2010 marked the 28th International Shipwreck Conference, and probably one of the best of the last few years.
The first presentation of the conference was from John Riley. Entitled ‘Modelling Shipwrecks’, John presented some of the stunning models he has built of shipwrecks over the years, and gave details of his process of deconstruction, to turn a perfect ship model into a representation of the wreck on the sea bed. An interesting way to produce an accurate model!
Second up was a review of the Salcombe Bronze Age Wreck Site from Jim Tyson, proving the amazing array of shipwrecks available so close to our shores. www.swmag.org/
Sean Kinglsey was able to give an excellent update on the activities of Odyssey Marine Exploration on the wreck site of HMS Victory (First Rate Ship of the Line, sank 1744).
In the afternoon session, Innes McCartney demonstrated his well versed presentation skills with an excellent talk on HMS Audacious, the famous WW1 Super Dreadnought sunk of Malin Head. www.periscopepublishing.com
After being unable to make the 2009 conference due to the terrible snow, David Mearns then followed with details of the discovery of HMAS Sydney. The task of discovering wrecks in such deep water is impressive enough, never-mind capturing such stunning imagery. Certainly a presentation worth waiting the extra year for! http://www.bluewater.uk.com/
In the final session, Dante Batoli gave an excellent summary of 2nd Centrury BC Shipwreck in Capraia, Italy, as well as an interesting insight into the process of marine archaeology within Italy.
Closing the conference with a talk entitled ’Fireships and Firebrand’, Kevin Camidge provided an interesting insight in the use of fireships, something I certainly was not aware off.
Panoramic View on the way to look over the Cattewater Wreck Site
On the Sunday we were treated to an excellent walking tour of Coxside and Cattedown. Starting at the site of an early ropewalk we moved on to overlook Cattewater wreck before heading off to a Pleistocene cave containing early human remains. The tour finished with essential tea and biscuits at the Plymouth University Marine and Diving Centre, along with a guided tour of their facilities.
The International Shipwreck Conference is run by shipwreck enthusiasts every year in Plymouth.
Tags: conference, Wreck
Posted in Events | No Comments »
HMS Victoria is a pre-dreadnought battle ship, lauched in 1887. She was accidently sunk in June 1893, after a collision with HMS Camperdown during manoeuvres. Most of the blame for the incedent was places on Vice-Admiral Sir George Tryon, commander of the British Mediterranean Fleet, who was on board and ordered the manoeuvre.
The wreck today lies offshore tripoli in Lebanon, and is unique in that it stands vertically, completely unsuported. Her bows are firmily inplanted in the seabed at 146m, while here props stand free in the water at 77m.
Eventually, after our initial problems, we were able to get 2 dives on HMS Victoria. The footage below is from our first dive, and is from approximately 100m upwards. Unfortantely, a nice crack appeared in the viewfinder of my camera housing, so I decided to leave it in the hotel than risk it on the deeper second dive.
Despite the risk of fishing line, and the constant distance dynamite explosions from fishing and wreck breaking, HMS Victoria is a truely stunning dive. The orientation of the wrecks, as well as provided a perfect shot line and place to store additional bailout gases, makes it quite atmospheric and remarkable, and leaves you wondering how long will her armour belt keep her upright and vertical.
Unfortunately, it is also evident that the wreck has been heavily looted, particulally in the shallow areas where whole cabins have been systematiclly cleaned.
Tags: HMS Victoria, Lebanon, Wreck
Posted in General | 1 Comment »
As in previous years, a few of us ventured down to the International Shipwreck Conference in Plymouth over the weekend of the 7th / 8th Feb.
This years talks turned out to be as good as ever, despite the terrible weather conditions meaning some people couldn’t make it, including David Mearns, who was scheduled to be talking about the discovery of HMAS Sydney.
