As
a club based in South Wales we are very fortunate to live close enough to dive
around the Pembrokeshire Coast, the only coastal national park in the UK and an
area of "outstanding natural beauty" which also incorporates the Skomer
Marine Nature Reserve.
Pembrokeshire
is also an area rich in wildlife with many species of birds and mammals to be
found. Some of the offshore islands are famous for their bird colonies such as
the Gannets of Grassholme and the Manx Shearwaters of Skomer. Many of the more
remote beaches and islands become home to seals during the breeding season and
dolphins and porpoises are often sighted in the area.
As
well as the breathtaking coastal scenery, Pembrokeshire's underwater environment
is also very scenic and abundant with a diversity of marine life. The strong sea
currents which race around this stretch of coastline carry food and nutrients
to ensure a healthy growth of both plants and animals within this marine environment.
With
many wrecks in the area for divers to explore and underwater visibility up to
15 metres this area is a superb venue for sports divers.
When
diving in the area, we base ourselves at the West Wales Diving Centre at Hasguard
Cross (marked on the map below as a red square) We keep our club boats and tractor
here and launch from local sites such as Broad Haven, Little Haven, Dale and Gelliswick
(marked on the map below as red circles).
From
these launch sites we can reach many of our favourite dive locations at any state
of the tide and in almost any weather conditions.
There
are literally dozens of excellent dive sites around this area of coast, information
on which can be obtained from the West Wales Diving Centre. Some of the more famous
dive sites are shown on the map below.
During
the diving season the boats are kept in the boatyard at West Wales
Divers.
The boats
being prepared and checked out before use.
When they
are ready they cane be hitched up and towed to the chosen launch site.
The larger boats are quite
heavy and require a four wheel drive vehicle to tow them.
The
outboard engines are large and powerful so that the boats can carry us at speed
to the various dive sites.
After
the divers have suited up the dive gear is then loaded on to the boats.
We
usually use a tractor to tow the boats down the beach to the sea and launch them.
Sometimes we use four wheel
drive vehicles.
Final
checks are carried out on the beach.
Using a tractor for launching
and recovery makes life a lot easier. (an awful lot easier)
Once
the boats are in the water the engines are started and warmed up
Somebody stays in the water
to hold the boat steady while everybody else climds aboard.
The
powerful outboard engines allow us to travel quickly to the chosen dive
site.
The boats can carry eight divers
to the dive site with ease and we usually take more than one boat on a
normal dive day.
Sometimes
we take all three boats.
The Hen & Chicks
One of our favourite dive sites a site with spectacular marine life
The
view from the other side.
Hen and Chicks is usually diveable
in bad weather when other more exposed sites are inaccessible.
Brian Goffee as boat cover
Stack
Rocks (west side)
another popular dive site
Skomer Island
Famous for the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve
One of the boats anchored
off the north wall of Skomer.
Grassholme Island
(birdshit island)
Owned by the RSPB and home to a huge Gannet Colony
Some
good diving is to found around this island.
One of the main drawbacks to
diving here is the terrific pong that comes from the gannet colony.
The
Smalls Lighthouse
Home to many seals and at the furthest limit
of our club boats. There are several superb dive sites out here but due
to its remote location, it can only be visited during periods of calm weather.
The Diving Officer (Peter
Rees)
Our
equipment officer Billy Whizz and The club treasurer Jeff Canning
(a pair of real crooks)
Dicky Taylor (club fashion
guru)
Our
senior (senile) citizen Phil the Flute
Gary Hortop wondering why he
bought a Suunto Computer.
Our Vice President Merville
Burrows (the bearded wonder)
Alaina enjoying a sausage roll.
Brian Goffee looking on in amazement.