Saddleback bream in the shallows
Andy snorkelling from the solar-powered Silent Yacht consider wearing thermal protection , extra gear , weight ( to compensate the thermal protection ) and more . But all this means that if you can dive in the UK , you can dive anywhere . And you ’ ll probably find it pretty easy when you get there .
This ease allows lots of capacity for other activities without task-loading . Tasks like photography , filming … or scootering !
We spent a few days on board the luxurious Silent Yacht , a new solar powered yacht , where not only the twin propellers were solar powered but so was the desalination system , cooker , lights , hot water , fridge and coffee machine . They gave me the opportunity to make use of the boat ’ s small DPV to scooter around the underwater vistas of the cave we had moored up on to grab some footage of the boat , myself and what lies beneath .
The laws in Mallorca , commendably , do not allow ships to drop anchor in anything other than sand to protect
reefs and seagrass . The white sand beneath the yacht reflected the copious sunlight , which only increased the sense of visibility and warmth . And the waters were not bereft of wildlife , with plenty of saddled sea bream . Urchins and starfish also lurked in the crevices of the small rocky outcrops .
Even an avowed UK diver / snorkeller such as myself has to admit that sometimes there ’ s nothing like a swim in warm blue water .
■ You can view this episode of the Fully Charged show at youtube . com / watch ? v = OyyDw9KuWWs �
For more information on snorkelling with BSAC go to bsac . com / snorkelling Looking to introduce snokelling into your club ? Find out more at bsac . com / snorkellinginstructor
Having done all my diving in the last few years in the UK or inland France , I haven ’ t been treated to the most impressive visibility . So it was glorious to be back somewhere I could not only see my hand in front of my face , but see someone else ’ s hand swimming well over 10 metres away .
Equally pleasing was the 24 ° C water temperature . Not for me the usual dress of multiple undersuit layer , drysuit and gloves . I didn ’ t even need a five-millimetre wetsuit . This time it was pants-only snorkelling .
Although UK diving and snorkelling can be incredible , it can also be hard . Our waters are relatively cold , lower in visibility , we have some big tides and unpredictable weather . We need to
Andy ’ s loaner DPV ’ s batteries were charged from the yacht ’ s solar power bank
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