Cardiff BSAC News

[cardiffbsacnews] club news

2012-05-08T08:44:04Z

Pool News

Back to school- afterwards at The Aneurin Bevan

Cosmeston

Well a huge moon meant big tides, everywhere other than Cosmeston. We had the youngest and oldest members of club with us on Sunday – so whilst Steve went out to start the new “Anne no longer likes string” project with Andrew Pritchard, I was accompanied by Ben trying out the “dry” suit and Mark Farrell aka “Veggiemark” who was a guest on The Farnes trip last year (and he’s still talking to us!) Barry club where somewhere in there too!

Bob is also holding to ransom a fine green torch dropped by a careless diver. Although Barry club claimed to have a “Richard” as a member, I think it’ll be making its way to club on Wednesday for the rightful owner to claim the trophy and pay the reward (I’ll let you two battle that one out J )

Monday saw Ben, having dried out the “dry” suit, Chris Baker and me having a very dampish day at Chepstow – at least the weather appeared to have put most people off, and those who where there were all barking mad, but friendly, including someone who I swear was Father Christmas (Red hat, white beard).

With things to do and lessons to get signed off we jumped into the shallow end and had fun not getting tangled in lines (just for a change!)

Ben found out (a) what suit squeeze is and (b) where the water was getting in…as he raised his arm with the cuff dump and we watched whilst all the air came out of the wrist seal....

Getting out, we then saw the swimmers in their bathers going for a dip (and I thought we were mad!) Its still less than 10degrees in Chepstow!!!!!

Lunch was in the new café block – very nice with soft furnishings one end but still laid out for divers with bench seating at the other. Bizarre to see all the booze for sale at a dive site – sadly however I think the food was better when they had the burger van. At £3.50 I would have expected something a little nicer than the servings placed before us.

Second dive accomplished in the slightly less murky north section, we dodged rain showers to get changed and make our way home

Well done to Chris and Ben for completing another bit on their way to sports diver!

Swanage trip 9^th/10^th June

Second boat probably full – Swanage charters having filled the rest of the spaces!

Summertime

Lessons Learned

Fairly well behaved this weekend :-)

Who’s got gills?

Please can you let Rhian have your dive details & air consumption when you go diving .

For Sale - email received

I am looking to sell some of my own kit as I am no longer diving with Cwmtawe. I wonder if you could ask round your club if anyone is interested.

I am selling a twin set of 10l cylinders banded. Will need servicing in September and the slob knob is slightly faulty and may need repairing. Looking for £170. Not sure what their called but I also have the blanking plugs to separate the cylinders so they can be used as single cylinders. They are brand new and cost me £16 when bought and will throw them in too.

Also selling a medium buddy commando jacket which is like new. Previous owner did 10 dives and I've used it once but it's too big. It also has twinning bands. Looking for £225.

Many thanks

Gareth

My number is 07736 776599 if you want to give me a call.

Picture of the Day

I think I'll just call this "Perspective"

Message received via Dave Bell

Dear all, an invite for BSAC to contribute to a feasibility study re tidal power in Swansea, please see below

Did we find a tidal energy expert in-house?

Guidance on who I need to send this on to would be really appreciated

Thanks

Ali

Alison Dando

PR & Communications Manager
British Sub-Aqua Club
T: + 44 (0) 151 350 6221 | M: +44 (0) 7769 575464 | W: http://www.bsac.com

From: Lucy James [mailto:lucy.james@inazin.com]
Sent: 30 April 2012 11:40
To: Dando Alison
Subject: A Swansea Tidal Lagoon

Hi Alison

I would like to introduce you to Inazin, we are a renewable energy development business that encompasses solar, wind, hydro and tidal divisions and we hope that you will be interested in our approach to renewable energy development in Wales.

As a company we are focussed on changing the UK’s energy mix to large scale, lower cost renewable technologies, with greater national energy security. We already have a successful record in solar pv, having so far developed and funded the deployment of £75m of solar energy, totalling 28MW. However it is our ground-breaking tidal development in south Wales that we would like to discuss with you, sharing our ambition for Wales to be a world leader in tidal energy.

Our vision is to create low cost, locally sourced electricity for several generations. At the same time we will be creating an export industry and looking to create jobs through tidal projects as part of a green industrial revolution. We are currently advancing proposals for our first tidal lagoon project which lies south of Swansea Docks, in between the approach channels for the River Tawe and River Neath.

