Night Dive - 21 June - Dover.

[Richie]

Originally Posted by Andy the Commie

Richie,

I maybe not aware, but TAURUS DIVING does lots of exercise with the Dover Lifeboat and i'm well known with the Dover Coastguard, I'm the main dive boat at Dover and do a lot of evening and night dives. The coastguards always know when i'm out diving as they get told by VHF. ( unlike the 9 dive boats this weekend - when one had a problem ).

Having a chat recently to some coastguard and lifeboat crewman, a question was ask to me .

" If divers carry torches, wouldn't these be better at night for signalling and for us to find them if lost ".

My reply was " erhh NO ".

Reason being is that Torch batteries go flat or bulbs break ( even known it on standby ones ).

I cylume night stick lasts up to 12 hours, now this is a good glow time for the dark winter months as well.

They know , that if i ever have to report a lost diver at night, they are mainly looking for a LIME coloured glow stick.

Night dives the shot is always left in with a RED glow stick , this is very useful for any other vessel that may be called in for a search as it gives them a datum point to work from.
Also boat crews know that if a RED one is found away from the shot, it could have a diver under it or free floating with just a reel,,,,,,,, LIFEBOATS are like other boats and can get a fouled prop.

For the sake of a couple of quid , they are far better in my mind , then some strobe type gizbo , tie wrapped to ya inflator hose, also same opinion of some of the dover Lifeboat crew that have seen them .

I have always relied on assorted torches and one of those irritating little strobes if needed.
Then again I have never had to dive in busy shipping lanes at night - usually shore based or way back around salmon cages in Scotland where there was always a "helpful" boat handler keeping a wary eye in between fags and tea.
I think I'll get some of these Cyalumes - they could prove useful

[Andy the Coastie]

Originally Posted by Richie

I have always relied on assorted torches and one of those irritating little strobes if needed.
Then again I have never had to dive in busy shipping lanes at night - usually shore based or way back around salmon cages in Scotland where there was always a "helpful" boat handler keeping a wary eye in between fags and tea.
I think I'll get some of these Cyalumes - they could prove useful

How this came about down here is ,,,,,,,

That off Dover we have a high amount of shipping movements.... the amount of LIGHT SIGHTINGS we get to investigate is unbeliveable.

liferings are the main one , being thrown off the ferries or passing ships losing them......

so, easier to make a diver glow like one , rather than a lifebaot chasing a strobe light from a dick head 1/2 pi**ed up on a ferry who throws a light over the side for kicks.

[Paul Oliver]

Originally Posted by Andy the Commie

Group A consisted of 2 Canterbury Divers, both have more hours than anyone else i know on the Loanda.

Thats what you get for spending a couple of years salvaging her at every opportunity