RIB Dive Trip Report: 10th and 11th May 2025
Paul, Frank, Fariborz, Niall O’D. George (Saturday only),
Saturday
The day started with George providing a quick introduction to the RIB’s new GPS system. We then headed out to Durdle Door, one of the most iconic features on the Jurassic coastline. The wind was easterly F4 gusting F5 and the sea state during the crossing was a bit choppy, with 1-1.5m waves. The plan was to enter the water up current of the arch and allow the drift to take us past it. Once in the water, we descended to the sandy seabed and occasional large rock boulders. Gently drifting, we spotted spider crabs, various types of wrasse and, waving in the current, beautiful red seaweed, white cluster anemone and sugar kelp.
After a pleasant lunch in Lulworth Cove, we commenced our search for Brioney Victoria. We first tried the co-ordinates stored in the RIB new GPS but nothing was found then tried those in the guidebook Dorset dives by Will Appleyard but again nothing showed up on our new GPS even when set with the relief shading overlay or the RIB’s Sonar. A look at the Garmin boating phone app showed a wreck in the area called Fabrica, (this was the name of the Art’s sponsor) so although a long shot we tried there but again the RIB GPS or Sonar showed nothing. Without any supporting evidence for the physical location of the art wreck and the likely poor visibility making searching in the water challenging we decided to move on to leave Brioney Victoria for another day and further research when back home. The Spring tides made finding a suitable alternative on the east side of the Bill difficult and so our Plan B was the Countess where Fari and Frank had an enjoyable dive including several swim throughs of the hull.
Sunday
With our knowledge from Saturday and constraints of the spring tides we revised our plans to
dive the James Fennel on the Bill’s west side where the sea state would be calmer and we could hope for improved visibility. As usual the James Fennel provided a great dive, with little tide and this time reasonable 3-5m visibility. On the Boiler we found several common lobsters hiding in the cracks, one with span between claws of over 0.5m! When we returned to the RIB we were met by an overcast sky, rain showers and the cool easterly wind so we decided to return to the shelter of the harbour marina for lunch and changed the venue for the second dive. The weather improved in the afternoon, and we went out to the ww2 landing craft and bombardon near the outer breakwater. We descended the permanent shot line to the bow of the landing craft, circumnavigating it before dropping from the stern 3m high exit ramp into the deck where we saw spider crabs on the side walls and Niall spotted a seal flash past!. We passed the wheelhouse on our left then down to the winches and over the stern gate to the in-situ rope leading to the bombardon; a 50m long lump of crossed shaped metal intended to be used as a pontoon & wave breaking system at the Mulberry Harbour. We retraced our steps and returned to the shot, a safety stop and cox Fari waiting in the rib. The visibility was low but the ww2 relic provided lots of interest making a very worthwhile dive and good finish to the weekend.
There are some good photos on RSAC Casual Whatsapp.
