Dive/vis reports and dive spaces 2024

Dive/vis reports: The season has begun despite the grey, dreary weather. We began in the Solent, just off Beaulieu, diving with sea grass researchers on Tuesday 16 April and Wednesday 17 April. Visibility, despite the very good neap, was entirely forgetable at less than half a metee. However, the very next day the water had cleared to a much better 2-3 metres, with the water temperature around 10 degrees.

Dive/vis reports: Saturday 4 May and it’s a bright sunny day with a light breeze from the south-east. We headed off to dive the 1872 wreck of the steamer Lapwing in 40 metres. Vis inshore looked very good, but as we headed some miles south of the Needles, we entered the browny/green water, probably coming from the St Catherine’s area. However, continuing south the water cleared again and we arrived on site. Slack came slightly early but everyone entered the water and enjoyed vis of 5-6 metres in ambient light, though a torch was useful. Plankton is throughout the entire water column but not bad, with the water temperature at 11-12 degrees. The good news is that the May water, also known in these parts as black water (because it is so clear it looks black) has come early, perhaps a good indication we might have a good season. Next day, Sunday 5 May, we were diving in Totland Bay, conducting training and safety drills, in particular, practising recovering incapacited divers from the water to the boat. This proved to be a very worthwhile day as everyone learned quite a lot about what to do and what not to do.

Dive spaces. There are 3 spaces available to dive the 1885 wreck of the steamer Messina in 50 metres on Friday 17 May. Contact the organiser, Jay, on depth.hound@googlemail.com. There are 4 spaces available to dive the WW1 steam tanker Wapello in 33 metres on Saturday 25 May. Contact the organiser, Jaki, on wilson.jaki19@sky.com

Dive spaces: Jaki on wilson.jaki19@sky.com is organising dives on Friday 7 June and Friday 28 June. Wreck in 30 metres or less. Please contact her for details.

Dive/vis reports: On Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 May, we were diving Bouldnor cliff with marine archaeologists. Low water vis on both days, was as expected – low, but the flood tide brought in clearer water to give vis of 2-3 metres. However, the plankton is quite thick this year and thus it was somewhat darker under water. On Friday 17 May we headed offshore to the south-west with another group to dive the wreck of the steamer Messina in 50 metres. Smooth seas and no wind meant a pleasant ride out, and with a superb neap tide we were able to get in the water slightly early. Vis in ambient light was 4-5 metres, with plankton affecting the entire water column. The good news is that the water seems clear of silt, so it’s just the plankton to contend with. This should die back in the next 10 days or so and we then ought to have clear water. Next day, on Saturday 18 May, we again headed west off St Albans Head to dive an unidentified wreck in 50 metres. Similar vis but slightly cloudy topsides meant it was somewhat dark on the wreck. Finally, on Sunday 19 May we dived closer inshore as the slack water was quite late, and dived the WW1 steamer Fluent in 40 metres. On site, the water had a distinctly green hue, and with the plankton thicker and all the way to the bottom, vis was reduced to about 2 metres – diasppointing, to say the least. Water temperature is still hovering around 12°. Three days of calm seas on light winds – now we just want the vis to come good.

Dive/vis reports: Saturday 25 May – and it’s wall to wall sunshine, clear skies, a light breeze, and we’re off to dive the Spyros in 30 metres. Visibility in the Solent didn’t look good but as we left the Needles behind the water colour improved, though it still had a green hue – quite a strong plankton bloom this year, which now ought to die back. Nevertheless, all divers dived the wreck, though the plankton shut out most of the ambient light, so a decent torch was essential. The amount of life associated with the plankton was interesting – masses of tiny creatures living amongst it. We followed this dive with a look at an uncharted, unknwn wreck in shallow water in the western Solent. Quite an interesting dive, though we need better vis to form a better understanding of what’s there. All in all – a good day. Sunday 26 and Monday 27 May were blown out by strong winds.

Dive/vis reports: A week of strong northerlies finally began to ease in time for our dive in the western Solent on Saturday 1 June. The first dive off Totland Bay, surveying the habitat in depths between 18 and 8 metres, was on slack water. The sea state eased when the slack water came and everyone entered the water OK. Vis didn’t look great, with the plankton still being quite thick, giving vis at around a metre. Nevertheless, some good data was collected and a seahorse was photographed clinging on to a sea squirt. When the tide turned conditions worsened in the strong breeze, so we headed to the east of the Needles round the back of the island and dived the chalk reefs off Tennyson. Vis was no better but various samples were collected for analysis. Next day, Sunday 2 June, was entirely different. The wind dropped to zero, there was wall to wall bright sunshine, and only a slight swell. We headed nearly 30 miles south-west to dive the sailing ship wreck Waitara in 60 metres. Here, visibility was great, estimated at at least 12-15 metres in ambient light. The wreck houses many congers and crabs, with plenty of pollack swimmignaround the wreck. Temperature at depth is still fairly low, but in the shallower depths between the surface and 8 or 9 metres it’s up around 14°. Heading back at the end of the dive the water colour gradually changed being green with plankton within 2 or 3 miles of the Needles and in the Solent. There are signs that it is finally dispersing and when it does the vis should be sparkling and clear.

