plymouth sound divers rib

[markbsac]

hi booked a couple of days rib diving with sound divers in plymouth..going out on a rib skippered by a guy called ray.....any info on this rib and skipper.im well chuffed as they are prepared to take just the 2 of us out,as its midweek diving.

[Redeemer]

hi

we just thought we'd would let you know - we recently had to rescue these guys your asking about off the manacles on easter friday.

my partner and i operate a dive charter from falmouth, bay marine, we had a boat full of divers in the water when we noticed the rib plymouth sound divers were in had engine trouble, even though they knew the engine was playing up they still proceeded to let their divers go in the water! the fog was closing in and the wind picking up, and the sea was becoming rather uncomfortable, hence everyone else retrieving their divers.

they put out a mayday to the coastguard as they had drifted so far away from their divers and were not far from going up on the rocks. they had no anchor, flares, secondary engine - in fact no safety equipment whatsoever.

we went to their rescue and when going alongside we had to throw them a line as they never had any and then the skipper couldn't even tie a bowline, once they were secure we had to tow them to recover 2 of their divers and as the other 2 of their divers were to near the rocks Porthkerris divers in their RIB had to recover the remaining 2.

we towed them all the way back to falmouth even though they launched near the manacles - at one stage they asked if we would drop them off from where they launched, even though it would have caused damage to our vessel. we can only say it was the most stupid thing we have ever seen for a very long time and the manacles is not a forgiving place for such behaviour.

we asked them their name and they said plymouth sound divers which we believe are part of the mounbatten centre.

we do not wish to slate any other dive charter company but we feel such behaviour needs to be made aware off, for everybodys safety.

[resting rifleman]

asked and answered ?

[Adrian Kelland]

we do not wish to slate any other dive charter company but we feel such behaviour needs to be made aware off, for everybodys safety.

If this was a commercial boat, then they should be reported. Plain and simple AFAIAC. If not, then they should have been given a good talking to.

Could be a bit of confusion here re diving setups in Plymouth.

There is a Plymouth Sound branch of BSAC, based at the Mountbatten Centre.

There is also a dive business called Sound Diving, based on Queen Anne's Battery. I don't know if they run boats, but would expect so.

Deep Blue also run a couple of RIBS, plus I think there are a couple of other commercial RIBs. Plus other dive shops.

Adrian

[Cussy]

Mark
Beginning to feel glad I haven't got a buddy to join the trip!
Rob

[markbsac]

well done cussy...dont worry me and ken will manage.!!!!!!

however i think they have rays boat and the boat of the bsac branch confused..ive looked on the web site and they follow all the correct criteria and carry the required legal equipment for a rib charter..i will ring them tomorrow to clarify this and ask them to take a look at this forum to answer reply if they so desire.

as stated above there is bsac sound divers..bsac branch.....

and plymouth sound divers.dive shop..ray has many years experience as a diver and as a charter skipper to think he could'nt tie a bowline would absolutely astound me....even i can do that and im landlocked and crap at knots

[Andy the Coastie]

Originally Posted by Adrian Kelland

If this was a commercial boat, then they should be reported. Plain and simple AFAIAC. If not, then they should have been given a good talking to.

I'm with you Ade, i have to spread green around , so one's in the wood for you.

If it's a commercial RhIB, then it would be fully fitted out with full SOLAS equipment plus the MCA requirements. PLUS the skipper would a commercially endorsed seamans cert........ fcuk me , even my kids can tie a bowline.


Sounds very much like a club RhIB to me .

[markbsac]

http://www.sounddiving.co.uk/index.htm

[Andy the Coastie]

Originally Posted by markbsac

http://www.sounddiving.co.uk/index.htm

FUCKING HELL

Take up golf , if i was you ............

10 years as a skipper and can't tie a cub scout knot.

perhaps there was a standin RhIB driver that day

[markbsac]

i think it should be left at that untill sound diving can reply...ive sent them the link to this forum so that they can post a reply.

mark