UKDIVING
every two days we were diving remote sites which had likely never been seen by divers , and might not be seen again !
Fortunately , we brought what Bob said was ‘ the best weather of the season ’ and by day three we were punching out a considerable distance offshore , even if the divers and crew alike did feel every wave ( nautical and nauseous !). Diving Nun Rock , MV Manina , Sula Stack and North Shoal twice all in the space of four days was almost unheard of , and the self-appointed planning committee were testing the limits of what BSAC had envisioned with its ‘ Unknown Site ’ requirement for Dive Leader planning sign-offs .
Our diving team had a range of expertise in marine life , which helped support our involvement in BSAC ’ s Operation Oyster . We kept an eye out for any sightings and reported them on the BSAC website as frequently as the satellite internet would allow . As we were diving plenty of rare sites , we collected some unique datapoints – among a healthy
Returning to Stromness collection of saddle oyster sightings , we found evidence of native flat oysters on the Tabarka [ a blockship in Scapa Flow ].
The trip was a great success as strangers left the MV Clasina as friends with plans to dive together soon and we all had a much greater appreciation for what ‘ expeditionary ’ diving on our own coastline can offer . The appeal of chartering vessels
Sites and Positions
Nipple Rock 58 ° 54 ’ 14.810 ” N 3 ° 26 ’ 18.161 ” W
Eilean Nan Ron 58 ° 33 ’ 40.619 ” N 4 ° 20 ’ 43.058 ” W Nun Rock 58 ° 52 ’ 00.012 ” N 4 ° 58 ’ 00.012 ” W Bay of Kesgaig 58 ° 35 ’ 02.962 ” N 5 ° 01 ’ 24.424 ” W HMT Tern ( Suspected Site ) 58 ° 34 ’ 40.091 ” N 4 ° 35 ’ 32.050 ” W MV Manina 59 ° 01 ’ 23.606 ” N 4 ° 31 ’ 03.216 ” W Sula Stack 59 ° 01 ’ 23.923 ” N 4 ° 30 ’ 10.454 ” W North Shoal 59 ° 13 ’ 29.640 ” N 3 ° 34 ’ 49.861 ” W North Shoal 59 ° 12 ’ 55.231 ” N 3 ° 34 ’ 45.350 ” W Inga Ness ( 59.2703834 , -3.0158819 )
A shell , but not an oyster
like the MV Clasina as Vectis had done gave us all food for thought about reviving expeditionary diving post-Covid . This was especially true for many of us where our parent club activity revolves around training novices or simply getting members back into the water !
Anyone for Cape Wrath 2023 ? Keep an eye out on the BSAC website … �
■ For help planning expeditionary diving like this or more information on any upcoming trips , I cannot recommend Andy at VECTIS Expeditions highly enough …
Email : info @ vectisexpeditions . co . uk Web : www . vectisexpeditions . co . uk
Get involved
Operation Oyster is a BSAC-led initiative designed to engage members , divers and snorkellers in protecting and restoring the UK ’ s native oyster and its habitat .
The numbers of the UK native oyster ( Ostrea edulis ) have experienced a dramatic decline over the last 200 years due to pollution , habitat destruction and over-fishing . With Operation Oyster , BSAC aims to help identify and restore native oyster beds and ultimately increase the population around our shores .
For more information on Operation Oyster , future expeditions and other ways to get involved , go to bsac . com / operationoyster
39