Forthcoming dive spaces: There are spaces on Friday 28 June to dive the ocean-going tug Witte Zee in 33 metres. Ropes off 0815. Second dive included. Contact the organiser, Jaki, on wilson.jaki19@sky.com to secure a space.

Dive/vis reports: Saturday 8 June – and we headed 10 miles south of the Needles to dive the French steamer Azemmour in 38 metres. In the Solent and up to about 2 miles off the Needles, the water is still green, but this improved quite quickly as we headed south, suggesting the plankton is finally clearing and thus giving improved water clarity. Despite overcast conditions and a swell from the east, everyone dived and reported vis in ambient light of 4-5 metres. So far, so good, but below what we’d normally expect in June. Next day, Sunday 9 June, we headed south-east of the Needles to dive the Norwegian steamer Molina in 40 metres. We actually steamed through the decent vis to the wreck site, only to find it wasn’t quite so good here, but do-able, being nearer to St Catherine’s Point. A breezy day with bright sunshine and plenty of white horses, vis was reported at 2-3 metres; nowhere near as good as it should be, and recovery back to the boat wasn’t quite as straightforward as usual due to the wind and sea state. Water temperature is slowly moving upwards but again, it’s taking its time, no doubt due to the cool spring and even cooler early summer.

Dive/vis reports: Saturday 22 June and we were due to dive a mid-Channel wreck, but a westerly force 5 was too much and we scrubbed the day. However, the wind dropped in time for Sunday 23 June, when we headed south to dive the WWII wreck of the MV Dallas City in 60 metres. We had slightly overcast skies but with no wind, though there was a low swell left over from the day before. We arrived on site among the big ships, and dived as the tide slackened off. Vis was reported at a good 12 metres in ambient light. One of the most impressive engines you’ll ever see stands 8 or 9 metres. Water temperature at depth is still somewhat low at 13°. Immature crawfish were spotted – a good sign that these creatures are making a comeback – they were never known to be present until recent years and it would be good to see them properly established.

Dive/vis reports: The unsettled weather continues – Friday 28 June was scrubbed due to strong winds but a trip running out of Haslar Marina on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June went ahead as planned. On the first day, in flat seas and glorious sunshine, we dive the WW1 wreck of the cargo liner Highland Brigade. Vis was rather poor and dark on the wreck but we followed this with a second dive on the WW1 wreck of the steamer Luis, where conditions were much better. Next day in overcast skies and a north-westerly breeze, we headed for the WW1 wreck of the armed trawler Apley in about 35 metres. Vis once again wasn’t great at about 2.5 metres, but information was gained on the wreck – it’s upside down, bows blown off and stern missing. After this we headed inshore to complete a WW1 weekend, on the remains of the German U-boat UB-21, where, perversely, visibility was better. Although the east side of the Island isn’t renowned for great vis, considering we’re now mid-summer, vis was somewhat disappointing. On Monday 1 July, diving with a different group, we headed south-west of the Needles to investigate a seabed anomaly which looked distinctly wreck-like. In the event it was an unusual geological feature and not a wreck. Sea state was most uncomfortable and we then headed inshore to investigate another unknown feature, where a local fisherman had snagged some of his gear. this time, it was a wreck! OK, it was a modern GRP motor boat, completely upside down, complete with upturned keel, propeller and trim tabs, about 20-25 feet in length. The snagged rope was released so the fishing gear can be recovered. For the rest of the week, from Tuesday 2 to Sunday 7 July, – it’s all been scrubbed due to strong winds.

Dive/vis reports: Thursday 11 June to Friday 13 June saw us diving on Bouldnor Cliff in the Solent. The first day was warm and sunny though the vis was still poor, but the next day, despite a strong wind, vis had improved to 3 metres as the very good neap tide came into effect. By Friday however, the strong blow continued and vis deteriorated on the low water but improved again on the flood tide to 2-3 metres. The plankton has largely dissipated now and we should have some decent vis. Saturday 14 June saw near gale conditions which abated somewhat into Sunday 15th, but too much wind for diving and the weekend was blown out. On Monday 16 June we were back on Bouldnor Cliff where vis was an acceptable 2-3 metres. For the next two days, Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 June, we were diving the protected wreck site of HMS Hazardous in Bracklesham Bay. With weather conditions far more favourable and with an offshire breeze, vis was easily 4-5 metres in calm seas -and more importantly, hardly any plankton.

