Lundy Murrelet

[jlwarlow]

I'm diving Lundy on the Lundy Murrelet this weekend, I've never dived here before so was wondering if anyone has any pictures of the boat so I know what to expect when I get there, thanks.

[Mark Powell]

No pics sorry but I've dived off the Lundy Muppet on many trips.

The boat is a traditional coverted fishing boat so no lift! In fact there is no cut out to jump off at all. Unless Colin (the skipper) has changed it in the last year you had to straddle the side and then roll off. Not an easy manouvere, especially for the smaller divers and it's important to ensure that there are no dangly bits of kit as it's easy to get a pressure gauge or console caught in the rail as you go over. A ladder comes up the side at an angle to get back on board.

On a good day Colin is a great skipper and knows Lundy like the back of his hand, however on a couple of recent trips I got the feeling his heart wasn't in it.

Lundy itself is fantastic and I'm sure you will have a great trip.

If you are going from Clovelly then do not follow the main road/signs to the car park as you will end up in the visitors car park, from there you will have to carry all your gear down the hill or use the sled. This is a VERY long, steep walk. Instead make sure you drive your car down to the bottom, there is a side road which says something like not suitable for vehicles! and unload next to the pub at the bottom. Then you can take the car back up to park.

[jlwarlow]

Originally Posted by Mark Powell

No pics sorry but I've dived off the Lundy Muppet on many trips.

The boat is a traditional coverted fishing boat so no lift! In fact there is no cut out to jump off at all. Unless Colin (the skipper) has changed it in the last year you had to straddle the side and then roll off. Not an easy manouvere, especially for the smaller divers and it's important to ensure that there are no dangly bits of kit as it's easy to get a pressure gauge or console caught in the rail as you go over. A ladder comes up the side at an angle to get back on board.

On a good day Colin is a great skipper and knows Lundy like the back of his hand, however on a couple of recent trips I got the feeling his heart wasn't in it.

Lundy itself is fantastic and I'm sure you will have a great trip.

If you are going from Clovelly then do not follow the main road/signs to the car park as you will end up in the visitors car park, from there you will have to carry all your gear down the hill or use the sled. This is a VERY long, steep walk. Instead make sure you drive your car down to the bottom, there is a side road which says something like not suitable for vehicles! and unload next to the pub at the bottom. Then you can take the car back up to park.

I've never been on a boat with a lift so that's not a prob. I have been on a boat which is designed more for tourists to go see some birds on a rock than divers and found it a bit of a pain getting in and out, but if the diving's great I can put up with it!

Fingers crossed that his heart is in it this weekend! Thanks Mark.

[Mark Powell]

Originally Posted by jlwarlow

I have been on a boat which is designed more for tourists to go see some birds on a rock than divers and found it a bit of a pain getting in and out

Was that the Skelligs?

[jlwarlow]

Originally Posted by Mark Powell

Was that the Skelligs?

Glad Tidings II I think.

[jlwarlow]

Originally Posted by Mark Powell

No pics sorry but I've dived off the Lundy Muppet on many trips.

The boat is a traditional coverted fishing boat so no lift! In fact there is no cut out to jump off at all. Unless Colin (the skipper) has changed it in the last year you had to straddle the side and then roll off. Not an easy manouvere, especially for the smaller divers and it's important to ensure that there are no dangly bits of kit as it's easy to get a pressure gauge or console caught in the rail as you go over. A ladder comes up the side at an angle to get back on board.

On a good day Colin is a great skipper and knows Lundy like the back of his hand, however on a couple of recent trips I got the feeling his heart wasn't in it.

Lundy itself is fantastic and I'm sure you will have a great trip.

If you are going from Clovelly then do not follow the main road/signs to the car park as you will end up in the visitors car park, from there you will have to carry all your gear down the hill or use the sled. This is a VERY long, steep walk. Instead make sure you drive your car down to the bottom, there is a side road which says something like not suitable for vehicles! and unload next to the pub at the bottom. Then you can take the car back up to park.

Well I've returned, and I can say I won't be going back. The boat hasn't changed and was very cramped for 12 divers. As Colin requested we all had singles (a few of us did have ponies though). The dive sites Colin chose were sh*te, 2-3m vis on all 4 dives. The last dive we were basically given no choice but to dive where he'd anchored for lunch. When we asked what was here he "didn't know", turned out it was kelp. Average dive for 5 pairs of us who got in, 12mins.
One thing I did learn from Colin is that you should put your hood and mask on last because your hood affects your ballance???
I've never dived with a lift but his ladders needed to be longer and build better, one of the rusty rungs bend when one diver climbed aboard and banged his shin badly on the fall down.

Needless to say I was thouroughly disapointed with the dives. Clovelly on the other hand is a very nice tourist village and the B&B we were in was good, and the food excellent.

[Ian@1904]

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your trip to Lundy. I dived there in June 2003 and it was spectacular above and below the water line.

Try calling Clive Pearson at Clovelly Charters 07774 190359.

His boat only holds six divers, but he certainly knew all the dive sites. There is a marine guide to Lundy and this pinpoints all the wrecks n reefs around the island.

[jlwarlow]

Originally Posted by IanHicks

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your trip to Lundy. I dived there in June 2003 and it was spectacular above and below the water line.

Try calling Clive Pearson at Clovelly Charters 07774 190359.

His boat only holds six divers, but he certainly knew all the dive sites. There is a marine guide to Lundy and this pinpoints all the wrecks n reefs around the island.

Thanks Ian, I'll let the club know his details if we ever decide to go back there in the future.