Following in on from the 1 Star course I have now arranged for a full weekend for 12 people to complete the 2 Star course. Over the weekend Wet And High Adventures will put us through even more skills using 2 different types of kayaks/canoes. The venue will be decided nearer the time, but be sure we will be getting wet and having a laugh.

Full details to come

For a bit of winter fun whilst we are waiting for the dive season to get going again I have arranged with Wet And High Adventures, http://www.wetandhigh.co.uk
for a bit more kayaking. For those who have been on the Forumhttp://forum.somersetdivers.co.uk/buddy-talk/topic7624.html
or on Facebook you may have seen that Somerset Divers had a staff day out at Brixham sitting on top of the water rather than underneath it. We took our 1 Star qualification in kayaking, an excellent day out and certainly a good laugh. It’s not too difficult we all managed to pass !
So I have managed to book another 6 places (1 Place left) for Sunday January 8th, venue to be decided probably inland waters, at only �45 per place. Following that I have then managed to book 12 places (2 Places left) for the weekend for the 2 Star qualification on the weekend of 21st and 22nd January for only �80. Some of us have already booked on this one, so just 8 places left.
Gwilym at Wet And High Adventures will supply all the kit. But you have to bring the sense of humour.
As usual first come first served.
Email me to reserve your place

Following the brilliant trip we have just returned from, diving with sharks in the Red Sea, I am now looking ahead to 2011 to book a similar trip. I would like to be able to secure the whole boat again so I need to be quick to ensure this.

A few details for you of the last trip, 24 of us travelled to the Red Sea with Blue O2 for a week on a superb liveaboard, Blue Melody, diving the outer reefs looking for sharks, we didn’t have to look too hard silky sharks would appear under the boat on most dives. There were sightings of 11 hammerheads and thresher sharks along with reef sharks. There were some superb photos taken, some of which are on the website,http://www.somersetdivers.co.uk/gallery/1-ken-fanson/25-red-sea-shark-special-2010.htm along with plenty of video which has yet to come in. We were treated to a talk everyday from the resident shark expert Elke on how to react with the sharks about and the way they are being killed for shark fining and the like. The crew were excellent as was the food. I did not receive one complaint from anyone, which says a lot for the standard on the boat.

So the next adventure, the trip will be from Friday 18th November – Friday 25th November 2011, aboard the liveaboard Blue Horizon, travelling the same itinerary “Simply the Best”, the cost of the trip is �1049 each. There are 26 places on the boat, as a booking agent for Blue O2, if I book 10 people on I receive 1 free place, 20 people 2 free places. These places I will put back in to reduce the cost of the trip which will bring it down to �970. A deposit of �270 is required on booking. Flights are from Gatwick to Hurghada, with about a 10 minute transfer to the boat and returning to Hurghada and a flight back to Gatwick.

You will need to be a PADI Advanced Diver or equivalent with 50 logged dives, but as any of those who went this year the diving is not too difficult and the guides on the boat are always ready to join you should you need their assistance.

To find out more about Blue O2 go tohttp://www.blueotwo.com/index.cfm
To find out more about Blue Horizonhttp://www.blueotwo.com/my_blue_horizon.htm
To find out more about the itinerary go tohttp://www.blueotwo.com/red_seaitineraries.cfm?itid=4
I will be holding a first birthday party for Somerset Divers on the Friday 30th July at The Lamb at Weare, Nr Axbridge and I would like to have bookings in with deposit cheques payable to Blue O2 by this date. If you would like to find out more about the trip email me or come along to the evening and speak to some of those who went on the last one.

As I have said there are only 26 places, book early to ensure your place they will go fast again.

Scalloping trip to West Bay on board Huntress, one dive, �16 direct to the skipper. Leaving West Bay at 7pm. Depth approx 25m. You will need to be Advanced Open Water with DSMB and collecting bag and torches.

No guided dives

This is the rescheduled trip from July this year.

In 2010 we stayed with Atlantic Diver in Newquay for 3 days of diving and 3 nights of B&B. The accommodation was bunk house style, with an excellent breakfast to start the day. The diving was from a spacious catamaran with tail lift.

There will be 2 dives per day, hopefully on wrecks, but as this is the north coast it is very weather dependent. The clarity of the water and colours on the reefs were stunning. And amazingly the price will remain the same as last year, �250. This includes all 6 dives, 3 nights B&B and a packed lunch each day. Air is paid for direct at the end. Remember this is a prime holiday spot in the summer, so this is an excellent price.

You will need to be an Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent, with 2 tanks and DSMB. There are 12 available places, 7 have already gone. We will travel down on the sunday, hopefully sharing lifts, checkout Newquay Sunday evening, then B&B, up bright and early for 2 dives on Monday, possibly a meal out in the evening or even a BBQ at Atlantic Divers, then off for another 2 dives on Tuesday and same again Wednesday and then travel home .

I will be on the boat, so if you want an accompanied dive, no problem and no extra charge.

Scalloping trip to West Bay on board Huntress, one dive, �16 direct to the skipper. Leaving West Bay at 7pm. Depth approx 25m. You will need to be Advanced Open Water with DSMB and collecting bag and torches.

No guided dives

A new venture for 2011, Somerset Divers will be heading for Weymouth to dive from Divetime, a large catamaran with tail lift and plenty of room.
The first dive is planned to be a wreck dive, it may be possible to dive the M2, a submarine sank in the Second World War. The second dive will be a reef/drift dive, no doubt with some scalloping involved.