Dive/vis reports: It’s been a hectic fortnight with continuous diving since Monday 8 July to Friday 14 July, surveying various sea grass sites in the Solent. As soon as the neap tide came on, vis improved dramatically to about 3 metres, very good for the shallow waters off Beaulieu. On Saturday 13 July, wreck diving resumed and in flat seas we headed south-west to dive the WWII wreck of the Great Lakes steamer, Albert C Field. As sometimes happens, we steamed through the good vis to reach vis which wasn’t quite so good, but it was 3-4 metres with a torch. Next day, Sunday 14 July, divers from SeaSearch explored the Outer Tinker reef off Colwell Bay, where vis was around 2-3 metres. They followed this with a dive east of Yarmouth on sea grass beds. On Monday 15 July, in grey skies and torrential rain, marine archaeologists continued to dive on Bouldnor Cliff, and again on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 July. The improving neap tide gave very good vis for this part of the Solent, sometimes in the region of 4-5 metres.

Back to wreck diving again on Friday 19 July, in glorious sunshine and flat seas, we headed south east to dive the WW1 wreck of the steamer Asborg in 30 metres. Vis was again good at 5-6 metres in ambient light. A second dive on the steamer War Knight also resulted in good vis of 3-4 metres. On Saturday 20 July we again headed south-east off St Catherine’s Point to dive the WW1 wreck of the steamer Redesmere in 38 metres. Although skies were overcast vis was a good 6 metres in ambient light. Finally, on Sunday 21 July and heading to the south-east once more off St Catherine’s Point we dived the WW1 wreck of the steamer South Western in 38 metres. Vis was slightly lower than the day before but still good at 5 metres. The wreck was covered in fish. Now – a few days off the carry out some maintenance!

Dive/vis reports: Sunday 28 July and the weather is glorious – warm, bright and sunny with a gentle breeze. We headed south-west to dive the WW1 steamer Venezuela in 27 metres. As we’re just on the back end of a big spring tide, we didn’t expect fantastic vis, but it was in the region of 3-4 metres and everyone completed the dive safely. Following this we headed inshore to dive the WW1 wreck of the steamer War Knight, a perpetual favourite. Still in favourable weather conditions, divers reported vis in the region of 2-3 metres.

Dive/vis reports. On Tuesday 30 July, with the wind dropped and bright sunny skies, we headed 32 miles south of the Needles to dive the German light cruiser Nurnberg in 60 metres. What a dive! Vis in excess of 20 metres with one of the divers reporting that, while decompressing at 21 metres he could see his SMB on the surface. There was a small amount of plankton in the upper levels but below that, the water was gin-clear and the dive was conducted in ambient light. Definitely one to remember.

Dive/vis reports: Friday 2 August and we’re heading south-east of the Neeldes to dive the WWII wreck of the submarine HMS Swordfish. Warm, sunny day with a swell from the west, we arrived on site and in went the shot. Vis on the wreck was 3-4 metres and slightly silty, and somewhat dark. Nevertheless everyone came up enthusiastic about the dive and wanting to return. We headed inshore as the breeze picked up and sought the shelter of the Solent, where a second dive saw us visit an unknown, uncharted wreck in shallo water, possibly something left over from the Second World War. We’re not sure whether it’s a barge or some sort of landing pontoon, but more diving is needed to find out what it is. Saturday 3 August was blown out by strong winds, but conditions improved damatically for Sunday 4 August, when once again we headed south-east of the Needles to dive the WWII barrage balloon vessel, HMS Borealis in 40 metres. Vis wasn’t as good as on Friday, with more silt in the water, but everyone remained on the wreck, remarking on the high number and inquisitiveness of the congers, which seemed to be everywhere. Water temperature has risen and is now around 16/17°.

Dive/vis reports. Saturday 10 August was blown out – south-westerly 5 off St Catherine’s is too much, but on Sunday 11 August we were able to get out in better weather conditions. The plan was to dive the later tide, but a forecast of east to south-easterly winds of force 4-6 for the afternoon forced us to go for the early tide instead. Accordingly we headed for the Dutch schooner Fenna in 23 metres, in bright skies and a gentle breeze. As we were on the back end of a spring tide, and diving low water, vis wasn’t expected to be great but it was not too bad at around 2 metres. This was much improved on the flood tide, which brings in clearer water, with vis of around 3-4 metres on the War Knight. Water temperature is now around 18°.

Dive spaces. Friday 6 September – intending to dive the recently located wreck of the WW1 schooner Florence Louisa in about 37 metres. Anyone interested – please let me know.

