Events 2018
Branch led Open water diving expeditions and instruction courses for 2018
Any precise listing of diving events in and around our shores is fraught with unpredictable weather conditions. The tides we can deal with, the weather has a mind of its own and for safe diving, times and locations of expeditions are adjusted accordingly. Nowadays, last minute communications about planned diving expeditions are made by the Dive Manager via text messaging or wattsapp.
The emphasis is on safe diving. Plan the dive and dive the plan.
This year’s list of events is a broad overview of envisaged expeditions and locations. Otherwise, expeditions will be planned and expedited by experienced Divers in consultation with the diving officer and members’ wish list for dives and locations.
JANUARY:
27th: First Aid Course, BSAC Skill Development Course.
FEBRUARY:
Ocean Diver pool training will continue and ad hoc shore / boat Diving will be arranged, weather permitting.
MARCH:
10/11th: A diver training weekend At Portaferry, with overnight accommodation, is scheduled for 10/11th March. This will include a Rescue management course and Open Water practical assessments as required. All active divers are encouraged to attend the Rescue Management Course either as an initial or refresher, before the main diving season begins
18th: Expedition to Mullaghmore to start the season, all grades are encouraged to attend
APRIL:
1st/2nd: Expeditions to the wreck of the SS Kallopis s off Downings and the SV Gallic off Melmore Head will be arranged.
5th: BSAC’s Ireland Region Club’s Evening @ the BBC NI’s Blackstaff House in Belfast. (The speakers will be John Chambers, Dr Mark Palmer and Phil Alberts.)
22nd April: An expedition to Hunter’s Rock to explore the SS State of Louisiana: launching from Ballylumford.
MAY:
6th May: Expedition to the SS Laurentic at the mouth of lough Swilly is planned, but is always weather dependant.
25th to 27th May: The club’s annual expedition to Burtonport in Co Donegal. This is highly recommended for newly qualified Ocean Divers. Abundant and varied scenic diving in sheltered locations is available for all diver grades.
21st: Pool access at the Grove Wellbeing Centre finishes for the summer.
JUNE:
3rd: Expeditions to the wreck of the SS Bangor with follow up dives to Inner Lees and other locations in the lough.
10th June: Expedition to Rathlin Island, launching from Ballycastle. First stop, a dive on the SS Loughgarry with a follow up dive on HMS Drake / MFV Ella Hewett in Church bay. Refreshments are available on shore.
17th June: A dive off Malin head is planned for the trawler William Manell. Portstewart harbour is the most convenient launch site for the 7 mile boat ride to the wreck site.
Late afternoon and early evening shore diving will be arranged at various locations.
29th: The club’s traditional “holiday diving” expedition to Gozo: Lots of opportunities for wet suit diving in clear waters for all grades of divers. Non divers and family members most welcome. Members travel and accommodation to be arranged on an individual basis.
JULY:
12th to 15th July: following the Gozo expedition, ad hoc arrangements will enable keen divers to launch various expeditions to Donegal: Mullaghmore, Killybegs, and St John’s Point etc.
29th July: an expedition is scheduled to the wreck of the Dutch Motor coaster MV Karanan located near the Copeland Islands. Whitehead is the most convenient launch site.
Late afternoon and early evening shore diving will be arranged at various locations.
AUGUST:
5th August: a scenic dive for all diver grades is scheduled to explore the gullies around Gun’s Island near Ballyhornan in Co Down, followed by bottle searches at Audley’s Point and other locations in Strangford lough.
12th August: The diving officer will lead the Club’s experienced divers to the deep wreck of the SS Tiberia which lies off black head in Belfast Lough.
19th August: Boat diving expeditions to the SS Georgetown Victory, Marfield Bay and SS Empire Tana (Lee’s wreck) are scheduled for all diver grades.
SEPTEMBER:
In September we return to Ad hoc diving expeditions under the supervision of the diving officer: weather permitting.
OCTOBER:
5th: The club’s annual live aboard diving expedition to Scotland to explore the wrecks in the Sound of Mull. The live aboard departing from and returning to Oban: with a likely visit to scenic Tobbermory on the Island of Mull.
8th October: Commencement of autumn and winter Pool access at the Grove Wellbeing Centre.
Try dives and enrolment for the BSAC Ocean Diver courses can be arranged by contacting the Club via email.
NOVEMBER:
Ocean Diver training and BSAC Skill Development courses continue.
DECEMBER:
Ocean Diver theory exams and Xmas party and ballot.
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