Newsletter 11 – December 2006

Dive Holiday Report – Hurghada - Egypt /Red Sea 13/10/06 - Wreck of the Thistlegorm

The third (and eventful) day involved being up at 3.30am and then a 5 hour chug up the Gulf of Aquaba.

The first dive on one of the best wrecks in the world was spent on the outside – down to the ‘bombed’ out area and around the stern via the locomotive off to one side pausing at the huge propeller. Then up onto the deck with the second locomotive and oil tanker. There was also an armoured personnel carrier, ammunition boxes, shells and army boots – tons to see. There’s was quite a lot of life with some very sizeable fish (batfish, wrasse) – even ‘Nemo’ was spotted. Depth was around the 30m mark.

The second ‘penetration’ dive was into the holds where you find the big army trucks and BSA motorcycles – racks of them. You can just about sit on them, café racer style, and pose for a photo. The tyres on both the lorries and bikes are still intact and there are still a few panes of glass in the truck windows. It is dark in places but there is enough natural light filtering through. There are lots of lionfish on this wreck and there was even a moray eel out in the open. A fab wreck penetration dive but we ended up with loads of deco time (mainly because of the short surface interval). Depth was around 25m.

Then there was the long 5 hour journey back to port. We left around 1.30pm and it was a race against time as the boat had no lights. A 5 hour plus steam with about 4 hours of daylight left. Er now is it me or does 5 into 4 not go. Bizarrely the captain even borrowed a diver’s compass – ‘er try heading south’ we cried. The signs were there when whilst manoeuvring above the Thistlegorm, the skipper played bumper boats with a live aboard and came off worst with chunks of wood ripped off the side rails and the stanchion holding up the sun deck, which we were all sitting on.

After 4 hours we were offshore of Hurghada in darkness ‘racing’ back to port at a heady 7 knots or so. We were on the sun deck gazing up at the stars. No cabin lights, no running lights, and no moon to guide us – ‘Columbus style’ back to a safe haven’. No problem these skippers know these waters like the back of their hand – don’t they? Another warning sign…..er didn’t we hug the coastline a bit closer on the way out this morning?

All of a sudden the engine pitch changed, it burst into life, a deep roar above the er talk of the first cold beer to be had after a memorable days diving and why helicopters don’t have ejector seats. The boat shuddered and I remember thinking I’m sure they don’t have icebergs in Egypt.

I now know what Egyptian is for ‘chuck it in reverse’ and ‘oh b*ll*cks who put that there’. Despite a brave but futile last ditch attempt to avoid the inevitable, the boat pitched first skywards and then listed to one side. We were now shipwrecked on a reef miles from land (and the all inclusive bar) in shark infested, ink black, waters (ok Nemo infested), the lights of Hurghada twinkling, teasingly in the distance.

The boat settled and the captain thrust the engines in reverse in the vain hope we had only ‘kissed’ the reef. No joy, as we were stuck fast and we were not going anywhere for the foreseeable. Fortunately we could see the bottom of the sea bed and the reef. Night dive anyone?

Not to worry get on the radio, call another boat, call the coastguard, send up some flares, man the lifeboats and abandon ship. Panic spread like wild fire and the dive guide confirmed our worst fears - we were not going to make dinner. Oh and there was no radio, no flares, no lifeboats, no contingency plan. So no emergency equipment then skipper, and what do you mean ‘who the hell are the RNLI’?

The signs were not good when the skipper jumped overboard – oh no it’s ok, he’s just checking the hull for damage. Then some good news there was no water coming into the hull in the engine room. Hurrah!

The Al’s tours rep – er Alan, quickly took control of the situation. In typical British style we started to sing songs to keep our spirits high – (we didn’t really but we could have). Then it dawned on us – we could try signalling to other dive boats, which we could see in the distance. Now what is Egyptian for . . . - - - . . . ? Do they have Morse code in Egypt?

Finally we saw a chink of light when they were almost upon us. I should also mention that the second dive boat also had no running lights! But at least they had a small cabin light. We were saved. Hooray!

A line was thrown over and with the awesome power of 2 mighty 5hp engines and 10 minutes of tugging, the reef finally released us from it’s menacing vice like grip. Both boats then chugged carefully back to port. And then we realised why it was so difficult to see us - a huge ½ km long island, had hidden us from the view of the rescue boat. The skipper had been heading straight for it even before we had hit the reef! He was on totally the wrong course! We did make it back in time for a few all inclusive beers.

Other news

Sunday nights - As you may have noticed the pool bar is always shut but some of us still nip over the Kings Head (Town Centre) for a few drinks from around 9.30 onwards. Everyone welcome and we don’t just talk about diving! This is a chance for some of the newer members to get to know us old timers.

Sat 9^th December - A Christmas party was held at the Railway Hotel pub Hornchurch – a very successful evening. There was going to be a presentation of awards recognising diving qualifications gained within the last year but this will now occur at the clubs AGM on Thursday 18 January 2007 at 8.00pm in the Railway Hotel, Hornchurch (near the station). This is your chance to air your views and help make YOUR club better.

Sunday pool night – we hope to restart Octopush on a monthly basis (probably the first Sunday of the month) – if you have never played before it is like under water ice hockey with a puck and a ‘shover’ and 2 teams try to score goals. Ideally you need at least 10 people in the water so if you don’t want to go swimming or don’t need to try your kit out or want a break from training, come on down for some exercise and some fun. Hopefully this will be arranged so that training does not occur at the same time so you do not miss anything. You need swimming cozzie, mask, snorkel, fins and it is wise to wear gloves.

2007 Diving –Roll on the Spring!!

May 12 Littlehampton (Michelle Mary) DIVE OPENS 15^th April

June 2 /3 Weymouth (unknown) DIVE OPENS 1^st January

The big ‘Cat’ has been sold and this will now be on the new boat which is a live aboard

June 17 Eastbourne (Sussex) DIVE OPENS 20^th May

July 21 / 22 Lyme Regis (Blue Turtle) DIVE OPENS 1^st January

The Locations Officer says this will be the last Lyme for a while, will look for an alternative site for 2008

August 19 Eastbourne (Sussex) DIVE OPENS 15^th July

September 7/8/9 Farne Islands (Newcastle) Farnes Diver DIVE OPENS 1^st January

The club have only been here once in the last 4/5 years and if you want to experience seals, seals and more seals then this is the one for you. The seal pups will tug at your fins whilst you are swimming along and get really close to you. I spent about 10 minutes sitting on a rock on one dive playfully wrestling my fins from a seal’s fins. Yes they can be annoying but they are so cute.

2005/2006 Qualifications - Certificates will be presented at the AGM

Open Water Instructor - Dave the Dog, Tim Ahern

Advanced Diver - Gary Neal, Terry Rogers

Assistant Instructor - Gary Neal, Terry Rogers

Dive Leader - Richard Porter, Tim Ahern, Dave the Dog

Sport Diver

Ocean Diver – Sean Mason, Lee Spencer, Andy Lovell, Peter, Lucy

You can obtain a qualification card from the BSAC website (saves taking your log book on holiday) they cost £10.50. http://www.bsac.org/services/qcardapp.pdf