We have a limited number of spaces for people to learn to dive in 2015. If you aren’t sure if scuba diving is for you we offer a try-dive session in a heated indoor pool. If you subsequently join we will reduce the cost of your membership by the cost of the try-dive (£15).
Author: Alex Gibson
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Dive Schedule 2015
We welcome BSAC divers to join us, space permitting, on our dive boat Endeavour (for insurance reasons we cannot host non-BSAC divers: although if you join either our branch, another branch or BSAC Direct you can dive with us). Below are our planned dives for 2015, departing from Weymouth marina (except the IOW trip in July). If you are interested in joining a dive please use the link to contact the relevant dive manager who will be able to give you more information / reserve you a spot on the boat.
Regarding depths: most days there will be one deeper dive and one shallower dive. So if you only want to do the shallower dive then that may be possible (subject to space on the boat). Contact the dive manager to find out if they are happy with this.
We are also planning expeditions outside of Weymouth – details of those will be posted on the website in due course (currently weeks in Plymouth in Devon, Porthkerris in Cornwall and a Red Sea liveaboard are planned).
TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE CONTACT THE RELEVANT DIVE MANAGER:
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We’ve won the Heinke Trophy!!
Oxford BSAC Chairman Andy White receiving the Heinke Trophy at the BSAC Diving Conference It is official – Oxford BSAC have won BSAC’s award for the branch of the club which has done the most to further the interests of its members and the BSAC as a whole, The Heinke Trophy.
The judges singled out some major achievements during the year: the purchase of our new hardboat; replacement of our HP compressor; integration of a vibrant snorkelling division; our try-dive programme.
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Heinke Trophy 2012 – Oxford’s Entry
Oxford BSAC put forward a submission detailing all the work done in the best interests of both branch members and BSAC overall. It was a busy year and so the submission ran to some 88 pages! The file can be downloaded by anyone using this link (ignore the warning about Google not being able to scan it for viruses – the file is fine): Click the “Download” button found on the following page: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8C4idjXi1J1NU43YUpvQlE5d1E/edit?usp=sharing(It is a quite large file – 32mb, so people need to be patient while it downloads if they don’t have a fast connection).You can find out more about the Heinke Trophy here: http://www.bsac.com/page.asp?section=1817 -
Endeavour – Dive Testing Complete
After the disappointment of the steering failure the previous weekend it was very satisfactory to get Endeavour in use again. Thanks have to go to Steven Litchfield who went down to the coast in the week to fit the new steering cable and give us confidence in organising a small party to go down at the weekend. So what was she like?
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Fast, Stable, Spacious and Fun… but
Finally at sea and looking good, it seemed too good to be true. Unfortunately – for one weekend anyway – it was..!
After many late nights and several early mornings by those willing to help, Endeavour finally left for the coast last Thursday morning. Boats Officer John Waterhouse met the transport in Southampton where Endeavour was craned into the water for the first time. On Saturday John, Richard Fraser and Maurice Elway took her around to Weymouth and onto our mooring for the first time.
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Speaker’s Night: Andy Torbet
Thursday 19 April 2012 @ 8pm – Oxford BSAC clubhouseAndy Torbet: Extreme Diver, Climber, Adventurer, Zoologist and Presenter
Extreme Britain – The first instalment
Andy Torbet, having spent last year championing micro-adventures for beginners in the UK, will be discussing one of this year’s projects; showcasing just how extreme adventures can get in the British Isles.
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Endeavour – after purchase in 2012
Our current dive boat is a 2006 Procharter P3 called Endeavour. She is fitted with a 320 bhp stern drive and capable of 20-30kn.
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Our New Hardboat is here!
We have now taken delivery of our new dive boat, an as-yet unnamed Procharter P3 with a 320 bhp diesel engine. This boat has only done 200 hours since it was built in 2006 and has been out of the water for some time. It needs a bit of a clean (as you can see in these photos) but that aside it looks virtually brand new.
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Perseverance
Perseverance is a 7m RIB. She is not actually our own boat, we have her on loan from the 1st Standlake & Cokethorpe Sea Scout Group after agreeing to overhaul and maintain her.
Capable of 30-40 knots and carrying 8-10 divers she is a highly useful boat. Here are some photos from sea trials on the Solent following maintainence.