Thanks to Humber RNLI
SUNDAY 14 MAY WAS GRIMSBY AND Cleethorpes ’ first sea dive of the season . All went well until we attempted to return . After a few minutes we lost the engine and all electronics , but luckily we had a handheld radio , so I made the call to Humber
Coastguard requesting assistance . We were around 27 miles out at sea at the time .
After a few hours the sight of the Humber lifeboat was welcome indeed – they gave us food and hot drinks , then towed us back to Grimsby Marina . It had been an eventful but long day for the members , having started at our Cleethorpes boat house at 10am , then arrived home around midnight .
The next day we had to retrieve our RIB from Grimsby marina . There was no slipway , so they had to lift the RIB onto our trailer . We took it straight for repair , where it emerged it had been the alternator that failed . There was nothing that could have done to prevent the breakdown . I ’ ve sent a message of thanks to Humber Lifeboat coxswain and crew , because I sincerely believe without our RNLI we would probably not venture out to sea as we do . PETER RODGER , Grimsby and Cleethorpes No 37
Teeside ’ s Diver of the Year
JAKE WEEDALL , OUR YOUNGEST CLUB member , has not just completed his Ocean Diver training ; he has also just been awarded the Teesside BSAC ’ s Diver of the Year award . Teesside 43 Diving Officer Mick Finnigan and Training Officer John Miller both agree that Jake has been quite inspirational through his pool training ; his enthusiasm is infectious .
Jake won ’ t mind telling us that the thought of taking off and clearing his mask in a cold Capernwray played on his thoughts a little , and it did take him a few attempts to crack that skill . But the largest grin of the day came when he realised it was a task he had completed many times in the pool , and he simply needed to get on with it .
Jake is keen to progress into the instructing side of diving , like his father and sister , who are also valuable and active club members . Well done , Jake ! JOHN MILLER , Teeside BSAC 43
George Skuse returns to Cotswold BSAC
ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT BSAC diving is the incredible history and achievements of the many branches . In March , Cotswold BSAC 332 held our annual dinner and awards evening , made extra special this year as we were joined by one our branch ’ s founding members , George Skuse . He was there to personally present his Progress Award for the very first time , having established it in 1981 .
Considering he remained diving for 10 years following the introduction of the award , it surprised many of us that this was
A tribute to Sid Gibbs
IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS THAT WE announce one of Coventry ’ s veteran divers is no longer with us . Sid Gibbs passed away peacefully in hospital on 19 April , aged 92 .
Sid started to learn to dive on 1 September 1972 , battling his way through what was then the BSAC swimming ‘ A ’ Test . He then moved through the Snorkel Diver grade and eventually attained what was then 3rd Class Diver in July 1973 , with the help of a band of enthusiastic branch members .
He was busy as our Social Secretary over a period of four years , organising numerous dinner dances , some of which involved outlandish fancy dress costumes . He also served as Diving Officer from 1979 to 1980 , then took over as Chair for two further years . Sid dived extensively at all of our local sites , back the first occasion at which he had personally presented it . However , George was always a busy man , travelling the world diving , instructing and writing material for BSAC . His stories were many and entertaining , and really emphasised how capturing the history of our branches is incredibly important .
I had been particularly looking forward to finding out the provenance of the porthole mounted on George ’ s award ; it turned out that “ a market in Birmingham ” was the answer ! CRAIG GIBSON , Cotswold BSAC 332 Chair
when Stoney Cove had a £ 1.00 entry fee !
He took part in organising UK trips from Orkney to the western reaches of Cornwall , as well as to Ireland and the club ’ s first Red Sea visit , in 1981 . He finally hung up his fins in 2000 , but remained active , taking a flight in a Spitfire for his 90th birthday .
Sid will be sadly missed by all who knew him . Our thoughts go out to his wife Margaret , his son Barrie and daughter Karen . DAVE PLUMB , Coventry BSAC 58
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