26th July 2014
by Richard Booth
This particular weekend saw unprecedented numbers of Tyneside 114 members diving across the region with two individuals diving the wreck of HMS Pathfinder out of Eyemouth, as well as others, seasearch diving off the Durham Heritage Coast. Most however were keen to dive the Farnes given the calm sea and the promise of good visability.
With the club rib full, the overspill of members fortunately had the opportunity to dive with Dave Taylor on his rib Sea Hawk.
First dive site for this group was the wreck of the SS Somali. Descending the shotline we found that it had landed close to the huge boilers and the engine room of the wreck. Underwater visibility was a good 15 metres. (portrait pic of diver peering through wreckage with wrasse at bottom of pic)
We made the most of these ideal conditions, slowly drifting around the wreckage in awe at the size of the huge upright steam engine.
As we circumnavigated around the large boilers, several big Pollack drifted overhead in the gentle current.
All to soon it was time to head back up the line and complete our deco stops whilst nervously watching a large lions manes jellyfish with its long trail of stinging tentacles as it drifted around us. Inevitably some of these tentacles found their mark and a few of us emerged out of the water with tingling faces where skin was exposed.
For the next dive we headed over to the Crumstone to dive the south side of the Fang an area of submarine reef that juts out of the west side of this site.
This particular dive offers a lovely steep wall that drops down to over 20 metres and which is covered in soft corals. The good visibility again ensured that we experienced another superb dive enjoying this scenic site.
Many thanks to Dave Taylor for organising this days diving.