Mulberry Divers<"Selsey Diving Selsey Lifeboat Station Diving holidays and trips">

	Latest News
	20th September 2008- Dive for Debris This is international Beach Clean Up day. This year we will once again be combining our efforts to clean up both above and below water with raising funds for Project AWARE and Selsey Life Boat. Once again we will be combining our efforts above the water with various other organisations to maximise the area we cover. Fund raising events this year include: a photographic competition, raffle with wonderful prizes including TUSA Underwater Camera, O'Three 3mm full length wet suit, Fourth Element Tee shirts, Portsmouth Dockyard family membership and much more. All equipment rental fees for those Diving for Debris to be split between Project AWARE and Selsey Lifeboat. The Beach Clean Up will be followed by a BBQ in East Beach car park. So if you want to join the fun then please contact us.

	DIVING SELSEY LIFEBOAT STATION Selsey Lifeboat station is a popular shore dive and one of our favorite dives. However as divers you need to be aware that it is a working beach, more akin to a small harbour than your average tourist beach. On Saturday 14th June the Tyne class All Weather Lifeboat was unable to respond to a Mayday call due to divers without SMBs being positioned directly in front of the launching ramp. Although the RNLI shore crew tried to attract the divers’ attention by banging on the station structure, this was not successful and they had to wait about 10 minutes before they were able to launch the lifeboat. Fortunately it turned out that the Mayday was for a yacht which had run aground and no lives were in immediate danger. Even so we want to try and prevent something like this happening again. This was a near miss on two counts; the first was that the launch was delayed and it was only luck that the casualty was not in a more serious state. The second was that if it hadn’t been for the Lifeboat shore crew seeing the bubbles, the divers could have had a 25 tonne lifeboat coming down on top of them. This is the latest and most serious of a few near misses involving several types of craft which operate from Selsey, that have occurred over the years. Both we and the local BSAC branch, Selsey Bill Sub-Aqua Club have always advised anyone planning on diving in this area to use an SMB at all times and not to dive round the end of the slipway. Despite these efforts there are still some people who continue to dive without SMBs. We have used this area for training for many years; with ourselves and the fishermen helping each other out. They recognise an SMB when they see one and are able to give it a wide berth. Apart from preventing a launch by the lifeboat and endangering others, the worry is that divers without an SMB will not be seen and could be hit by a boat propeller. This includes the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat which could be launched at any time. We have discussed this with Selsey RNLI and have agreed that the following Emergency signal will be used if the RNLI shore crew need divers to surface so that the Lifeboat can launch. THREE loud bangs on the station structure - gap - THREE loud bangs If you dive near the fishing boats or the Lifeboat Station, then please: use an SMB avoid the area directly in front of the station ramp come to the surface immediately if you hear the Emergency signal

	LEARN TO DIVE AND UK DIVER (BOAT AND DRY SUIT DIVER) Want to learn to dive but short on time at weekends? Then why not join us on one of our one week intensive Open Water and Junior Open Water courses. Our next intensive course is scheduled for August 16th, 18th, 21st and 22nd. Just learnt to dive and now you want to continue your diving experience in the UK? Then ask us about Boat Diver and Dry Suit Diver. Boat Diver will provide you with the skills which are essential to enjoy diving from boats. Dry Suit Diver will help you to enjoy your diving when ever sea temperatures are a little cooler. The next courses are currently scheduled for -23rd August.

	OTHREE DRYSUITS We are proud to announce that we have now added O'Three to our list of key suppliers. We have also added a small number of OThree drysuits to our supply of dry suits in the Dive School. This means that you have an opportunity to learn to dive, continue your diving education or simply try a dry suit before you buy.

	SAFETY RECALL OCEANIC - DX TYPE FIRST STAGE REGULATORS Oceanic have issued a safety recall in respect of certain CDX5 and FDX10 first stages and any Oceanic DX regulator First Stage serviced between May 1st 2006 and October 22nd 2007. Using the regulator may result in an uncontrolled air flow to the second stage. You must DISCONTINUE USE IMMEDIATELY. Bring your Oceanic Regulator into us and we can verify whether your regulator needs to have a new component part (HP Seat) retrofitted.