You will need to be an Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent, with 2 tanks and DSMB. There are 12 available places. Times to be arranged.
I will be on the boat with another instructor, so if you want an accompanied dive, no problem and no extra charge.

You will need to be an Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent, with 2 tanks and DSMB. There are 12 available places. Times to be arranged.

I will be on the boat with another instructor, so if you want an accompanied dive, no problem and no extra charge.

THE CORONATION WRECK TREASURE HUNT
I have been able to put together a weekend, 10th -11th September, diving the Coronation Wreck at Plymouth with the help of The Project Team.http://www.somersetdivers.co.uk/the-coronation-wreck.htm

The Team have had a magnetometer survey done of the site and there are about 100 different hits to be checked out.

The plan is to assist in the archaeological work by diving some of the magnetometer hits around the Coronation and identify whether they are part of the wreck or not.
I have chartered “Top Gun” as a dive boat for the weekend working from Mountbatten at Plymouth, a member of The Project Team will be on board to direct operations along with myself and another instructor to assist with your diving. There will be no guided dives due to the work involved. (twin sets not recommended due to space on boat).

The first dive will be on the Coronation site where you will see the work that has been carried out and the cannons in the area.

For the second dive we will split into groups of 4, each group diving a mag hit to identify it and make a small search of the surrounding area. If you believe the hit is part of the wreck you will record details, possibly photograph it, for later work.

Day 2 and the first dives will be more mag hits.
The final dive will be swimming from the best mag hits back towards the wreck site to see what else you can find and record it.

So as you can see there are lot of personal skills you will need for the work, happy to work a bit further away from your buddy than usual, navigation skills, confident with DSMB deployment, search patterns, good buoyancy skills, photography. You will need 2 tanks, DSMB, be PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent.
The whole area is part of the protected site and you will need a licence to dive it, which the team will organise, the area has not been dived so you just don’t know what you will find, treasure, possibly but I’m afraid you will not be bringing it up. Stu and I were lucky enough to find an anchor the other day which had not been seen since the Coronation sank in 1691.

Accommodation, I have been able to get hold of a self catering bunkhouse in Princetown on Dartymoor 25 mins away for just �10 (based on 12 divers) a night, a bit basic but that’s why it’s �10, alternatively there is plenty of B&Bs around Mountbatten.

The total cost of the diving for the 2 days will be �120 (Does not include B&B) and at least 4 dives. Once you have booked your place payment you will be responsible for the payment as your name will go onto the licence to dive the site and is non-transferable. Airfills will be available at Mountbatten.

There are 12 places each day

First come first served, email me.

Scalloping trip to West Bay on board Huntress, one dive, �16 direct to the skipper. Leaving West Bay at 7pm. Depth approx 25m. You will need to be Advanced Open Water with DSMB and collecting bag and torches.

No guided dives

2 dives with the seals out on Lundy Island aboard Obsession 2, the catamaran with tail lift out of Ilfracombe.

There will be 2 dives with the seals on the Island
You will need to be an Open Water Diver or equivalent, with 2 tanks and DSMB. There are 14 available places. Times to be arranged.

I will be on the boat with another instructor, so if you want an accompanied dive, no problem and no extra charge.

This is a great dive for the newly qualified diver or the experienced one who love the interaction with the seals.

More 5 star diving at Poole on board Rocket, with the excellent service we received through 2010 of bacon butties, BBQ lunch and hot drinks, followed by the luxury of possibly a third dive looking for those elusive seahorses.
The first dive is planned to be a wreck dive, the second dive will be a reef/drift dive, no doubt with some scalloping involved.
You will need to be an Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent, with 2 tanks and DSMB. There are 12 available places. Times to be arranged.
I will be on the boat with another instructor, so if you want an accompanied dive, no problem and no extra charge.

Scalloping trip to West Bay on board Huntress, one dive, �16 direct to the skipper. Leaving West Bay at 7pm. Depth approx 25m. You will need to be Advanced Open Water with DSMB and collecting bag.

No guided dives

Due to the massive demand I have been able to secure another trip to Lundy Island to dive with the seals on board Obsession 2 and now Obsession 1 as well.

You only need to be an Open Water Diver, you will need 2 tanks and DSMB, a camera is also a must have item.

There are 27 available places. Times to be arranged.
2 instructors will be on each boat , so if you want an accompanied dive, no problem and no extra charge.

Scalloping trip to West Bay on board Huntress, one dive, �16 direct to the skipper. Leaving West Bay at 7pm. Depth approx 25m. You will need to be Advanced Open Water with DSMB and collecting bag.

No guided dives

2 dives with the seals out on Lundy Island aboard Obsession 1, out of Ilfracombe.
There will be 2 dives with the seals on the Island
You will need to be an Open Water Diver or equivalent, with 2 tanks and DSMB. There are 12 available places. Times to be arranged.
I will be on the boat with another instructor, so if you want an accompanied dive, no problem and no extra charge.

Scalloping trip to West Bay on board Huntress, one dive, �16 direct to the skipper. Leaving West Bay at 7pm. Depth approx 25m. You will need to be Advanced Open Water with DSMB and collecting bag.

No guided dives

In 2010 we stayed with Atlantic Diver in Newquay for 3 days of diving and 3 nights of B&B. The accommodation was bunk house style, with an excellent breakfast to start the day. The diving was from a spacious catamaran with tail lift.

