In the 1980s we were involved in the search for a Spitfire that had ditched in Loch Doon , Scotland . We worked with many Northwest and Scottish clubs on this project , eventually finding the Spitfire , lifting it and delivering it to the Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum .
We have also carried out a few Seasearch dives off our own stretch of coast at Blackpool , with some revealing results in what had appeared to be a lifeless area . We very often get dolphins and seals as well , which makes for some interesting trips . We carried out many smaller projects over the years , including the recovery of balustrades from a bridge in one of our local parks for Blackpool Council ... anything for a bit of publicity !
Making diving fun has always been our aim , with many great dives and tales of what happened after the dive . One of our younger members was somehow locked in a pub for the night – heaven ! The stories of our social events are legendary , especially at dinners when we invited local clubs and had some of the BSAC Chairs and Diving Officers in attendance .
Over the years we have seen many marriages between members , myself included as I trained my future wife when she first joined . There were always a few raised eyebrows , as my lectures seemed to take a lot longer than usual . The tradition continues , as our Training Officer will be married in May to her fiancée , whom she taught to dive . All these unions have produced many offspring , hopefully some of whom will learn to dive in the future .
After 60 years , West Lancs ’ members maintain a passion for diving . We are happy to have some members who have learned with us and progressed to become active members taking up club positions , organising dives and becoming instructors .
Our aim this year is to celebrate our 60 years in as many ways as possible , the main event being a dinner in St Annes in October . We have already contacted many past members who will be attending the dinner , but if there are any SCUBA readers who are past members , you too are welcome to join us or perhaps share some memories of your time with the club . You can contact us by email at info @ bsac-153 . co . uk PETER HALL , Chair , West Lancashire SAC
Dave Plumb – 3000 not out
MY UNDERWATER JOURNEY STARTED in March 1973 , at the age of 27 , while serving with HM forces in Germany , having been enthralled by the adventures of Hans and Lotte Hass . No drysuits , BCDs and computers for me then , just a watch and depth gauge and what would be now be dated BSAC dive tables .
Viz was not great in those German quarries and reservoirs ; a buddy line was the norm . Sometimes I saw a fish , but I do remember lots of eels . During the heatwave of 1976 one reservoir had dropped by 30m and exposed the remains of a village and a completely intact three-arch stone bridge . That provided a great navigation exercise when the quarry filled up again . Back then , we did some expeditions to the Dutch coast and also the French Mediterranean , so it wasn ’ t all low viz .
Fast forward to November 2022 , and we have just run a branch trip for 24
Bob Durant a tribute
IT IS WITH DEEP REGRET THAT Eastleigh BSAC announces the death of Bob Durant , one of our oldest members , who passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday , 30 December , aged 70 . Bob had been a key figure in Eastleigh BSAC particularly through the 70s , 80s and 90s ; many older members will remember and treasure his experience , advice and companionship .
As the club ’ s Diving Officer for many years , he greatly expanded the number of dive sites and particularly wrecks that the club visited . His basic motto was , “ Never put off until tomorrow what you can dive today ”. Bob was also the only Eastleigh BSAC member ever to have achieved First Class diver status while a member of the club . Bob had suffered from multiple members of the Coventry and Monday club branches on the Emperor MV Superior , out from Hurghada , Egypt , doing the Get Wrecked Itinerary .
The plan was to do my 3000th dive in nice warm and clear water , but I missed out on three night dives , so fell short on the last day . Still , it saved me buying a round for all my dive buddies on the boat !
I ’ ve since been back to Lanzarote for the warm water diving , and have just completed my 3000th dive [ on 21 March ] with my branch buddies . That ’ s just over 2,420 hours or 100 days underwater .
There ’ s still lots of life in my old fins , so I ’ m hoping to do a few more before I hang them up . It ’ s been a long journey ; I have dived some wonderful locations and met some great people ; some of them are still happy to jump in with me . Long may it continue ... it ’ s not over yet ! DAVE PLUMB , Coventry and Monday Club BSAC
sclerosis since 2000 , and was confined to a wheelchair from 2006 , but his mind was always active and challenging . It is particularly poignant that he managed to attend the club ’ s recent 50th anniversary dinner , which he enjoyed immensely . For a great number of longstanding members , it is an end of an era . RIP Bob . GRAHAM WALTERS , Chair , Eastleigh BSAC
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