15th January 2011
Earlier in the week, with ideal neap tides predicted for the Saturday, the plan had been to dive the Glanmire off St Abbs head. Waking early on Saturday morning and listening to the wind howling outside the window it looked initially like the dive could be blown out. Rolling over and going back to sleep seemed much the saner option! After a quick exchange of text’s however, it was confirmed that the dive was still on, although not on the Glanmire.
Assembling at Eyemouth harbour we loaded our kit aboard the Scimitar.
The muddy brown water in the harbour however was not particularly encouraging. Derek, the skipper however, was confident that we could find clean water and shelter from the gusty winds by heading further up the coast to the waters off St Abbs.
Indeed the first dive was a case of dropping in amongst some of the large rocks that lay off St Abbs harbour wall. Here we explored around these rocks and along the gully’s that separate them from each other. Fish life was very sparse, and the water a chilly 6 degrees centigrade. The underwater visibility was a reasonable 6 metres. Some of managed over 40 minutes in the chilly water.
Returning to the surface, we waited for Derek to manoeuvre the Scimitar through the gusts to pick up the waiting divers. Over the last year Derek has continued to adapt the Scimitar to meet his diving guests needs. In the tricky conditions the addition of a line hanging along the sides of the hulls and around the stern proved very useful, as the strong winds tended to push the catamaran backwards faster than most divers could swim. Once safely aboard, we took shelter in the large cabin and enjoyed the welcome mug of tea that thrust into ones hand.
For the second dive we elected to dive off the Black Carrs. Derek dropped everyone upstream of the rocks so it was a case of descending down whilst drifting towards the submarine reef that heads out from the rock. On reaching this reef we admired the rich covering of marine life that clings to the exposed edges of the rock, it is clearly an area that normally catches the full force of the tide.
Eventually we came across the large old anchor that rests close to the outside tip of the reef. Starting our ascent back up across the top of this reef Andy located a wolf fish hiding deep within its lair.
Ascending higher up the reef we came across some beautiful dahlia anemones tentacles extended n the gentle current.
All too soon, it was time to complete safety stops and head back to the surface and the waiting Scimitar.
Aquamarine Charters.
Phone: 018907 50481
http://www.aquamarine-charters.co.uk