There will be 2 dives per day, hopefully on wrecks, but as this is the north coast it is very weather dependent. The clarity of the water and colours on the reefs were stunning. And amazingly the price will remain the same as last year, �250. This includes all 6 dives, 3 nights B&B and a packed lunch each day. Air is paid for direct at the end. Remember this is a prime holiday spot in the summer, so this is an excellent price.

You will need to be an Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent, with 2 tanks and DSMB. There are 12 available places, 7 have already gone. We will travel down on the sunday, hopefully sharing lifts, checkout Newquay Sunday evening, then B&B, up bright and early for 2 dives on Monday, possibly a meal out in the evening or even a BBQ at Atlantic Divers, then off for another 2 dives on Tuesday and same again Wednesday and then travel home .

I will be on the boat, so if you want an accompanied dive, no problem and no extra charge.

Scalloping trip to West Bay on board Huntress, one dive, �16 direct to the skipper. Leaving West Bay at 7pm. Depth approx 25m. You will need to be Advanced Open Water with DSMB and collecting bag.

No guided dives

Scalloping trip to West Bay on board Huntress, one dive, �16 direct to the skipper. Leaving West Bay at 7pm. Depth approx 25m. You will need to be Advanced Open Water with DSMB and collecting bag.

No guided dives

Back to an old favourite, 2 dives with the seals out on Lundy Island aboard Obsession 1, out of Ilfracombe.
There will be 2 dives with the seals on the Island
You will need to be an Open Water Diver or equivalent, with 2 tanks and DSMB. There are 12 available places. Times to be arranged.

I will be on the boat with another instructor, so if you want an accompanied dive, no problem and no extra charge.

This is ideal for newly qualified divers or experienced divers who just love the wildlife experience.

Due to the massive response to dive with the seals I have managed to charter Obsession 1 and 2, both boats are now full and a waiting list has started. 27 lucky divers will be heading for Lundy. It could be because of the recent Britains Secret Seas programme or because it is Lundy's Marine Reserve 40th birthday either way it is going to be a great day. We just need playful seals and fine weather.

There will be 2 dives with the seals on the Island
You will need to be an Open Water Diver or equivalent, with 2 tanks and DSMB. Times to be arranged.

2 instructors will be on each boat, so if you want an accompanied dive, no problem and no extra charge.

If you require kit hire for the trip I have several sets at �35 for full kit for the day plus �4.50 per air fill.

Cheques in full at the time of booking the trip, payable to Somerset Divers, 23 Labourham Way, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3 XJ. If cheques not received within 1 week, your place will be re-advertised.

This is strictly first come first served, so email me back at somersetdivers@hotmail.co.uk

Scalloping trip to West Bay on board Huntress, one dive, �16 direct to the skipper. Leaving West Bay at 7pm. Depth approx 25m. You will need to be Advanced Open Water with DSMB and collecting bag.

No guided dives

Back to an old favourite, 2 dives with the seals out on Lundy Island aboard Obsession 2, the large catamaran with tail lift out of Ilfracombe.
There will be 2 dives with the seals on the Island
You will need to be an Open Water Diver or equivalent, with 2 tanks and DSMB. There are 14 available places. Times to be arranged.
I will be on the boat with another instructor, so if you want an accompanied dive, no problem and no extra charge.

Ok the time has come to give you details of the first dive on The Coronation Wreck. Saturday 4th June out of Bovisand on Red Alert. This will be 2 dives, hopefully on the wreck, but this cannot be promised due to the weather and the currents. You will need to be Advanced Open Water or equivalent, with DSMB and 2 tanks. The cost of the dives will be �60. There will be no guided dives as such although I will be on the boat with another instructor for anyone requiring a buddy. Tanks and kit hire available. �35 for a full set which includes 2 tanks, or �5 a tank, tanks must be returned full, you can obtain an airfill at Bovisand. Be prepared to have some fun and do some work hopefully on an exciting site.

Strict rules apply to this one. If you put your name down you have to pay immediately and it is none refundable as a licence has to be obtained for you in advance and this is not transferable. I will need your full name, qualification and contact phone number. On the day we may be checked by English Heritage so bring some ID to show that you are on the licence.

The money will be refunded if the dive is cancelled due to the weather.

On the dive nothing must be touched, disturbed, moved or removed from the site. If you find something that you think is not known about, please note its position and inform The Project. Do not try to recover anything yourselves. Even if it looks modern, it must remain on site. It should be noted by all divers that English Heritage will prosecute divers who flout the law. Please do not put yourself or allow any of your group to put you in this position. I will be the lead diver on the dive and it will be my responsibility to make sure everyone complies, I wish to return several times to the site so rest assured I will comply with the rules.

After the dive, diver report forms must be completed by each diver pair. A diver report must be filled in for each individual dive.

Photography is permitted and welcomed on site. But a copy of every photograph taken is required in Jpeg format, on a CD, with your completed post dive forms.
The Project reserve the right to publish and use any photographs taken.Each diver pair are required to fill out their own post dive form.

All post dive forms and photographs need to be returned to The Project within 14 days of the dive.
At the end of the dives, to assist The Project with funding, I will be asking for a couple of quid as a donation.