Opening the day was a presentation by Nigel Overton on the History of the Eddystone Lighthouse. Nigel is obviously very passionate about the local history, which came across in a very interesting talk. Following Nigel was Bob Peacock talking about recent finds in the English Channel, particularly around the Goodwin Sands, and making you realise just how many wrecks there are out there! The next talker was one for the inner archaeologist in everyone, Professor Ufuk Kocabas talking about the excavation of the Yenikapi Byzantine Shipwrecks, which included some excellent finds and some stunning photography. The afternoon started with two talks based on a more legal footing, with Mike Williams talking about the Heritage Bill and how it will affect divers, followed by Alison Kentuck talking about the duties of the Receiver of Wreck. The final main slot went to Mike Rowley, talking about deep wreck exploration off Lebanon and the story of HMs Victoria.
Over all another excellent conference, despite the snow on M5 on the way down.
Posted in Events | No Comments »
This wreck is located approximately 4km outside the main port of Tripoli, and its identity remains unknown.
Used by the Vichy to supply submarines with torpedoes, she was sunk by either aircraft or sea vessel. She now lies in about 60m of water, upright, and usually with very good visibility.
Torpedos lie all over the decks, and while the main bridge superstructure is missing, the wheel and steering mechanism are still intact.
Posted in General, news | No Comments »
Le Souffleur is a French Vichy submarine, sunk by the British approximately 10km south of Beirut in June 1941. She now sits in two reasonably intack halves in just under 40m of water, making in a relatively easy dive. Fifty Two men were lost during the sinking.
Tags: Wreck
Posted in General, news | 1 Comment »
Title: Normoxic Trimix
Location: Midlands and NDAC
Description: Open Circuit Normoxic Trimix Course, one space left. Two weekends
Start Date: 2009-05-09
Further details available from Scuba + Outdoor – Cannock on 01543 428808 or get in touch
Tags: Training Dates
Posted in Training, news | Comments Off
The Lesbian is a British Freighter sunk by the French Vichy Navy during WWII. Just outside the main commercial port of Beirut, it is only a short boat journey out, yet is hardly visited by divers.
Sitting upright and fairly intact at approx. 60m. The Lesbian is a relatively interesting wreck and ideal (as we had original planned it to be) as a warm up dive for HMS Victoria.
Posted in General, news | 1 Comment »
NISD Center in the Marina
Our Lady of Lebanon
This October I was lucky enough to be invited by Mike Rowley to join his trip to Lebanon to dive HMS Victoria. After many days of lessons in both local and international politics, we finally managed two dives on the wreck. In the days before hand, we also had a chance to dive some of the other wrecks in the area, as well as visit some of the sites.
Even for those of you not quite up for diving a wreck like HMS Victoria, Lebanon and Beirut is still and excellent place to visit.
All our diving was done through NISD, The National Institute For Scuba Diving in Lebanon.
Tags: Wreck
Posted in General, news | No Comments »
Title: DIVE08
Location: NEC, Birmingham
Link out: Click here
Description: DIVE08 at the NEC, Birmingham
Start Date: 2008-11-01
End Date: 2008-11-02
As usual, members of the Tech Pursuits Team will be at the Birmingham Dive Show, DIVE08 over the weekend of the 1st and 2nd November. Why not pop over and see us our stand to find out what we have planned for 2009. Scuba + Outdoor will also be there with there usual array of stock at amazing prices, so why not see if you can’t pick up a bargain on that new rebreather?
Posted in Events | No Comments »
This November sees the launch of a brand new event in the Midlands Catering solely for Technical Diving. Eurotek.08 promises to be
a dedicated emerging Technologies Conference and Exhibition aimed specifically at the European advanced diving community
Taking place on the weekend of the 15th and 16th November at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham, Eurotek.08 features an all encompasing line up of speakers and presenters from the worlds creme of technical diving. Through a process of talks, presentations and workshops, it will be possible to learn about everything from the basics of technical diving to underwater imagery to deep mixed gas diving from people who really know their stuff.
Organsied by Leigh Bishop and Carl Spencer, who will both be on hand throughout the weekend, confirmed speakers included:
- Dr Simon Mitchell
- Rick Stanton
- Jarrod Jablonski
- Eduardo Pavia
- Phill Short
- Teresa Telus
- Martin Parker
To name but a few, as well as many company exhibiting.
The organising are keen to point out that this is not a ‘Dive Show’ style retail event, but a conference to share in skills and knowledge.
Tickets go on sale shortly
Posted in Events | No Comments »