	OUR HOLIDAYS FOR 2008

	Details of our holidays for 2008 are set out below. Shortly we will be posting details of our holidays for 2009. We offer a full and varied calendar to give you as much choice as possible whether you want warmer waters or some brilliant UK diving.

	October 2008 - Tawali Papua New Guinea -7th to 20th October inclusive This is your chance to visit one of the most exciting, remote and adventurous places on the planet and to dive the beautiful waters of Milne Bay, Tawali, Papua New Guinea. We will be staying at the Tawali resort a private retreat built by the local craftsmen, which is accessible only by boat. 9 days diving (both shore and boat) includes deep and shallow reefs, coral walls, sheer drops with the chance to see plenty of exotic creatures and large pelagics including Hammerheads, Whale Sharks and Manta Rays. This is a 14 day trip with a 10 night dive package including full board and unlimited diving. FULLY BOOKED

	Contact the Dive Centre for bookings and more information.

	EVENTS 2008

	20th September 2008- Dive for Debris This is international Beach Clean Up day. For further details of this years event then look above or contact us.

	Contact the Dive Centre for bookings and more information.

	DIVING FOR THE YOUNGER DIVER
	TOMMI'S CLUB The diving club for the younger diver (age 8 or over). The objectives of Tommi's club are to enable younger divers to develop and progress their diving skills and learn about the marine environment whilst having fun. Annual membership of Tommi's club costs just £25 and on joining members receive a cap and bag. Skills are developed via PADI SEAL TEAM and a number of fun land based activities. Please contact us in the Dive Centre for further information.
	DIVING FOR THE COMING MONTHS
	SELSEY LIFE BOAT DIVES AND BOAT SCHEDULE We will continue to dive The Lifeboat Station as the weather permits. Dates are available on the Dive Schedule. The schedule for boat diving can be found on Dive Opportunities then click on logo for schedule on the right. SOCIAL EVENTS Details of current and forthcoming events are published under Social Club

	TRAINING Please refer to our training schedule for courses for 2007 and 2008.

	EVENTS SO FAR
	June 2008 - St Abbs and Farne Islands We based ourselves at Marine Quest, Eyemouth and started the week by diving with Peter Gibson, Selkie out of St Abbs. The first day we dived Wuddy Rocks and then kitted up in the Barnyard (Shelter) before completing the dive on the Skelly and ending up again in the Shelter. Second day we dived Black Carr and Anemone Gulley. No wolfish in sight on this trip however viz of 8 metres and lots of soft corals and sponges, (including the anemones of course) as well as lumpsuckers, shoals of pollack, baby squid, lobsters and crabs. Third day no diving from St Abbs due to adverse weather so half of us went sight seeing at Lindisfarne whilst the other half made the 5 hour round trip to dive in Loch Long. An enjoyable day for both groups. Our final day 2 dives in the Farne Islands diving with Peter Walker, Farne Island Diver. An exciting trip out due to the swell and then first dive on the St Andreas totally eclipsed by surface interval watching puffins and seals and then a second dive where everyone got to dive with a seal. Need I say more - we will be going back!

	March 2008 - Portland A bright and sunny day so a good start. We arrived at Castletown to find Fathom and Blues preparing to launch. This meant we were swiftly on our way to the Countess of Erne. Viz was quite good at 2 to 3 metres giving us plenty of opportunities to find Devonshire Cup Corals, Sea Squirts, wrasse and blennies. Back to Castletown for a quick break before heading out again to the Dredger. The recent storms meant that the viz was more challenging, however we still managed to find some beautiful fan worms and wrasse. A wonderful fun day.

	March - Safaga Red Sea - March 2008 We left the storms behind us and departed for the Red Sea. Once again we were based at The Menaville and dived with Menadive. The weather was wonderful, if a bit breezy, beautiful sunshine and time to relax between dives. Plenty to see including Napoleon Wrasse, Giant Morays, Giant Pufferfish, mating Octopus, Arabian Angelfish and much more. Visibility was above 20m on every dive and the reefs and coral gardens were spectacular. Dives included Panorama Reef, Abu Kufan and The Salem Express, well worth the early start, and very atmospheric with the doors gently swinging in the current. The boat crews and dive staff ensured that we had an enjoyable and memorable holiday. We brought back plenty of photographs and our video is available to see at the dive centre.

