Sheephaven divers finished out 2018 with one last dive and snorkel in Portnablagh Harbour, accompanied by calm and mild conditions.
Nonetheless, the in-water temperatures at 8 degrees Celsius at the seabed are chilly enough, with only an extra degree in the upper levels of the water column.
The snorkelers were able to cross the bay to Killyhoey, a journey that takes about an hour and a half or alternatively cross to the golf course point and back to the pier by the Pink Cave with no swell to impede them on their journey.
For the divers, the in-water visibility was reasonable at around 5 metres horizontally and over a forty-minute dive they achieved a maximum of 11 metres just outside the Port marker at the end of the breakwater.
As would be expected at this time of the year marine life is very quiet, with just the observation of a Butterfish to report.
New Year’s Day swim for Sheephaven divers has always been associated with Marblehill, where club members joined a very large crowd of participants for the 2pm run down the beach to the sea and into the breakers.
Meanwhile at other similar events around the county from Clonmany to Burtonport club members were also participating in the collective New Years dip that seems to have become a feature of modern Ireland, but all in the aid of various charitable causes.
Finally, Sheephaven SAC would like to wish a speedy return to good health to all club members and any of their families members who may have been challenged during the past year and for safe diving in 2019.
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