Email me at somersetdivers@hotmail.co.uk

Back to the 5 star diving at Poole on board Rocket, with the excellent service we received through 2010 of bacon butties, BBQ lunch and hot drinks, followed by the luxury of possibly a third dive looking for those elusive seahorses.
The first dive is planned to be a wreck dive, the second dive will be a reef/drift dive, no doubt with some scalloping involved.
You will need to be an Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent, with 2 tanks and DSMB. There are 12 available places. Times to be arranged.
I will be on the boat with another instructor, so if you want an accompanied dive, no problem and no extra charge.

As you may now know this is the date of William and Kate's big day and as I haven't had an invite I will be diving on a new venture for 2011, Somerset Divers will be heading for Weymouth to dive from Divetime, a large catamaran with tail lift and plenty of room.

It may be possible to dive the WWII wreck of the M2 submarine. The second dive will be a reef/drift dive, no doubt with some scalloping involved.
You will need to be an Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent, with 2 tanks and DSMB. There are 12 available places. Times to be arranged.

I will be on the boat with another instructor, so if you want an accompanied dive, no problem and no extra charge.

The plan was a training day for different courses out of Meadfoot Beach Torquay diving around East Shag Rock. The tides were right for an early start and with predicted wall to wall sunshine for the day you could guarantee that all the usual dive sites would be full.

Ok the time has come to give you details of the first dive on The Coronation Wreck. Saturday 2nd April out of Bovisand on Red Alert. This will be 2 dives, hopefully on the wreck, but this cannot be promised due to the weather and the currents. You will need to be Advanced Open Water or equivalent, with DSMB and 2 tanks. The cost of the dives will be �60. There will be no guided dives as such although I will be on the boat with another instructor for anyone requiring a buddy. There are only 10 places left, so as usual first come first served. Tanks and kit hire available. �35 for a full set which includes 2 tanks, or �5 a tank, tanks must be returned full, you can obtain an airfill at Bovisand. Be prepared to have some fun and do some work hopefully on an exciting site.

Strict rules apply to this one. If you put your name down you have to pay immediately and it is none refundable as a licence has to be obtained for you in advance and this is not transferable. I will need your full name, qualification and contact phone number. On the day we may be checked by English Heritage so bring some ID to show that you are on the licence.

The money will be refunded if the dive is cancelled due to the weather.

On the dive nothing must be touched, disturbed, moved or removed from the site. If you find something that you think is not known about, please note its position and inform The Project. Do not try to recover anything yourselves. Even if it looks modern, it must remain on site. It should be noted by all divers that English Heritage will prosecute divers who flout the law. Please do not put yourself or allow any of your group to put you in this position. I will be the lead diver on the dive and it will be my responsibility to make sure everyone complies, I wish to return several times to the site so rest assured I will comply with the rules.

After the dive, diver report forms must be completed by each diver pair. A diver report must be filled in for each individual dive.

Photography is permitted and welcomed on site. But a copy of every photograph taken is required in Jpeg format, on a CD, with your completed post dive forms.
The Project reserve the right to publish and use any photographs taken.Each diver pair are required to fill out their own post dive form.

All post dive forms and photographs need to be returned to The Project within 14 days of the dive.
At the end of the dives, to assist The Project with funding, I will be asking for a couple of quid as a donation.

Email me at somersetdivers@hotmail.co.uk

Due to several requests I can now offer another trip to the Red Sea, this time on board the Blue O2 luxury liveaboard Blue Horizon. This trip will be on the wrecks and reefs of the Northern Red Sea and is suitable for Open Water Divers with about 30 logged dives. For those who have yet to go the Red Sea, the water is clear and warm with an abundance of tropical fish. The Red Sea is one of the places most divers will visit. The wrecks and reefs are fantastic to dive. You will complete 3 dives most days.

I will also be going on the trip, so if you are unsure of how things run on a liveaboard or want to be accompanied on your dives, I will be more than happy to help although the dive guides on board are excellent.

To see more details of the trip have a look at the Blue O2 website www.blueotwo.com.

In april 2009 I used the Blue Horizon boat and I can say that the crew, service and accommodation were excellent and well worth the money.

As an agent for Blue O2 I can offer a discount, so that if we book 10 places we get one place free, 20 places and 2 go free. If that happens I will pay those places back in to reduce the price of the holiday. A deposit of �225 is required at the time of booking this is non-refundable.

Please email me for further details or any questions you may have. somersetdivers@hotmail.co.uk

The skipper of Divetime at Weymouth is back up on his feet and I have provisionally booked a trip with him for Sunday 7th November, this is short notice but looking at the weather there may not be many trips left now, so if you want to top up your freezer with scallops for xmas. 2 Dives a wreck and a scalloping/drift/reef dive special end of season price of �55. I will be on board with another instructor should you want an accompanied dive. You will need to be PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent with DSMB and 2 tanks. Should you require kit hire I have a full set with 2 tanks at �35, plus �4 per air fill or tanks returned full.

Divetime is a large catamaran with taillift.
First come first served, but I need to know before this Saturday to confirm this booking. Times to be confirmed. 10 places available. Email me asap.

I have been offered 4 places on a boat with Discovery Divers out of Bovisand, Plymouth, this Friday for 2 dives cost �40. Down there for about 9am, time to be confirmed.

The dives will probably be reef/drift dives rather than wreck. You will need to be an Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent with a DSMB and 2 tanks. I am able to offer kit hire at �35 for a full set which includes 2 tanks, with �4 per air fill or returned full.

