SHEEPHAVEN SUB AQUA CLUB NEWS:
Sheephaven divers had pure diving delight on Saturday morning when they conducted a 28 metre dive at the Arch on Tory island.
Kevin Mc Glynn on board dive boat Áine led a two stick dive party from Downings and in near perfect conditions arrived at Tory 30 minutes later.
The dives’ commenced in the 15 metre hole under the Arch and proceeded along the rock face, initially rising above the underwater ledge of the Arch and then progressively deeper to 28 metres.
Dive times of up to nearly 50 minutes were recorded during which the divers observed substantial numbers of Pollock, Ballan Wrasse and Conger Eels.
In addition to the big fish what especially caught the divers’ attention were carpets of Jewel Anemones, with the vivid purple Anemones the most impressive.
All was clear to be seen in excellent in-water visibility of over 10 metres horizontally, with comfortable water temperatures of just over 10 degrees Celsius.
Despite the rising easterly breeze the return trip was conducted in 35 minutes, with the entire morning benefiting from the bright May sunlight.
If Saturdays dive was a delight then Sundays was utterly magical when Sheephaven club members dived The Limeburner, a few kilometres north of Melmore Head.
Ethel Mc Grenaghan led a two boat dive party out to the submerged reef, where the dive was conducted in two sticks.
Maximum depth recorded on site was 38 metres, where the no decompression limit allowed for not much more than 10 minutes at that depth.
As the decompression limits arrived the divers ascended to shallower levels on the reef, where they completed the remainder of the 30 minute dive amongst the dense kelp forest of the reef.
Water temperatures were a comfortable 10 degrees Celsius, with water visibility of at least 10 metres horizontally.
Fish life was abundant with shoals of both juvenile and mature Pollock and Rock Cook, the smallest of the Wrasses in Irish waters.
Other marine species in abundant numbers included Deadman’s Fingers, Hydroids, Boring Sponges, carpets of Jewel Anemones and Potato Crisp Bryozoan.
Meanwhile the club snorkelers, led by Willie Sheridan and Eddie Mc Fadden took the opportunity to get out to Inishbofin Island and enjoy the beautiful waters in the bay between it and Inishdooey, another top class site when the weather allows access.
A truly magical weekend of diving made perfect by the glorious sunshine and once again thanks to all who towed, fuelled boats and filled bottles, their help is always appreciated.
This Wednesday evening coming Anne Boyle is leading a shore dive and snorkel from Portnablagh Pier at 7.30pm, if anyone is interested in midweek dip.
On Thursday The Irish Underwater Council or CFT signed a unique Service Level Agreement with the Irish Coast Guard, which allows for volunteer Search and Recovery divers to be called upon in the event of a water based tragedy.
This milestone agreement not only establishes a protocol on how volunteer divers in Ireland are called upon by the Civil Authorities but also sets in place the first such agreement with voluntary organisations, which may very well become the basis for future agreements.
Sheephaven SAC is honoured to be at the centre of this lengthy process with club Chairman and SAR Unit leader John Joe Rowland being instrumental in the process as the CFT National SAR Officer, a little bit of history in the making and well done to all involved.
Tags:
