Warm water escape in the Caribbean
The founding members were myself ; Harry Rowley ; John Downing ( our first Diving Officer ); Peter Jones ; Steve Perry , Peter Moore ; Andy Fowie , Adrian Marsland , and Tom Postin ( now living in Queensland Australia and also still diving ). In true diving tradition , we officially formed in an old Black Country pub over a pint of Banks Beer !
In that classic BSAC way , we developed our resources , training and financial management , all with guidance from HQ . Our first phase of recruitment focused on Thursday evenings in the local swimming pool . However , the key achievement of the founding members was to liaise with Dudley Council for access to nearby Netherton Reservoir for Saturday morning open water training . Having our own open water site was am amazing resource .
A passionate and fun team of instructors is the beating heart of the club . Here I must give a big thank you to Steve Bradbury – currently our Diving Officer – who many years ago was BSAC ’ s West Midlands Regional Coach . He took an interest in our club and provided the support and training we needed to become self-sufficient instructors working in the branch .
Thank you Steve for all those hours of pool work , instructor training and theory lessons at our social club on Thursday evenings . Steve always taught us to listen to our students and never to give up on them as they worked towards their qualifications . His secret ? Stay positive and make the training sessions fun .
Keeping active
Just like other BSAC clubs we love our trips , whether it be a spot of warm water luxury in the Red Sea , or expeditions to the corners of the United Kingdom . Our first real wreck diving trip to Scapa Flow was organised by Andy Fowie . As well as proving an amazing and fun experience , it really improved our wreck diving skills .
The most famous period in Dudley Nautilus ’ history is when we worked with Hamworthy SAC to survey the wreck of a 16th Century Spanish merchant ship in Studland Bay , Dorset . The wreck had been discovered in the Spring of 1984 by Hamworthy divers who were trying to free a fisherman ’ s net at the time . We joined them on a long term wreck project that ran from 1984 to 1992 , overseen by archaeological experts from Poole Museum and also from within Hamworthy SAC .
Working on the project , we improved our skills and attained new qualifications in boat handling , diver coxswain and underwater archaeology . I should mention the excellent work done in this period by Nicholas Schemanoff , our Communications
Officer and Tom Postin . These were very special diving years for me , diving with great guys like Adrian Marsland , Geoff Cox , Andy Moore and Steve Perry . For further information on the Studland Bay Wreck Project , go to poolemuseum . org . uk .
What ’ s next for Dudley Nautilus ? The future is positive , thanks to current committee members including our Chair Harry Rowley ; Diving Officer Steve Bradbury ; Club Secretary Ian Gay and Communications Officer Mark Smith . They are all working to keep the club going and to promote
On Skin Deeper , Portland Harbour
A club trip to Capernwray
fun , inclusive diving for all at Netherton Reservoir . I should also mention the work of Greg and Dawn , who tirelessly provide hot tea , coffee and bacon sandwiches in all weathers for divers to enjoy on Saturday mornings at Netherton Reservoir .
If any BSAC members would like to join us for a dive at Netherton , you will be most welcome . Please contact our Diving Officer Steve Bradbury at 07885 504070 , or approach us via our website dudleynautilus . co . uk . Our members will make you very welcome . �
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