A tidal lagoon is essentially a circular, low-lying breakwater wall with turbine generating equipment in one section that harnesses power from the rise and fall of the tides in the bay. Due to the large tidal range available in Swansea, a tidal lagoon could extract sufficient energy each year to power a significant proportion of Swansea domestic electricity use.

We are now concluding the feasibility phase of development for a Swansea Tidal Lagoon;

~ finalising our Environmental Impact Assessment scope (taking feedback and input from key statutory consultees including the Environment Agency and Countryside Council for Wales)

~ engineering designs that dramatically reduce cost of construction

~ working with leading turbine manufacturers to adapt the right equipment for our specific site to maximise energy yields

~ reaching out to as many local and national stakeholders as possible while the development is forming, to ensure a collaborative approach from the outset.

We can appreciate that a proposal such as this can raise many concerns and questions, so we are hoping to communicate as much as possible early on and throughout the process, taking on board the ideas and concerns of individuals, organisations and communities to minimise impact and maximise potential benefits. In following this development route we aim to deliver a Swansea community-owned asset that becomes a flagship project for Wales.

If the above is of interest to you I would be pleased to meet with you and discuss our proposals in more detail. If you feel that there would be interest from BSAC members then we would be happy to arrange a presentation at a central location.

I look forward to hearing from you if you feel this would be of interest.

Kind regards

Lucy James

Public Consultation Officer

Swan Yard

9-13 West Market Place

Cirencester GL7 2NH

Office +44 01285 380 050

Mobile +44 07500 919420

Fax +44 01285 640 481

inazin.com

Good Beach Guide

The Marine Conservation Society have just issued the annual Good Beach Guide – have a look at http://www.goodbeachguide.co.uk/?dm_i=104K,SKJU,56T7TO,2BPRO,1

Happy Diving

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Anne

Club Website

[cardiffbsacnews] Chepstow Monday

2012-05-04T13:44:03Z

Just in case anyone is interested in going.

I'll be there training with Ben and Chris Baker, if you want to come along but don't have a buddy let me know and I'll try and co-ordinate.

NB Wont pick up any emails at weekend - so any queries its 07403407966

cheers

anne

[cardiffbsacnews] club news

2012-05-01T08:22:03Z

Pool News

Back to school- afterwards at The Aneurin Bevan

Cosmeston

Sadly the Plymouth trip was blown out – so back it was to Cossie!

Murky was one description! I would add that you should treat all bodies of water with respect – even Cossie - yeah I did it again – see lessons learned! As well as the normal suspects, Chris Ashbridge and Richard O’Donnell were there to enjoy(!) the dive. Chris took advantage of a recent price cut on talcum powder and merrily anointed his seals, his brand new undersuit, his face, head, neck and anyone downwind with a light covering of powder!

Swanage trip 9^th/10^th June

There is an option for a second boat - names so far

John W

Andrew Pritchard

Chris Ashbridge

Tim Crowe

Lessons Learned

I could gloss it up a bit, but I’d only be fooling myself! Possibly because it was dark and murky (not my favourite conditions) I managed to have a nice little panic when I found myself going nowhere! It was an interesting experience when finning to feel that something had grabbed me and was pulling me backwards. What I had done in fact was, in the gloom, to swim straight under the pink string that leads to the car. Interestingly I had also forgotten to attach the small knife I normally carry (after all – its only Cosmeston!). So whilst trying t0 work out which monster of the deep had got me, I managed to change the course of the telephone cable and rearranged the two bikes also attached to the string – the car wasn’t going to move whatever I did! When I worked out what the problem was, I finally remembered the little cutter which I have on the stab jacket. Now I only had to try with gloved hands, the untried technique of getting the cutter from its holder in order to get myself loose! (It worked by the way!)

Lesson learned – doesn’t matter where you are, always carry your knife/cutter/scissors.

Final comment from Ross, its always a good idea to have whatever you use somewhere you can reach it – a knife on your lower leg may not be so easy to get at!

Second lesson of the day? Torches/compasses/ anything which doesn’t have a permanent attachment to your equipment – use two clips . If one fails, you’ve always got a back up. We’re going back to look for Richard’s torch next week……….

PS Next project - we’re going to try and move the cable to the car – that way no more string to tangle unwary divers!

Who’s got gills?