I am on the boat but will be going purely for pleasure and photography, so no guided dives.

If you want a place get back to me asap.

I have managed to find a new boat for a scalloping dive on a Tuesday evening in a new location and arranged for the first trip on Tuesday 19th October, looks like leaving Weymouth at 4.30pm, time to be confirmed. You will need to be Advanced Open Water or equivalent with DSMB and torch and the usual collecting back. Cost of the trip is �15 for one dive.

The boat is a catamaran with tail lift, here is a link to the boathttp://www.divetime.info/ it looks really good. It takes the same amount of time to get there as it does to West Bay

.
Email me back asap as I need to confirm the boat with the skipper.

The final dive trip of the year to Lundy Island, to dive with the seals.

Sorry the trip is already full, but I will start a reserve list.

I have organised another scalloping trip on board Huntress out of West Bay. An earlier start for this one, 6pm the boat will leave, with or without you. �15 direct to the skipper for one dive. This will be a night dive. You will need a DSMB, torches and obviously a collecting bag. You must be Advanced Open Water or equivalent, proficient at night diving and lifting scallops of the bottom!

Some places already gone, so book early, email me back.

I have organised another scalloping trip on board Huntress out of West Bay. 7pm the boat will leave, with or without you. �15 direct to the skipper for one dive. This will be a night dive. You will need a DSMB, torches and obviously a collecting bag. You must be Advanced Open Water or equivalent, proficient at night diving and lifting scallops of the bottom!

Some places already gone, so book early, email me back.

The final dive trip of the year to Lundy Island, to dive with the seals.

Sorry the trip is already full, but I will start a reserve list.

I have organised another scalloping trip on board Huntress out of West Bay. 7pm the boat will leave, with or without you. �15 direct to the skipper for one dive. You will need a DSMB, torches and obviously a collecting bag. You must be Advanced Open Water or equivalent, proficient at night diving and lifting scallops of the bottom!

7 places already gone, so book early.

I have managed to provisionally book The Evert,http://www.diving-fish.com/index.php a charter diving boat for a 3 day trip to the Scilly Isles for the evening of Thursday 2nd September returning on the evening of Sunday 5th September.

There are 10 places left, accommodation is in 2 x 3 bunk and 1 x six bunk rooms. Showers and toilets on board. There are 2 dives per day usually on wrecks at 20m +, so this trip is open to Advanced Open Water divers and above or equivalent . DSMB and one tank required as air is available on board.

Breakfast and lunch is included and evening meals are available on shore in local pubs etc. The cost of the trip is �252 with a deposit of �50 being required. I will be on board with another member of staff should you require assistance or guided dives, at no extra charge.

The boat is 24m long built for off shore work, there is also a 4.5m RIB working from the Evert as a safety boat. Email me back as soon as poosible to secure your place.

Following the success of the trip to Poole last weekend I have managed to get another date from Trevor.

Saturday August 28th, Bank Holiday weekend, I have booked Rocket out of Poole again, this time following the welcome of a bacon butty as we board, we will be heading off to dive the Black Hawk, the bow part, which is in 18m of water.

http://www.divernet.com/Wrecks/100_best ... wk_33.html
It will then be a BBQ lunch, but you have to catch it first rods supplied, last week we had fresh mackerel backed up with a few sausages and bacon.

Then onto the second dive scalloping/drift dive. All being well we can then have a third dive looking for those elusive seahorses, but this dive is not gauranteed.

You will need to be Advanced Open Water, with 2 tanks and a DSMB, also a collecting bag for those scallops! and may be a lifting bag if you want lots of them.
I will be on the boat with another instructor, Stu if he is allowed out to play this time. So if you want a buddy or assisted dive we will be there at no extra charge.
Don't hang around, places will go quick. Payment in full at the time of booking.

To reserve your place email me at somersetdivers@hotmail.co.uk

I have arranged for a single scalloping dive on board Huntress 11 out of Westbay for Tuesday 17th August, cost �15 direct to the skipper. The boat leaves at 7pm sharp no waiting around. You need to be advanced open water or equivalent with DSMB and a collecting bag !!
Only 12 places first come first served.
Email me back

Yes cage diving with blue sharks off the Cornish Coast.

I have put together a package for next August of a 3 day diving trip to Newquay of 2 days diving and a one day of cage diving with sharks, 2 nights’ accommodation with B&B and lunch, at a very special price of just �220, remember this is also tourist season time, so these are really good prices.

The details, the trip is from Monday 9th August arrive at Newquay for a 2 dive trip on a hard boat with Atlantic Diver of Newquay,http://www.atlanticdiver.co.uk/index.php followed by B&B in their log cabins, bunkhouse style accommodation. For you surfers out there it is only 5 minutes from the beach. Apparently for the evening there is also a 10% discount at a local pub just one minute walk away!

Tuesday 10th August is shark diving from the same boat, this is by snorkel in a cage about 20 miles of the coast. Lunch is also provided. Remember this is the time for basking sharks as well and dolphins are often seen. Back for B&B, oh and probably the pub again..

Wednesday 11th a 2 dive trip out on the boat again. Lunch is provided and then home.

For the diving you will need to be PADI advanced Open Water or equivalent, 2 tanks and a DSMB.

This is limited to just 12 spaces and I will need a deposit of �30 before November 15th. As usual this is strictly first come first served. Contact me by email at somersetdivers@hotmail.co.uk or by phone 07837614004.