	Nemo 33 Brussels - 9th and 23rd February 2008 As our day trip to Brussels promised to be long and action packed a number of us opted to stay overnight at the Travelodge. Up early the next morning to catch the 07:15 Eurostar to Brussels. Then an easy transfer via Metro and Tram to Nemo 33. Check in and wait in the coffee shop whilst watching the divers already in the tank through the plate glass windows. Then our turn, quick change and 10 minutes snorkelling and duck diving to warm up before donning kit. There are shelves at 5m, 10m and a pit to 34ms. So you can pick your depth. Down to 34ms for most of us with at least one person delighted to make it to 30ms for the first time! Then back up to explore the caves at 10ms. Surface in the bubble at 10ms for a voice distorting conversation. Then back out and a bubble blowing competition on the 10m shelf before ascending to 5ms. Change and off into Brussels for much needed lunch and to explore the Grand Square before returning to Eurostar. A wonderful day, lots of fun and fabulous to dive in winter in warm water. Viz a little reduced in the pit due to the number of divers! We had to run two trips to accommodate everyone! Next time we will organise as a weekend with two dives at Nemo 33 and more time to explore Brussels.

	November 2007- Costa Del Silencio, Tenerife Once again we were diving with Sol Divers based at Club Marino, Costa Del Silencio. We enjoyed 4 days of shore dives and 1 day boat diving. There were dives at Playa Parasio (with turtles, including a Kemps Ridley ocean going adventurer), Manazul (wonderful topography, swim throughs and caverns plus lots of interesting marine life), twin wrecks with Atlantic Rays plus of course Abadies and Yellow Mountain. Unfavourable conditions (wind!) prevented us from diving Las Eras (there is always next time) and completing the night dive. On our last day we went whale watching and spotted short fin pilot whales.

	October 2007- Red Sea Liveaboard -MY Infinity 11 divers left to Get Wrecked with us on board MY Infinity. We started with dives just outside Hurghada with a reef and drift dive. Then we set off on our tour which went as far north as Ras Mohommad and covered the classic wrecks including: Thistlegorm, Rosie Lee Muller, Giannis D, Dunraven, Chrisoula K, The Barge, the Kingston and the Hurghada Harbour Wreck. There were opportunities to see morays, spot frog fish plus enjoy our fill of wrecks and Red Sea marine life. MY Infinity is well appointed and Emporer Divers made every effort to ensure we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

	August 2007- Safaga Red Sea Once again a group of us travelled to Safaga, Eygpt to enjoy the diving with Menadive based at the Menaville Hotel. Diving got off to a good start with a sighting of an ornate Ghost Pipefish on our first dive. Our dives included Canon Reef, Salem Express and Shaab Sheer. There was plenty to see at each site and not too many divers in the water! Our best dives were on the last day with two beautiful coral gardens and reefs at Ros Abu Soma and Shaab Shaiman were we had the opportunity to swim along with a large Red Sea Turtle whilst he lunched. During the week there was plenty to see including Napolean Wrasse, Barracuda, Moray Eels, cornet fish, crocodile fish, blue spotted rays and large scorpion fish. Through out the week the water temperature was a constant 28 degrees with visibility above 25m every day. So sunshine, great diving and a relaxing on a dive boat definitely our idea of a holiday. Next time we just need to see the elusive dolphins we could hear on almost every dive.

	PLYMOUTH JULY 28TH AND 29TH 2007 A weekend trip, staying at the Mountbatten Centre and diving with Glenn on Maid Maggie II. After a week of windy weather we dived the Scylla and James Egan Layne on the Saturday and James Egan Layne stern and Great Mew Stone on the Sunday. Viz on the Saturday was around 5m, with the Scylla now covered in Plumose Anemones and jewel anemones completely different from our last dive on her in 2004. The James Egan Layne remains a beautiful wreck with people spotting cuttlefish and John Dory. Viz on the Sunday following a very rainy night was around 3m on the James Egan Layne followed by 10 to 12m on a fast drift round the Great Mew Stones. A very enjoyable weekend with lots of photographic opportunities above and below water! Pictures by Richard Hobson.