Please can you let Rhian have your dive details & air consumption when you go diving .Marine Conservation Society

Big Beach Clean-Up: 11-13th May

MCS has teamed up with Marks and Spencer to tackle the trash on Britain's beaches. Join us on a beach near you between 11-13th May and help us remove the rubbish in time for a summer of good clean fun.

Register now and not only will you have a fun day out whilst doing your bit to clean up your local coastline. You will also receive a tasty M&S snack to keep you going as well as a voucher for £5 off a £25 M&S food shop*.

Latest news: There are places left at many beaches and in particular, we are looking for volunteers at the following beaches: Spittal, Abermawr, Arbroath, Bruce Embankment, Harrington, Martin’s Haven, Penllech, Portstewart, River Avon, Sandylands, Greve D’Azette, St Helier and Tan-Y-Foel.

Go to the MCS website for further information

http://www.mcsuk.org

Happy Diving

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><(((º>·´¯'·.¸,. ><(((º>'·.¸¸.·´¯'·..·´¯'·..¸><(((º>

Anne

Club Website

[cardiffbsacnews] Swanage trip

2012-04-30T10:55:02Z

Thanks for E mail.Wish to dive and stay at digs.See you on Wed to confirm details.Regards Andrew. Sent from my iPad

[cardiffbsacnews] Swanage Trip 9/10th June

2012-04-27T16:22:03Z

-

Just a quick note round about the Swanage trip, proposed second boat.

I have the following names down for the trip - if anyone else is interested please let me know. They will run the boat with whatever number we have and advertise the rest to the general diving world!

John W
Andrew Pritchard
Tim
Chris Ashbridge

Andy taxi has two spaces available in the bunkhouse @ £40 for the two nights - there may be space in a local B&B where I'm staying - depends on room but around £60 for a twin for the two nights.

Can those above please confirm they are definite and if any accommodation is required!

ta
Anne

[cardiffbsacnews] club news

2012-04-24T08:33:05Z

Happy 60^th birthday to Kas!

Pool News

Back to school- afterwards at The Aneurin Bevan

Dive News

Friday night – and “I've danced with a man, who's danced with a girl, who's danced with the Prince of Wales” – well not quite, but we did meet the man who has been kissed by Lottie Hass!

A fab night, with Rhian accepting the Gold Medal and a cheque for £1000 of behalf of Cardiff BSAC for winning the Peter Small award.

Presented by the BSAC Jubilee Trustee Dr. John Bevan the very shiny gold medal, actually made it through the room without someone claiming it as treasure and disappearing with it!

Thanks to all those who attended, including friends from other clubs and I think we all had a cracking time!

Scott finally got to pick up his trophy for “Most Improved Diver” and was later seen scratching out his brothers name from the shield

The gold medal has been specially minted for us by BSAC and rather than leave it to gather dust, we intend to award at each years AGM to a club member. Can we have your suggestions though as to the raison d’etre for the award. We already have an award for “most improved diver”, so please let me have your suggestions, sensible or otherwise!

Cosmeston

After the excitement of Friday night, and Kas’s party on saturday,we had just enough time to sober up for the normal Cossie splash! Mark’s ears made a speedy recovery just in time for him to be able to Fiona in for her first splash. Not at its pristine best, Cossie was somewhat murky, however Fiona managed a respectable first dive and even said she’s looking forward to the next one – though possibly elsewhere. Mark is definitely losing his touch though as not a single fishy creature was spotted for Fiona! (not going to mention the fish or the eel that I saw then :-) )

Louise was trying out her new dry suit (we ought to be getting discount for bulk buys from Northern Diver!) and all went according to plan, as long as the plan involved a slightly fast ascent from 3 metres.

Brian was playing James Bond again and rescuing the lady in distress (or more correctly the ring in the water) whist Steve and I took our guest Olivier in. After Steve managed to ignore the compass long enough to get away from the magnetic anomaly, we took him to the car and back – Olivier reckoned our duck pond was far better than his, and thought the viz was marvelous!

Bob was making sure he used up all the rusty bits in the bottom of the cylinder and Ross made up for Bob’s slightly shortened dive by adding a few extra minutes on for him!

Cossie is booked for next Sunday – please be aware of a slight price increase – now £2.30

Swanage trip 9^th/10^th June

There is an option for a second boat – however presently only two names – Chris Ashbridge & Tim – if any one else is interested please let me know

Lessons Learned

Nothing much to report this week – we’ll save it all up for next weekend!

