Exeter divers clean up at Babs
TWO DIVERS FROM EXETER SUB-AQUA Club performed an impromptu clean-up during a recent pleasure dive, bringing up 3kg of lost fishing gear from the water.
Club members Charles Sheldrick and Derek Boustred were enjoying their low tide dive at Babbacombe breakwater when the discarded tackle caught their attention.
Charles said their haul started with just a small collection.“ It quickly escalated from there and in around 30 minutes we collected nearly 3kg of ghost gear,” he explained.“ We only stopped because the visibility was getting a bit difficult as we had stirred up the silt. But every lure, hook and bit of line removed is one less piece of trash in the sea.”
New rules for locator beacons
NEW MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN search and rescue response to incidents involving people with Personal Locator Beacons( PLBs) came into force on 15 April.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency( MCA) now requires registration of all current and new PLBs – online and at no cost – that are carried on board a UKflagged vessel, hovercraft or mechanically propelled watercraft, such as jet skis. When
Post-dive, the pair gave the fishing tackle that could be reused to a local fisherman, while the rest was sent for recycling. Exeter SAC’ s Marine Champion, Sally Richards, said the club has since been involved in another ghost fishing clean up.
“ On the following day, Nik, another
PLBs are discarded or change ownership, the new details must also be provided.
The change brings PLBs under regulations that have applied for 26 years to Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons( EPIRBs). When a registered PLB or EPIRB is activated, HM Coastguard can now use the details supplied, such as emergency contacts, to gain crucial information to support rescue efforts and send the best resources to help.
False alarms can be traced more efficiently too, keeping rescue teams on readiness for real emergencies and avoiding unnecessary missions into potentially dangerous conditions.
Exeter member, had to pause her lesson to disentangle a baby lobster that was cocooned in fishing line and would have otherwise starved to death,” she added.
For more information about becoming your club’ s Marine Champion, go to bsac. com / marinechampions
UK Distress & Security Beacon Registry Manager Linda Goulding said HM Coastguard will react to every beacon alert received.“ Registering your PLB helps us quickly work out when it’ s a false alarm with no one in danger, or to focus our resources when people are in real distress and need our help. Help us to help you.”
The registration requirement does not apply to PLBs on unpowered craft such as paddleboards, kayaks and canoes – although the MCA encourages all PLBs to be registered. For more information and to register a PLB or EPIRB with the UK Beacon Registry, visit www. gov. uk / register-406-beacons
Turn on, tune in, pull up
CLUBS CAN NOW BUY CUSTOMISED PULL-UP promotional banners from the BSAC Shop.
Following on from the recently launched UPVC banners, the new pull-ups are part of BSAC’ s ramp up of the promotional support on offer for its clubs.
The new pull-up banners are available in a choice of four designs which can be customised to include a club’ s name and contact details. Complete with base, they are a great way to attract the attention of potential new members.
Whether displayed in leisure centres, schools, clubhouses or on events, the banners are ideal for indoor use and can be turned around in 3-4 days. Each pull-up costs £ 75, including postage. For more information and to order, go to bsac. com / pullupbanner
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