	SETT DIVE SUNDAY 13TH MAY 2007 The wind was howling and the rain pouring down when a group of lucky individuals went to Haslar to dive to 30 metres in water with viz of 30 metres and a temperature of 30 degrees. Great fun was had by one and all as the pictures show!!	SETT PICTURES

	THE CUTTLEFISH ARE BACK The sun was shining, the sky was blue, the sea was calm, viz easily 5ms water temperature 13 degrees and the cuttlefish have returned. Spotted today (Saturday 14th April 2007) under the Lifeboat Station at 12.24 p.m.

	FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX We now have a boat! Those of you who have dived previously with Fathom and Blues in Portland will probably recognise her. For those who do not know her Phoenix is a 5.8 metre Ribcraft. The intention is to have our own mooring at East Beach and to run a shuttle service from East Beach out to local dive sites during the summer months. During the winter months we hope to have the use of a mooring at Itchinor when we plan to run a shuttle service out to dive sites in Bracklesham Bay. Phoenix is currently undergoing a service and details of our boat schedule will be available shortly. On Easter Monday we took Phoenix out to the Far Mulberry, a lovely trip with 5 metre viz on the Far Mulberry lumpsuckers, dog fish, wrasse, bass, nudibrachs and lobsters. If you want to dive with us on Phoenix then go to Dive Opportunities and click on Dive Schedule to choose your dive.

	TENERIFE - COSTA DEL SILENCIO - APRIL 2007 We arrived in Tenerife to cloud (why does the English weather keep following us?) to be met by Baz of Sol Divers and transfered to Club Marina. Then followed five days of wonderful diving with bright sunshine and calm seas. There was a mixture of shore and boat diving which offered the opportunity to see a number of sites including Yellow Mountain, Abaties, Black Cover, Sharks Cave, Condesita, Steps and the ray dive outside Las Gallatos. Wonderful underwater topography lots of rays, snappers, parrot fish, file fish, trumpet fish etc. The ray dive was probably every one's favourite (except Baz) as we were joined by a turtle (now christened Donatella). Definitely a ninja turtle this one who has learnt how to steal food from even the best dive guides. Come into the Dive Centre to see the pictures and hear the stories. Congratulations to Donna and Lewis who completed their Advanced Open Water Diver Course and to everyone who completed a significant dive and survived with the addition of the rabbit ears!! Our day off was spent whale and dolphin watching. A wonderful week with excellent diving and great organisation by Sol Divers.

	SAFAGA -MARCH 2007 We left a sunny but very cold and windy UK for six days diving once again with Menadive. This time we managed fifteen dives in six days including two night dives. Water temperature was around 22 degrees and visability was around 20 metres. Dive sites on the inner reef included Gamil Kebir, Gamil Soraya and Seven Pinnacles trips to the outer reefs gave us the opportunity to dive Abu Kafan and Paradise (wonderful drop offs to 80 metres) Shaab Sheer and Salem Express. We enjoyed some wonderful diving with turtles, napolean wrasse, tuna, barracuda and hundreds of reef fish and beautiful corals. On one trip we were joined by a pod of about 30 dolphins playing all around the boat. Somehow we managed to take the wind with us so a bit colder on the surface than expected and lots of complaining from certain members of the team.

	NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC We are proud to annouce that in February we became a PADI National Geographic™ dive centre. This is your opportunity to learn more about exploring the marine environment and conserving our planet. So ask us about National Geographic Open Water Diver or the National Geographic Speciality Course.


	SAFAGA - 2006 15 Dives in 6 days in water of 27/28 degrees and viz of 20-30 metres who could ask for more. 15 of us set out from the UK (on another wet and windy day) to arrive in Hurghada (bright and sunny). A short coach ride latter and we arrived at our destination the Menaville Hotel in Safaga. We dived Abu Kafan, Panarama Reef, Shaab Sheer, Salem Express to name just a few. Beautiful corals, wonderful reef fish and for the lucky few the opportunity to swim with dolphins. Dive time was limited to 90 minutes with a number of people staying down for 90 minutes. The DVD of our day on Panarama Reef will be on show at our next social event on 28th October 2006.