One dive on board Huntress 2 leaving West Bay at 7pm. �15 direct to the skipper. The object of the dive is just collecting scallops. You will need to be an Advanced Open Water Diver or equivilent with DSMB and a big collecting bag. Preferably a lift bag as well.
No assisted or guided dives. Kit available for hire if required.

Due to popular demand I have managed to book another trip to Lundy for 2010 to dive with the seals, but 10 places have already gone. This is on Monday 26th July, leaving from Ilfracombe at about 8.30am, on board "Obsession". The cost I have held at the same as last year.

This trip is suitable for newly qualified divers and above.

I will be on board for the trip with Stuart, so if you wish to have an accompanied dive you can join us at no extra charge. If you wish to complete a course on the day, let me know in advance to see what we can arrange.

This is strictly on a first come first served basis. Your place will be confirmed by email and then you have 7 days to send your cheque for the full amount payable to Somerset Divers, at 23 Labourham way, Cheddar, Somerset. BS27 3XJ. If the cheque is not received in that time your place will be cancelled and automatically go to the next person on the list. The cheques will not be cashed until just before the trip.

email me at somersetdivers@hotmail.co.uk

Another trip to Lundy for 2010 to dive with the seals. This is on Friday 9th July, leaving from Ilfracombe at about 8.30am, on board "Obsession". The cost I have held at the same as last year.

This trip is suitable for newly qualified divers and above.

I will be on board for the trip with Stuart, so if you wish to have an accompanied dive you can join us at no extra charge. If you wish to complete a course on the day, let me know in advance to see what we can arrange. This is strictly on a first come first served basis. Your place will be confirmed by email and then you have 7 days to send your cheque for the full amount payable to Somerset Divers, at 23 Labourham way, Cheddar, Somerset. BS27 3XJ. If the cheque is not received in that time your place will be cancelled and automatically go to the next person on the list. The cheques will not be cashed until just before the trip.

email me at somersetdivers@hotmail.co.uk

As you know the I organised a trip for a small group in April 2009 for a week with Blue O2 on the motor yacht Horizon, diving sites in the Southern Red Sea.
Some of the encounters we had with sharks were amazing. Pictures can be seen on the gallery page. For those of you who have been to the Red Sea before and been put off by the conveyor belts of daytrip divers pouring off the boats, this trip was different. No day trip boats in sight, the dive sights are too far out for them to reach.

As this trip was so good I have already put together details for a similar, but improved trip for 2010. We spoke to the dive guide on the boat, who is Dr Elke Bojanowski a biologist who initiated the study of sharks in the Red Sea, to find out the best time to visit to see sharks, mantas and whale sharks. She advised us to organise a trip for early June and to use an even better boat in the fleet, Blue Melody. The itinerary is similar but with a greater emphasis on education on the sharks

The link to the Blue O2 itinerary.http://www.blueotwo.com/red_seaitineraries.cfm

The link for Blue Melody ishttp://www.blueotwo.com/my_blue_melody.htm

The trip is from Friday 11th June 2010 – Friday 18th June 2010 at a cost of �999. This price can be reduced if we have 10 places we receive 1 free place, or 20 places we receive 2 free places. By putting these places back in to the price it can be reduced by �100 per person. There are places for 24 on the boat. I am a booking agent for Blue O2 and if we fill the boat I am entitled to a further 3% if I fill the boat, which can be further used to reduce the price. So fill the boat and the end price could be about �900 for a week all in, except for alcohol and suggested tips on a luxury motor yacht.
You have to be an PADI advanced diver, or equivalent with 50 logged dives.

Please email me to book a place. If you are not a PADI advanced diver or want any further training I can arrange this for you.

A brand new dive location for Somerset Divers this year. I have booked a new catamaran called Rocket out of Poole Harbour. I looked over the boat the other day and it is excellent, tail lift, plenty of room on deck and in the cabin, toilet and believe it or not a shower!! It then gets better, lunch is provided in between dives, a BBQ if weather permits, you can also fish between dives and the skipper will put your catch straight on the BBQ for you. Oh and the diving looks good as well.

2 dives, one a wreck and the other probably a reef drift dive. This is for Advanced Open Water Divers or equivalent, 2 tanks and a DSMB required.

I will be on board with another member of staff so if you want an accompanied dive you are welcome to join us at no extra charge.

This is strictly on a first come first served basis. Your place will be confirmed by email and then you have 7 days to send your cheque for the full amount payable to Somerset Divers, at 23 Labourham way, Cheddar, Somerset. BS27 3XJ. If the cheque is not received in that time your place will be cancelled and automatically go to the next person on the list. The cheques will not be cashed until just before the trip.

Should you wish to treat your other half to a bit of luxury spa treatment, while you are out diving, I have linked up with Lush in Poole so that they can have a luxury facial or synaesthesia massage at a very reasonable price, for you ignorant chaps out there, Lush is a smelly soap shop which is rather well known

email me at somersetdivers@hotmail.co.uk

Due to a cancellation I have been offered the boat Obssession, from Ilfracombe, for a trip out to Lundy to dive with the seals. This is on the Bank Holiday Monday, approx leave the harbour at 9am, return about 5pm, final times will be given nearer the date. This has proved very popular so if you want a place be quick.

The trip is suitable for Open Water divers or above, you will need 2 tanks and a DSMB. I will be on board with another member of staff, so if you want a guided dive there is no extra charge.