Who’s got gills?

Please can you let Rhian have your dive details & air consumption when you go diving .

Latest update from Rhian following the last West Wales trip!

Amazingly Mark, Andy J & Adrian are all using the same!

	Trip	overall
AD Men	Mark & Andy	Mark & Andy & Adrian
AD ladies	Teresa	Teresa
DL	Phil	Tony
SD	Andy R	Andy R
OD		Ben

Purple crabs

Well – they look cute – so thought I would pass on the picture

(From the Philippine island of Palawan (map) in an undated picture. The colorful crustacean, dubbed Insulamon palawanense, is one of four new species in the Insulamon genus described in a recent study)

Picture of the Week

Yet to see one of these….

(ps – if anyone comes across any other fun or unusual dive related pictures or photos, pass them on to be included in the email)

New Protected Marine Conservation Zones

Message from Countryside Council for Wales.

10 proposed sites are to be considered for designation as “highly protected Marine Conservation Zones” in Wales. There will be public consultation on this soon. 3 – 4 of these areas will be chosen to be designated by 2014.

Anyone with an interest is encouraged to participate in the Welsh Government’s consultation process and contribute to the final site selection -www.wales.gov.uk/marine

The areas under consideration are

Puffin Island/Ynys Seiriol - chosen because of its variety of habitats on the

shores and underwater. For example, the underwater kelp forests are rich in

communities of animals such as sponges and anemones (2km²).

• North East Menai Strait/Gogledd Ddwyrain Y Fenai - chosen for its

variety of habitats on the shores and underwater. The underwater habitats are

influenced by strong tidal flows (4.1km²).

• North Lleyn Peninsula/ Gogledd Pen Llŷn - chosen for its variety of

habitats on the shores and underwater. Both rock and sediment habitats are

represented, including underwater habitats such as a reef formed by large

horse mussels which, in turn, provides an important habitat for many other

species (26.8km²).

• Bardsey Island/Ynys Enlli - chosen for its variety of habitats on the shores

and underwater. The shores around Bardsey are full of contrasts - steep cliffs

to the north and shallow sloping platforms to the south. Underwater, there are

vibrant wildlife communities of kelp, soft corals, sea firs, anemones and

sponges. (10.5km²).

• St Tudwal's Island East and Llanbedrog / Ynys Ddwyreiniol Tudwal a

Llanbedrog - chosen for its variety of habitats on the shores and underwater.

Many areas, both underwater and on the shore, consist of mixed gravelly

sediments which harbour a wealth of different species (28.2km²).

• Mouth of the Dwyfor/ Aber Afon Dwyfor - chosen for its variety of habitats

on the shores and underwater. This site is fairly sheltered from wave action.

On the shore, habitats such as honeycomb worm reefs, formed by worms that

cement sand together to form large honeycomb-like structures, contrast with

mixed and sandy sediments underwater (6.0km²).

• New Quay offshore/ Ceinewydd (môr) - chosen for its range of sediment

habitats with some cobbly patches. This is the only site proposed which is

entirely subtidal (does not include the coast) (5.3km²).

• South West of Strumble Head/ I’r De Orllewin o Ben Caer - chosen for its

numerous different habitats in an area where few other sites were chosen.

The site is mainly rocky and quite exposed to wave action, although small

bays and inlets provide some shelter. Underwater, rocky reefs support a rich

mix of sponge species (4.1km²).

• Skomer/Sgomer – chosen for its variety of habitats on the shores and

underwater, the site includes much of Skomer Marine Nature Reserve. Its

rocky shores and shallow waters are exposed to wave action, but there are

more sheltered areas as well, such as the seagrass bed at North Haven.

Many species have been recorded in these waters, including 240 species of

seaweed, 100 species of sponge and 72 species of sea slugs (10.5km²).

• Dale /Dale - chosen mainly for the intertidal mixed sediment and subtidal

muddy habitats, along with a variety of other habitats. The muddy gravels on

the shore support a wide range of species of worms and cockles (2.9 km²).

The site boundaries given are only indicative – and may change in the light of

the consultation.

Anyone with an interest is encouraged to participate in the Welsh

Government’s consultation process and contribute to the final site selection -

www.wales.gov.uk/marine

Happy Diving

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><(((º>·´¯'·.¸,. ><(((º>'·.¸¸.·´¯'·..·´¯'·..¸><(((º>

Anne

Club Website