April 17, 2006

Easter Bank Holiday Weekend - Annaghvaan

The Easter weekend seen us heading to Annaghvaan, Co.Galway for our second Bank Holiday weekend of the season. The strong spring tides limited the diving a little but we still managed to get five dives over the three days, making up 113 individual dives in total over the weekend.
Rosemary had hoped to dive Gurrig Sound on Saturday morning but we settled for the northern end of the sound which gave some shelter.
Thanks to Rosemary, our Diving Officer for all the work researching the area & planning the weekend weeks in advance, something which we sometimes take for granted.
Eamon DOD.jpg
 
Sunday morning we had our first Leading candidate, Eamon Russell up the breach for his first DOD. Eamon brought us to Golam Head to get away from the strong current of the spring tides.
Sunday afternoon we had our second Leading diver candidate, Brendan Flynn who brought us to Yellow Rock for the second dive of the day.
Congratulations & well done to both candidates on their first efforts.
 
 Eamon Russell DOD
 
Monday morning we had an early 8am start, leaving the slip at 8.30am & got Gurrig Sound on the slack which gave us a nice finish to the weekend. Done & dusted with the boat on it’s trailer at 10.30am we were all ready for our journey home.Annaghvaan pier.jpg
 
 
Seven trainees - Sam Williams, Chris Couling, Peter Mas, Eamon Grant, Tom McCabe, Terry McCaul & Bernie Byrne were not disappointed, all getting good boat diving.
Thanks to all the Instructors who gave their time & brought them diving.
Annaghvaan Pier
 
All three boats were making their first outing of the season & all the work put into them by John Dillon, Equipment Officer & Matt Donnelly Assistant EO over the winter months is now paying off. Special thanks to them & all who helped out with the never ending maintenance on the equipment All three boats were in great working order & well capable of the providing swift, trouble free transport to the dive sites.Fleet returns.jpg
 
We received our new compressor, a Coltri Sub MCH 16, (9.3 CFM), driven by a 9HP Honda diesel engine at the eleventh hour on the Thursday afternoon. This along with our other 9.3 CFM Coltri Sub provided us with plenty of air for the weekend. This setup is capable of  topping off 30 x cylinders in two hours. We are awaiting delivery of a second Honda 9hp diesel engine to fit to other Coltri Sub compressor. Hopefully this will give us trouble free service for the foreseeable future.
Another very successful & enjoyable Bank holiday weekend!  
Valentia Island. Our next outing for the May Bank Holiday weekend is now only two weeks away!
Spectating.jpg
 
 Organised Chaos.jpg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
              Organised Chaos at Annaghvaan Pier
Spectating is much more fun!