Good Farnes Charter Skipper?

[MATTBIN]

Originally Posted by Steve W

For nightime food the Craster Arms (ironically in Beadnell not Craster!) is well worth a visit

Go with that.
Matt

[Allan Carr]

Originally Posted by Steve W

Yes, I've heard that from several sources in the past, so this isn't an isolated criticism. They seem to be doing very well out of divers these days though...

I have some other stories about their recent activities which I can't really put on a public board. Suffice it to say that they would be rather wirrying to most divers. The Shiels' won't do Whirl Rocks either or go in close on the Knivestone - only Farne Diving Services and Sovereign do that. The skippers are cousins by the way.

[Allan Carr]

Originally Posted by Steve W

For nightime food the Craster Arms (ironically in Beadnell not Craster!) is well worth a visit

We found the Beadnell Towers Hotel just down from the Craster Arms to be even better this year. Not only is the food very good (more Gourmet than the Craster Arms but reasonably priced), but they also have proper Real Ale not just this b***** keg stuff.

[Ron Young]

Originally Posted by Allan Carr

I have some other stories about their recent activities which I can't really put on a public board. Suffice it to say that they would be rather wirrying to most divers. The Shiels' won't do Whirl Rocks either or go in close on the Knivestone - only Farne Diving Services and Sovereign do that. The skippers are cousins by the way.

Hi Guys,
The Shiel boats are generally used as trip boats and the skippers have no idea about diving.
Stick with the reliable good dive-charter boats, ie.,
Stan Hall and his son Lee (Farne Diving Services),
Sovereign, run by Ian Douglas's sons;
Wave Dancer run by Colin Rutter who was an ex trawlerman;
And of course Graeme Harrison with his big RIB (with a cabin on), Graeme is also a diver.

Stan Hall's sister Ailsa married Ian Douglas (an ex trawlerman). Ian run one of Stan's boats for a couple of years then started his own charter business with Sovereign Diving. With his son, they expanded the business by buying another boat and the Lodge at North Sunderland which was owned by Selby Brown for about 25yrs. They also went into some kind of deal with Deep Blue from Tynemouth using a dive/shop unit at North Sunderland.
Unfortunately Ian died about 2-3 years ago and his sons have carried on the business.
(North Sunderland is the old village where the Lodge is situated and Seahouses harbour used to be the old North Sunderland harbour)

Cheers Ron

[dave archer]

Another vote for Soveriegn from me.

Stayed and dived with them twice, all good, though as someone mentioned best get tomorrow's tanks prepared the night before if possible. One of the skippers, Alan (I think) can get a bit shirty if late fills (from his shop) make him late leaving harbour.

Also with Soveriegn you might get the collie dog on the boat - he's a good laugh as he keeps watch on divers over the side, and counts you all back in

Dave.

[Dr Stevil]

Originally Posted by dave archer

Another vote for Soveriegn from me.

Stayed and dived with them twice, all good, though as someone mentioned best get tomorrow's tanks prepared the night before if possible. One of the skippers, Alan (I think) can get a bit shirty if late fills (from his shop) make him late leaving harbour.

Andy and Toby are the skippers, Ailsa is their mum, who runs the shop, other family members are also involved in the diving and accommodation sides of the outfit. IIRC I think Mstt had a bit of a wrongsided encounter regarding nitrox fills

Also with Soveriegn you might get the collie dog on the boat - he's a good laugh as he keeps watch on divers over the side, and counts you all back in

Dave.

Bud the Northumberland collie, highly entertaining gets very worried at people jumping off his boat

[SCUBA Chick]

Originally Posted by Allan Carr

We found the Beadnell Towers Hotel just down from the Craster Arms to be even better this year. Not only is the food very good but they also have proper Real Ale not just this b***** keg stuff.

Shhhhhhh, keep this quiet as I don't want Scubanut finding this out before our farnes gig next year...he get's seasick without having the night before on the real ale

Scubachick

[Scubanut]

Originally Posted by scubachick1972

Shhhhhhh, keep this quiet as I don't want Scubanut finding this out before our farnes gig next year...he get's seasick without having the night before on the real ale

Scubachick

Spanking due on this one darling............

Got to swill the North Sea outta ones gob with something, what better way to do it.....

mmmmm real ale and good food, what more could one want, erm the list is endless actually, too long to go on here


Seasick with those things the Doc gave me, just got to remember to take them before the sea gets rough!!!

Scubanut

[dave archer]

Originally Posted by Steve W

Andy and Toby are the skippers, Ailsa is their mum, who runs the shop, other family members are also involved in the diving and accommodation sides of the outfit. IIRC I think Mstt had a bit of a wrongsided encounter regarding nitrox fills

Andy not Alan, you're quite right Steve, thanks. Top guy when he's not stressed

Originally Posted by Steve W

Bud the Northumberland collie, highly entertaining gets very worried at people jumping off his boat

Indeed Though he lost a few friends when he was so concerned he cocked a leg over our 2nd dive tanks last time

[MATTBIN]

Originally Posted by Steve W

Andy and Toby are the skippers, Ailsa is their mum, who runs the shop, other family members are also involved in the diving and accommodation sides of the outfit. IIRC I think Mstt had a bit of a wrongsided encounter regarding nitrox fills


Bud the Northumberland collie, highly entertaining gets very worried at people jumping off his boat

For those that missed it last time round,
I arrived at the shop post dive and asked for a Nitrox fill, I was happy to wait, but they told me to come back in the morning pre-dive. I thought that it might be cutting it fine but agreed to do as I was told, not asked. So next day after breakfast, where my table was served last, I drove off to the shop, which was closed, several people waiting around, including Driftwood and a couple of others. I called the number on the door and a few minutes later one of the 'boys' turned up. I was going to take my tanks as was, without an analysis, but Drifty asked for one and I thought it a good idea too, even though Helen (Porg) had an analyser (I think Rick - Frogman had his too, his own manufacture). Anyway, the skipper decided to get all shirty and complain he didnt have time and we/I should have got the tank(s) filled the previous night. A bit of a discussion ensued and I ended up taking them un-analysed even though I had to sign the book or else not take them at all, or replace the Nitrox with air but they couldnt do it there and then as we were by now getting close to sail-away time. In the end Helen analysed them, they were close enough. Ruined what should have been a good day out really.

But you may be luckier than I was on this trip, I know I can be a miserable hard to please old git at times. I felt really sorry for Dave as he had done a great job of organising the trip.

My first Farnes trip, the previous year, stands out as one of the best weekends ever so I'll go again I suppose but I doubt I'll use Sovereign or indeed they will have me.

One more disagreement with others here though is that I dont like that bleedin dog either, jumps all over the kit.

And all that was after the disaster that was the 'Ship' the night before!!
Matt