I can now offer the first trip to Lundy for 2010 to dive with the seals. This is on saturday 17th April, leaving from Ilfracombe at about 8.30am, on board "Obsession". The cost I have held at the same as last year.

This trip is suitable for newly qualified divers and above.

I will be on board for the trip with Stuart, so if you wish to have an accompanied dive you can join us at no extra charge. If you wish to complete a course on the day, let me know in advance to see what we can arrange.

Kit hire is also available at �30 for a full set with a charge of �4 per tank for an air fill.

This is strictly on a first come first served basis. Your place will be confirmed by email and then you have 7 days to send your cheque for the full amount payable to Somerset Divers, at 23 Labourham way, Cheddar, Somerset. BS27 3XJ. If the cheque is not received in that time your place will be cancelled and automatically go to the next person on the list. The cheques will not be cashed until just before the trip.

email me at somersetdivers@hotmail.co.uk

Somerset Divers will be heading for Fort Bovisand at Plymouth for midday on Sunday 11th April. The dive centre, Discovery Divers, will be open until 5pm so an afternoon of diving the harbour, allegedly in the sun!!

We will be conducting guided dives for those that require them at �20 for 2 dives, kit is available at �30 for a full set, you will only require one tank as air is available on site, tank hire �5. Tanks must be returned full or a charge.

If you want to come down with a buddy and just join us for the social side, it will be great to see you. Just let me know you are coming in case of any lest minute changes.
If you would like to carry out any training, start your advanced course, or some early season practice of some skills, email me asap to make the arrangements.
It looks as though it will be a beautiful calm day, so now is the time to get out there.

Ken Fanson
07837614004
E-mail:- somersetdivers@hotmail.co.uk
www.somersetdivers.co.uk

Somerset Divers will be heading for the coast on Monday 5th April, we are planning on Babbacombe, near Torquay, arrival at 9am with high tide being at 10.30am. That will give plenty of time for 2 dives. This trip is subject to change, so ring me beforehand so that I can notify you of any late changes.

If you would like to come along for a guided dive there is a charge of just �20 for the 2 dives.

The journey takes about 1 and a half hours from Cheddar and the location for your satnavs is Beach Road, Babbacombe. The toilets and Wayne’s Cafe should be open.

If you want to come along for a dive with a buddy and just meet up we will always be glad to see you.
Email me to let me know you are coming in case of last minute changes in plans.

We arrived at East Shag Rock to find a bit of a swell and the viz looking poor, so we decided to head for the Brixham Breakwater. On arrival at the car park, the place was full of divers with the same idea. We eventually got a parking place and kitted up. In the water on time to find the viz still poor, a bit of wildlife but still not an abundance. 2 dives later and off to the Breakwater Bistro. At least the sun came out.

Did you know at 6am it is still dark, we found out this morning on our trip to Brixham, that was a bit of a shock to start the season.

But we timed it right, the sun was out and the sea was flat calm. By 9 the car park was filling up with divers and we were getting in. The viz was not as good as we had hoped but we were all glad to be back in the water. Open Water course underway and pleasure divers were off. By midday we were settled in to the Breakwater Bistro for a warming drink followed by a 2 course Sunday Lunch for just a tenner. My thanks to everyone for a brilliant day out. Then somebody put a couple of scallops in my dive box, well shame to waist them so scallops cooked in white wine and herbs with a chilled bottle of chardonnay. The winter is over!!

3 of us made the trip down to Bovisand, a cold foggy morning, but it soon burnt of and left us with clear blue skies. The water a chilly 9 degrees had viz up to 4 metres which was surprisingly good. Not a lot of life yet but an hours dive. It was good to get back in. The first of many I hope this year.

Unfortunately on our arrival the wind had come round and we were blown out, but we went to the Brixham Breakwater Bistro for a cooked breakfast which I can highly recommend if you are ever down that way.

Unfortunately the trip was cancelled due to high winds on the coast.

I am going to the Dive Show at the NEC Birmingham on Sunday 25th October. Tickets on the door are �10.50p On-line they are �7.50p. Ordered on-line as a batch of 6 or more and they are �6.50. Give me a ring or email me if you want tickets. If there is enough interest I hope we will get them at �6.50. I hope to order them on Tuesdays 13th October.

Meet around the refreshment area for about midday. Then start looking for the end of show bargains

I don't plan on organising lifts but if you want to share lifts, I will put your name out on a circulation of those going.

This Saturday, 17th October, we will be carrying out training on the PADI Advanced Open Water Course, at Fort Bovisand, Plymouth. We will also be offering guided dives from the harbour, 2 dives for �20. Meet at the harbour for 10am, the address if you have not been before is Discovery Divers, Fort Bovisand, Plymouth, PL9 0AB.

If you require kit I have full sets of kit at �30, this includes a tank which must be full on return. Air fills will be available on site as well as food.

The weather looks as though it will be holding all week so the viz will be brilliant.

Email or ring me to book a place.

Regrettably cancelled as the skipper decided to go away

I have booked a boat with Discovery Divers at Plymouth for Friday 9th October. For 12 divers. This is a 3 dive trip. 1st proposed dive The Scylla, Depth 11m to 24m. 2nd proposed dive The James Egan Lane 7m to 24m. The 3rd dive will probably be a scalloping reef dive.

