Boat

Returning to port from the western Solent

The dive boat Wight Spirit is a Starfish 34, 10.2 metres in length, operating from Lymington. She is powered by a 6.8 litre, 350 horsepower turbo charged engine. Normal cruising speed when loaded is around 11 knots.

Underway to the dive site, diving on slack water and coming back aboard

Wight Spirit is licensed for 10 persons and is equipped with all safety gear, from first aid kit to 12 man liferaft. She is licensed under the MCA Code of Practice category 2 (60 miles from a safe haven) and fully insured. She is well equipped with modern electronics, including radar, SeeMe radar transponder, 2 VHF radios and GMDSS, 3 colour echo sounders, DGPS and GPS, 2 colour chart plotters, side scan sonar, magnetometer and TV.

Optimum deck space is available through the provision of oak side benches, upon which divers sit and kit up, with space beneath for bags and boxes. Additional storage space and benches are fitted on the engine cover. The bench arrangements mean that 10 divers can be fully kitted and seated all at the same time. Sitting space for at least 7 persons in shelter under a large canopy is available outside the wheelhouse, while the wheelhouse itself can sit 8. Dry bags are stowed in the wheelhouse or forepeak.

An electric lift is fitted on a gantry at the stern. Entry to the water is through the removable transom door – just walk through and enter the water feet first! Recovery is safe and simple even when the sea conditions are less than ideal. Just stand on the platform which will be lowered to four feet below the surface, hold on to the hand rails and you’ll be winched up to deck level. Walk into the boat and sit on one of the benches to de-kit. Usually, assistance will be given until you are seated.

Other features include – a mask bucket, a trough to stow weightbelts, a stern fitted heaving line to pull you in when conditions demand, a floating lifeline which runs at water level from bow to stern – useful to guide youself to the stern lift and a rope with stainless steel ring and clip if you want to take kit off in the water – I’ll lift it inboard. The toilet is fitted outside the wheelhouse.

A folder is openly available in the wheelhouse, detailing most of the wrecks, together with photographs and their circumstances of loss.

A 24 litre cylinder of medical oxygen is kept on board and is sufficient to support a maximum of 4 divers at the same time (2 on demand valves and 2 on oxygen masks – I know it works as I’ve had 3 divers on it together). There is no charge if it is necessary to use oxygen – if I think you may be affected by decompression sickness, it’s the best treatment I can give you.  I’ll notify the Coastguard and discuss the situation with the diving doctor, and if it’s necessary you’ll be lifted of by helicopter.  If it turns out you haven’t got decompression sickness, no harm is done.

Finally, there are ample supplies of tea and coffee – and a microwave oven to heat up your meals.

Approaching the Needles from the south east, the Needles and Sun Corner, and Wight Spirit on her berth.