More dive spaces: Monday 19 August. An easy day – nothing deeper than 30 metres – will dive from these wrecks: Fenna in 23, Venezuela in 27, Spyros and Borgny in 30. Second dive included. Contact me for details and to book.

Sunday 1 September. Diving the Train Set in 37 metres. Remains of two steam trains with what’s left of their wagons – a very interesting dive. Second dive – a drift across the wreck-strewn Atherfield Ledge, sea and weather conditions permitting.

Friday 6 September. Diving the WW1 schooner Florence Louisa in 37 metres – contact me for details.

Dive/vis reports: From Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 August we were diving Bouldnor Cliff again, continuing the archaeological work. With a brilliant neap tide, vis was around 5-6 metres, about as good as it gets in this part of the Solent. On Saturday 17 August we returned to wreck diving and headed south-east of the Needles to dive the WWII armed trawler Warwick Deeping in 36 metres. Vis was an excellent 8 metres in ambient light, though there was some plankton in the upper levels. A second dive on the rarely visited steamer Castle Crag in 9-10 metres was conducted in lower vis, being closer inshore, but this is a good rummage dive. On Sunday 18 August, again heading to the south-east of the Needles, we aimed for the 1884 wreck of the large sailing ship Simla in 40 metres. A very good dive with plenty to see, it’s a wreck divers want to visit again. For a second dive we sought shelter in Alum Bay and dived the 1811 remains of HMS Pomone. On Monday 19 August in overcast skies we steamed south of the Needles this time to dive one of the favourite sites, the SS Spyros in 30 metres. Vis was still quite good at 4-5 metres but would have been much improved had the sun been shining. This is another wreck where divers want to take another look. Water temperature has probably peaked now at 19°.

Dive spaces: There are dive spaces as follows:

Thursday 29 August. Diving the armed trawler Warwick Deeping, 36 metres to the seabed, wreck stands 4 metres. Second dive included. Meet around 1030 to leave 1115. Contact me or the organiser, Jaki, on wilson.jaki19@sky.com

Friday 6 September. Diving the WW1 schooner Florence Louisa in 37 metres. Second dive included. Meet around 10 to leave 1045. Contact me to book on.

Dive/vis reports: On Thursday 29 August, taking advantage of a good weather forecast, we headed off to dive the WWII armed trawler Warwick Deeping., south-east of the Needles With wall-to-wall sunshine and clear skies, things looked promising, but sea conditions turned out to be worse than predicted, with a sloppy/lumpy sea state making life somewhat uncomfortable. However, the shot was deployed, landing in the stern, and on slack water, everyone got in. Surprisingly, large clumps of plankton have appeared, unusual for this time of year, reducing the amount of ambient light, but vis was still estimated in the 5-7 metres range. Wanting to find calmer waters for a second dive, we returned to the Needles and into Alum Bay where we dived the 1811 wreck of HMS Pomone. While divers were down, the breeze and swell picked up, which made recovery after the dive interesting – in conditions like that there’s a risk of being blown across a very shallow reef, which obviously has to be avoided! Anyway, another good day out.

Dive/vis reports: Fresh to strong north-easterlies blew us out on Saturday 31 August and though the picture improved for Sunday 1 September, it didn’t reduce in time for the trip out to the wreck, and that was canned too. Anyone who’s been out even in moderate easterlies knows it produces a most uncomfortable sea state, and with 4’s to 6’s forecast, discretion was the better part of valour…

Dive/vis reports: The indifferent September continues – dull, cool, dreary wet weather for all 3 days – but it hasn’t stopped the diving. On Friday 6 September, with the sea as flat as a pancake, we headed off the Needles to dive the WW1 schooner Florence Louisa. Surprisingly the vis was pretty good at 5-6 metres in ambient light, at a depth of 38 metres. Masses of congers on this wreck, some free-swimming, and lots of shellfish. We still need to 100% prove this is the wreck we think it is, but it’s in the right area and of the right size so we’re confident of its identity. Next day, Saturday 7 September, was an inshore day, easy diving on the WW1 steamer War Knight off Watcombe Bay, where once again vis was very good at 5 metres. There’s still some plankton in the upper part of the water column but vis was described as among the best there’s been of late. We followed this with another shallow wreck dive on the 1896 stranding of the Joannis Millas. As the ebb tide had begun vis was slightly reduced but still 2-3 metres. Finally on Sunday 8 September with SeaSearch divers on board, we dived an area of rough ground off Chilton Chine, Isle of Wight, with vis still holding up to 5-6 metres, very good for an inshore site. Lots of marine life – both flora and fauna – were spotted for later identification. The second dive was off Blackgang Chine, near Rocken End, in some very rough ground varying in depth from 7 to over 20 metres. The bonus was we were accompanied by a pair of dolphins, which came quite close to the shot line at times, as well as a sighting of another dolphin in Alum Bay.

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