The RSAC plan for Sunday 20th was a mix of diving and diver coxswain assessments. The plan from the British weather side was, to say the least, less settled. With the prospect of sitting on a small boat in choppy waters with little to look forward to other than subbing in for Bob Overboard, the diving plans were significantly scaled back. In the end, not only non-boat-driving participant was someone who had perhaps foolishly offered to share the car driving with their spouse regardless.
That said, it was a fun day out on the water, with a surprising amount of diving.
For the first leg, Frank took the helm. We headed out of the harbour through the south entrance to scout the seas. Our Cox Candidate handled the swell admirably, but it was universally agreed that picking up divers in those conditions would not be a fair assessment. We backtracked to the landing craft, (the only sheltered spot in the harbour) only to find Waverider had beaten us there, so we proceeded out the north entrance to the Hartlepool, where waters were a bit calmer. Frank dropped first the shot and then Andy C and I went in the water. The shot was perfectly placed, which was just as well - because Andy and I proceeded to do a 20 minute fingertip search of the sea floor, during which we saw not only a small piece of wreck but also a crab, a scallop, and (between us) three fish. We surfaced for an uneventful pickup and returned to shore for lunch.
After eating, caffeinating, and waiting out another rain shower, our candidates swapped roles and we headed back out to sea, this time towards Balaclava Bay which was now sheltered because the wind, although just as strong, had changed from South to West. It was Andy's turn to place shot and divers. Once again this went off without a hitch, and Frank and I dropped down into an unexpectedly glorious 3m of visibility. We took full advantage by scalloping until my air started to run low, then ascended for an able pickup.
Both Frank and Andy C passed their assessments and are now eligible to be bothered by DMs short of a cox for their trips. I got a couple of fun dives and a Lidl poke bowl. I'm not sure what George got out of the day, but he seemed pleased at the end, so I feel it was a success all around.
Cat deG
