Friday Fun - SS Carmen dive off Dover

[Paul Oliver]

After a bit of worrying over the weather we were on for today’s dive out of Dover on Neptune organised by Andy Mumford, the target was the Liberty ship SS Sambut but the viz on site did not look great, so on Gerry’s (G Wizz) suggestion we went on to the SS Carmen, where the water looked very good and much better for the extra few miles travelling out

The Carmen is a big freighter that sits upright proud and intact in 45m and is well up amongst my favourite dives.

Slack was very late so as we waited around a few stories were told and as we had some very experienced channel wreckers on the boat there was some interesting stuff, one conversation went “So how many Bell’s have you got then” answer “10” smug grin “Ahh I beat you by one, I have 11” Answer “Well I’d best get another today then”

Also a quite scary one from Nigel, who does our bottle cleaning and inspections for damn good prices about how he was adrift in the Channel for 9 ½ hours after coming up away from the shot, his buddy had passed out during this so he tied him too him, and carried on drifting, he was finally spotted by a Rescue Helicopter that had given up the search but wheeled above him as they turned to wave goodbye to the staff in the Dover Coastguard station, and spotted them.

Anyway back on site we finally got in the water and had some very nice light viz with about 8m. Dave had been smack on with the shot again, landing it on the bridge at the highest point within a foot or so of the point he landed it last time out. I landed to see two portholes being bagged up and another waiting for the same treatment

Once we got to the wreck I was reeling off as we have to come back up the shot line in this VERY busy part of the shipping lanes, I was buddied up with Blanaid and we had a plan based on 40 min at 40m, also with us was one of my club Carl who was on a single 15L and was going to head back up ahead of us on about 20 min. Blan however once she got down did not feel right so aborted and went straight back up.

So a good rummage we had around the superstructure, I squeezes through a gap to swim along a corridor that ran along the side of the superstructure, Carl joined me at the end and we dropped into the hold behind the bridge hitting the bottom in a silty and very dark 40m.

Back up and along the corridor again having a good look for spidge, we rummaged the bridge again till Carl headed up and I had the last 15 min by myself, which was very enjoyable and relaxing So rather regretfully I left this really outstanding wreck for some deco, switching to my 66% at 12m.

Soon afterwards we had the sound of a VERY big ship coming very close and all 3 of us on the line were frantically looking around for a fast approaching bow. The noise was so load we were actually vibrating with it It turned out a very big freighter passed within 3 cables of us, initially ignoring the boat and A flag.

I was last onboard and as I stood on the lift Nigel lifted me halfway then stopped it claiming it was broken, so obviously some blabbermouth had nothing to do post dive

Once onboard we headed back in some very rough seas, so bad infact I nearly fell overboard near the entrance to Dover Harbour Inside the harbour we were delighted to see a young seal, so maybe a colony starting around there. To cap the day off Gerry gave me his porthole



Edit: I'll get rid of the broken glass and it will make a nice picture frame

[divegyrl]

Originally Posted by Paul Oliver

I was buddied up with Blanaid and we had a plan based on 40 min at 40m, also with us was one of my club Carl who was on a single 15L and was going to head back up ahead of us on about 20 min. Blan however once she got down did not feel right so aborted and went straight back up.

I was so gutted to turn this!
I've been a bit snuffly since Scapa, and my journey down the line was slow because the tide was still running and my ears weren't 100%...... I was also getting water coming in my wrist seals so I didn't feel happy, rather be on the boat wishing I was down there, than down there wishing I was on the boat.........
I managed to get absolutely soaked through helping Paul off with his kit, the big wave he saw coming too late to warn me ........ thank goodness for Chammyz!
Oh yes, forgot to mention the melt in your mouth Sprüngli's Luxemburgerli from Switzerland (sorry Howie, they have to be eaten within 24 hours)

Thanks to Andy, for arranging the day, thanks to Paul for agreeing to buddy me again, next time I might last the whole dive....... Henry B I think!

The journey back was 'fly in the air and hope that you landed back in the boat' I saw Paul disappear and was very happy to see him still hanging on........ only Dave (eejit) was up for the second one....... needless to say one was enough!

Great day, great fun, there will be a return! Or the Sambut, or the other one we talked about.....................

P.S. Dover diving is expensive if you forget to pay the car park fees

[Diving Dude]

Originally Posted by divegyrl

.........Oh yes, forgot to mention the melt in your mouth Sprüngli's Luxemburgerli from Switzerland (sorry Howie, they have to be eaten within 24 hours)

Ok Blan, your mission, should you choose to accept, is to bring said swis chocs with you on the Henry B dive.
Whilst you guys were out having fun l had a great day at work

However, nothing to do with diving, but, l am going to see the Rolling Stones on tuesday

[Paul Oliver]

Originally Posted by divegyrl

I managed to get absolutely soaked through helping Paul off with his kit, the big wave he saw coming too late to warn me ........ thank goodness for Chammyz!

I only spotted this very large wave just as it was about to leap over the side a drench Blan. Think i still had my stage bottle reg in me mouth at that point as well.

Oh yes, forgot to mention the melt in your mouth Sprüngli's Luxemburgerli from Switzerland (sorry Howie, they have to be eaten within 24 hours)

Outstanding Choc

Thanks to Andy, for arranging the day, thanks to Paul for agreeing to buddy me again, next time I might last the whole dive....... Henry B I think!

Yes, thanks very much Andy Yup Henry B Plant next

The journey back was 'fly in the air and hope that you landed back in the boat' I saw Paul disappear and was very happy to see him still hanging on

I was so glad to be still in my zipped up drysuit at that moment, i was inches away from going over the side.

Great day, great fun, there will be a return! Or the Sambut, or the other one we talked about.....................

Thats Dover, just sooooo many quality wrecks to do

[Paul Oliver]

Originally Posted by Diving Dude

However, nothing to do with diving, but, l am going to see the Rolling Stones on tuesday

If they let you in

You could always claim to be the dad of one of them Any one

[divegyrl]

Originally Posted by Diving Dude

However, nothing to do with diving, but, l am going to see the Rolling Stones on tuesday

ROBBIE.......Sept 14th <swoon>

MK bowl......


bleurgh......

[Andy the Coastie]

[quote=Paul Oliver]

Soon afterwards we had the sound of a VERY big ship coming very close and all 3 of us on the line were frantically looking around for a fast approaching bow. The noise was so load we were actually vibrating with it It turned out a very big freighter passed within 3 cables of us, initially ignoring the boat and A flag.
[/UNQUOTE]

Daves flag is only as big as your piddly little thing..........so instead of ignoring , probably wasn't seen.

Diving near the CS4 buoy has always been a CLOSE point for ships, not only is it the edge of lane for crossing vessels, but some NOW are looking for a lightship ,,,, but get given a light buoy.

Don't really think you can blame the ships for where you were diving ,,, can you ??????????????????

[Paul Oliver]

A flag may not be very big but the boat is and the radios and radar reflectors work fine, all the others had no problem seeing us and there were a lot about.

[Andy the Coastie]

[Steve S]

Originally Posted by Diving Dude

However, nothing to do with diving, but, l am going to see the Rolling Stones on tuesday

will you be able to see it from your caravan in the carpark?

Great report Paul.

Safe diving,
Steve