Inspiring the next generation
A GROUP OF CADETS FROM AN independent school , Worksop College , took the plunge recently with a try dive session coordinated by their local BSAC club .
The cadets , from Worksop College ’ s Combined Cadet Force ( CCF ), were offered the try dive experience as part of the school ’ s response to the negative impact of the pandemic . With mental health a priority , Worksop College has been supporting and encouraging pupils to challenge themselves through a range of out-of-school activities .
A former cadet himself , Open Water Instructor and Worksop BSAC member James Keightley said he jumped at the chance to work with the young cadets .
Having been diagnosed with PTSD as a former police officer , James knows all too well the importance of good mental wellbeing and credits the benefits of diving to his recovery .
James , who now works at Worksop College , explains . “ I ’ ve had a strong sense of adventure since a teenager and appreciate
term future for this rare species .
Organised by Operation Oyster coordinator , Andy Hunt , the week-long exped will be searching for remnant native oyster populations around Cape Wrath off the northwest coast of Scotland to support this data collection .
The Cape Wrath expedition will run from 27 August to 3 September and is in conjunction with Vectis Expeditions and Halton Charters . It is also being supported by Paralenz who have
James Keightley with his try diver
how much I benefited from cadet life and outdoor pursuits .
“ I am also passionate about diving and mental wellbeing , so I was really excited to be able to support and encourage pupils to experience diving for themselves .”
James , along with fellow Worksop BSAC instructor , Phil Brown and supported by the college ’ s head of CCF , Boyd Smith , also delivered a pre-try dive presentation to introduce the group to BSAC and diving in the UK .
The college reported that the event was a resounding success , with pupils saying how much they enjoyed it and would like to get involved in the sport .
“ The demand is so high that we will need to run try dives over several weeks and I am already thinking about how I can tap into the wide BSAC community to sustain this on a regular basis ,” added James .
Worksop BSAC instructor , Phil Brown
provided two of their Vaquita cameras to be used on all the expeditions .
For more information and to reserve your place on the Cape Wrath Operation Oyster expedition , go to bsac . com / events ( search by date to find the relevant expedition details ).
For more information on how else you can get involved in Operation Oyster , go to bsac . com / operationoyster .
Dive with
Jane
Diving Activities Group Lead Jane Maddocks presents an update on environmental initiatives
WE ARE BACK IN THE WATER , AND THERE seems to have been concerted efforts to get shake down and work up dives under our belts so that we can get on with doing what we love best in a healthy marine environment .
It takes hard work and commitment from members to identify challenges in the health of our seas . NDC members are involved in a range of activities that support our wish to have healthy seas .
Currently , there are three important initiatives that as NDC we would like to support , all of which will benefit the underwater environment .
The Department for Environment , Food and Rural Affairs ( DEFRA ) is developing a code aimed at minimising disturbance of marine wildlife . We are contributing evidence to make sure that the policy will be sound . BSAC members with relevant knowledge are contributing to the advice we will send to DEFRA .
Surfers Against Sewage ( SAS ) are going for the Million Mile Clean . Plastic pollution is a huge environmental issue . With SAS beach cleans , the type of litter is recorded . We are also seeing what plastic drinks bottles are most frequently found . SAS and MCS are doing great work on beach cleans . If you want to get involved , check out the BSAC website , where you will find safety advice for beach and underwater litter picks .
Finally , for some time BSAC members have been concerned about bottom trawling in Marine Protected Areas ( MPAs ), including Marine Conservation Zones . From 13 June 2022 , bottom trawling will be prohibited in four offshore Marine Protected Areas . This is a start . Thank you to all those BSAC members who helped make Defra aware of our real concerns about bottom trawling . We are working at a number of different levels to improve the environment , and NDC is focussed on making our diving practice as protective of the environment as we can make it .
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