Charnwood Saltz BSAC 934 - English Channel

pedro writes "Having completed the ERD course over the winter it was time to put my new skills into practice, and venture some 20+ miles out from Littlehampton to dive three fantastic wrecks over three days.

Someone aboard had brought the weather with them, which made the two hour journey out to the Moldavia an almost tropical experience. It also gave me plenty of time to get to know my buddy with whom I would dive with for the next few days. His calm manour and readyness to pass on his knowledge put me a ease which was what I needed before commencing my first 50m dive at sea. New boat, new people, new dive site and pushing my skills further put me back in touch with the feelings we've all felt in our early days of diving. A very humbling experience.

Moldavia Wreck

The shot line was in place the trapeze fastened and dropped over board - it was time to go. To my suprise the vis was some 15m which helped me settle into the dive nicely. At 30m the wreck came into view; the bow section rose from the sea bed just as I'd seen in the books I'd read. Lying on her port side guns swung to the sea bed, I knew that the 30 mins bottom time was never going to be enough, just a mear snap shot. Finning around the bow the trawlers nets snagged and lost to the wreck look as though they belonged. Heading towards the midships the deck winches were all there, the six inch guns and port holes were still in place, and the abundance of fish life made this a fantastic first deep wreck dive for me. The 45 minute ascent time was worth every minute and once on board the smile wouldn't go away.

With my nerves settled and a good nights sleep I couldn't wait to dive the Mexico. Just as I thought it coudn't get any better I was met with the most amazing site. Once again 15m vis and the wreck was almost moving with the amount life on her; Congers were poking out the starboard side; Ling and Conger were freely swimming inside the bow section; and no sooner had we left the shot line than it was lost behind the shoal fo fish that closed in behind us. Lobster and Crabs of make believe sizes and oh I nearly forgot the wreck. We finned down into her holds and out the damaged port side to find the rudder were the ascent onto the gunnels took us back to the shot. Mind blowing and worth every second on that trapeze.

If it was on the street you wouldn't look twice at the Duke but at 50m it makes it's cargo of china, glass candle holders, tumblers, oil lamps and tableware treasure. I was determined to have a good look at the wreck and not hunt for tat. Did I manage it? What do you think.......... I sit here writing this looking at a candle holder and shot glass that has spent the last 110 years on the channel floor until it became my treasure (and Faye's tat!).

Apart from the mind blowing diving, I came away with the realisation that if you relax, relax and relax, have faith in the skills you have and relax some more, then the enjoyment of diving will look after itself.
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