lose a six-foot fish ? [ Albeit one skilled in the art of camouflage ] I located the exact spot I ’ d left him last time , but there was no sign . I revisited other favoured locations where other buddies had been blessed with an anglerfish audience previously , but no luck this time . I hoped desperately that he hadn ’ t been caught by an angler himself or otherwise fallen upon bad luck - perhaps he was taking his chances in deeper water for a ready meal and would greet me on my next JEL adventure .
So on to our next dip , at the Mewstone
“ How could I lose a sixfoot fish ?”
ledges . I haven ’ t yet pointed out to you that the viz was entirely superb , especially for early season diving , but now I will - it was great . The fabulous fingers of granite extended enticingly into the depths and it felt as if I could see for miles .
Believe it or not there was even an anglerfish hanging out – at around four foot long , not as eye-catching as my old friend , but still lovely to see . The stars of the show here though were crayfish , whose waving antennae seem so cheery . Without lobsters ’ feisty claws to defend themselves , crayfish and divers haven ’ t exactly been friends in the past , but now we divers are treating them with more deference and the crayfish have bounced back : a great success story .
I have seen the odd individual recently up as far as the Northernmost tips of Scotland but on the South Coast of England they are plentiful and a cheering sight . A dozen or so greeted me on the ledges , including a particularly picturesque foursome , which I thought I ’ d share with you . A great start to the diving season – long may it continue . �
Kirsty ’ s compensatory crayfish condo
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