Plymouth

The plan was to dive either the Scylla or James Eagan Layne, but it was not to be; conditions deteriorated more rapidly than predicted, the north-easterly winds strengthening considerably. With well-founded concern about the sea-state on the return, the dive site was changed to the breakwater fort. Even-so, by the time the first wave surfaced the sea was much rougher and getting them back in the boat was difficult. The first wave's dive was very good by all accounts- plenty of interesting marine life and stuff to look at- so I was quite dissapointed about not getting in, but with the weather so nasty, just as well.

When the first wave launched we looked around Mount Batten Centre, where various watersports clubs are based including Plymouth Sound Dive Club; back at the car we drank coffee and looked out across the Sound. Later on the white-horses, that had been absent earlier, were increasingly apparent and into the distance sprey had broadcast a haze over the sea. Returning boats were having a very rough ride back.

Exmouth Quay

Arriving early at Exmouth, the plan was to do a dive from the quay at high water; but although it wasn't particularly windy, and the sea wasn't too choppy (you could see a little way into the water and submerged rocks), it was only just do-able. I was buddied with Clint and Hilary; also diving were Anne and Geoff, Brian and Nik. Our group, and Anne and Geoff, got in at Mamhead slipway. Visibility was about 1m so we all had to stay very close. After a quick buoyancy check we made our way down over the rocky slope to a depth of about 9-10m. Encrusting animals included delicate light brown sponges (h.bowerbanki), and there were small feathery plants, also brownish. The largest living animals I saw were mussels. Hilary and Clint saw a fish but I missed it. Every time I thought I saw a fish coming into view it turned into a tatty piece of litter. There were some dead starfish, and several dead gurnards - the biggest of which Hilary delighted in waving in our faces. I managed to take a few pictures, though conditions for it were less than ideal; not so much the lack of light, but the murk made it impossible for the camera to focus.

Somehow despite the poor vis, about halfway through the dive we encountred Brian and Nik who had jumped off the quayside and were heading for the slipway. Finning against the tide became hard, we had entered the water 30 minutes after HW, later than planned and the tide was coming out. I followed Clint and Hilary up slope past mussel covered boulders and we were surfacing apparently. I managed to do the last few metres very slowly and was quite pleased with this. Clint's pilotage was brilliant and we surfaced at ladder. The ladder however didn't reach the water and we surface swam back to the slipway, Clint getting me to tow Hilary. I had just done my first scuba dive in sea. Hooray! Derek and Yasmin assisted with the dive management. Yasmin recorded times and air in and times and air out, and she was able to help people, myself included, with bits of kit getting in and out. After de-kit we all went for slap up dinner at the cafe behind the quay. Their 'Scooby' is a big fried breakfast plus burger and chips,- which were very good btw.