I will be on the dives, so if you are unsure of UK diving and want an escorted dive at no extra charge you will be welcome. Or if you want to do a course, wreck, deep or navigation just let me know a couple of weeks in advance.

This dive is for Open Water divers or above, DSMB required and 2 tanks.

If you require kit hire for the trip I have several sets at �30 for full kit for the day plus �4 per air fill.

Cheques in full at the time of booking, payable to Somerset Divers, 23 Labourham Way, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3 XJ. If cheques not received within 1 week of booking, your place will be re-advertised.

This is strictly first come first served, so email me back at somersetdivers@hotmail.co.uk

Unfortunately cancelled due to bad weather. But keep an eye out for next weeks.

Unfortunately the boat has broken down so no scallops this week. But the good news is it should be mended by next week.

Guided Dives this saturday at Babbacombe, the weather is looking good and the sea calm. So all being well 2 guided dives from the beach at Babbacombe, meet at 9.30am in the car park. High tide is 11.30.

If you require any kit I have some for hire at �30 for full kit which includes the tank, �5 for separate tank hire, air fills are an additional �4.

Please email me to book your place.

Yet another one down to West Bay on board Huntress. The boat leaves at 7pm prompt from the harbour. One dive for scallops, or if you are Popstar the eco-warrior on the boat trying to stop people seeing them!

You will need to be an experienced Advanced Open Water or equivilent, you must have DSMB and torches. This is now night diving. Payment is direct to the boat skipper.

TRIP REPORT

Another good day out on board Obsession with Andy Bengey. Due to the weather we had to head to the west of Lundy Island to get shelter from the wind. We were joined by 3 of Sue's friends from the Camel Club Forum from up north who had driven most of the night to see the seals. When we arrived there seemed to be a lack of them. But once in the water the seals did their bit. Everyone had an encounter with the pictures being shown around. Unfortunately my drysuit decided to spring a major leak which prevented me joining in the second dive. Note to self, don't put off making those repairs!!

Dive two, back in the water and I could only watch as every group of divers were joined by seals. Back on the boat and again all the photos were being shown around.

Kit stowed away and headed back to Ilfracombe, a somewhat bumpy ride back, but a great day and no one seasick despite the swell.

Thanks to all those who made it a great day out. Tony, Phil, Neil, you are welcome back any time, glad you made the effort to come down. Hopefully some photos will soon appear on here.

Trip report. Another trip out of Westbay on board huntress after the scallops. Steamed out of the harbour on time, on a flat sea with a stunning sunset, then turned round and steamed back in, when some idiot thought they had left their car keys hanging out of the door lock, just got back in and the same idiot found them in his drysuit pocket, shan't say anymore about that. Anyway steamed out again to the Baygitano, myself, Scaff and Popstar entered the water as it got dark, 20 metres and 46mins later we surfaced with 50 scallops. Its slightly eerie sat in the middle of a dark sea with the dive boat several hundred yards away and you hope that he sees you. Unfortunately we shall not know how many scallops Scaff had, as his line snapped under the shear weight, bag of scallops and reel are now somewhere on the bottom north east of the Baygitano.

Excellent nightdive, good Viz, good company. Probably same again next week.

Two Guided Dives this saturday at Fort Bovisand, Plymouth. Arrive at Fort Bovisand for 9.30am for 2 dives from the harbour, max depth 15m.

Discovery Divers is situated at the harbour so airfills, toilets and food are available. Car parking is either on the harbour wall or drop your equipment off and park just above the dive centre.

This dive is suitable for Open Water or experienced divers. If you have an SMB bring it as there is boat traffic.

PL9 0AB is the postcodae for your satnavs. Or have a look at their website www.discoverydivers.org you will also be able to see the boat I have booked for the trip on 9th October

TRIP REPORT

Another brilliant trip out to Lundy, on Monday 17th August from Ilfracombe. Thanks to Andy for letting us have Obsession 2 his big catamarran, awesome boat, loads of room in and out of the cabin. Started with a bit of rain, but it soon passed over. Motored out to Lundy with Stu Blair getting greyer by the minute but still swearing by his wonder seasickeness tablets, but thankfully we soon arrived into the shelter of the Island and it was flat calm

A couple of newcomers on board to UK sea diving, but with cameras ready and the seals in the water and calling we were in. And they didn't dissapoint

End of the first dive and everyone had had a close encounter.

Surface interval and the sun comes out, blue sky, you'd almost think it was summer

Dive 2, Gannets Bay. Awesome, Amazing, Brilliant, I think there were a few other words to describe it. Young Matt, his first sea dive with a seal on his hand and a photo to prove it. Sue, seals chewing on her fins

The photos are on the Gallery page, Lundy 17.8.9. take a look, hopefully some videos to come. Well they should be when I learn how to upload them, please be patient

Thanks to everyone for an excellent day, one trip left to Lundy on the 18th September, a few places left.

Trip report

Brilliant day out with Discovery Divers on Red Alert at Fort Bovisand in Plymouth. 12 divers on the boat and loads of room on deck and in the cabin. We headed off down to The Maine, a wreck just off of Salcombe. 20metres on to the deck. Really good viz and loads of wildlife. Then a leisurely lunch sat just off of Thurlestone Beach, then back out to East Rutts,this is a large reef full of wildlife. It starts at 14 metres and finishes at 55. Even the sun came out.

If you get the offer to do the dives or use Discovery Divers, do it.

Organising another one soon.