Cameras on board the boat - opinions needed!

[Helen F H]

Ok

Some great stuff coming from you guys

I always go from what people ask me to do. If you want to be lowered in, we have no problem doing this (unless its a site where we simply cant, or the weather doesnt allow). I always tell Hazel where the photographers are in the drop group so she can give them the maximum amount of shelter from any waves etc. Also if i need to lower a camera in, she needs to know so the boat is totally stopped in the water. This is one of the reasons we wear two way radios all the time when at sea
Some people want their camera unclipped from their gear, others dont. I just go from what you ask for.

We are changing the galley for the up and coming season, so it will be almost twice the size it was, with a huge table too, so a nice quiet space for you to sort your housings.

I had problems with people using the rinse tank for all sorts, so ended up writing "Fresh Water, no fish, scallops, beer, or anything that is not a camera" on the side of it However, this is getting changed to a new custom built one on the dive deck. Now we can trust our lift to be reliable we can move the ladder to somewhere more out of the way. The new tank will be going where the ladder was stored. Im hoping for a stainless steel tank with possibly a pump operated shower head type attachment on it.
There is already a fresh water tap/sink in the changing room, plus the shower on the port side for additional rinsing.

If you guys want a photographers trip, i would be more than willing to organise one? Got a week in May this year, or some space in October. However, i would suggest waiting until 2009 and trying to do a mixed week of scapa flow and northern isles.

[Helen F H]

Forgot to add, we have the widescreen TV in the saloon which i am going to set a geek on and get it rigged up so you can connect it to a laptop.

[Cussy]

Originally Posted by Helen F H

If you guys want a photographers trip, i would be more than willing to organise one?

Helen,
I was thinking about coming up in 2009 anyway, so if we can get a boat of likeminded people (Digigreen & EMUP) then that would be perfect.
Rob

PS it was the TV that swung it

[Cerianthus]

Maybe I should mention this trip idea for next year to my buddy. We've visited Scapa together before in 2003 (with the outfit that used the lifeboat "red shed", have to remember the name. In 95 with houton diving as well.

After much thinking about this years holiday, we decided on a trip to the red sea. My buddy's not a photographer, but a true wreckie. But scapa /Schotland was sure in the picture.

Keep us posted....

[Mike W]

Blinkin' 'eck - 2009 already? It ain't even halfway through January 2008 yet!

Or, to put it another way, good plan, lots of time for saving up and putting my money where my mouth is.

Can we do Konig (Family reasons, I'll bore the boat with it next year), and I'd really like to do the Bayern turrets?

When's vis best? I heard October.

[Helen F H]

Originally Posted by Mike W

Blinkin' 'eck - 2009 already? It ain't even halfway through January 2008 yet!

Or, to put it another way, good plan, lots of time for saving up and putting my money where my mouth is.

Can we do Konig (Family reasons, I'll bore the boat with it next year), and I'd really like to do the Bayern turrets?

When's vis best? I heard October.

Eeek lots of questions

Ok, the Konig is currently not diveable as there is an exclusion zone around it. This was put into place after the tragic loss of a diver last year. Indeed my last dive of 2007 was to search for the missing diver, his body is yet to be recovered. So until the exclusion zone is lifted, the Konig is off limits. I will keep you posted as to when/if it becomes available again. Turrets are a fantastic dive, a little deep and can have a current, but that current makes them covered in life. I saw hundreds of nudibranches on one of the turrets last year, plus some whopper congers.

Best vis is a real guesstimate. In 2006 we had some of the worst vis ever known in scapa, and then it cleared overnight to give some of the best. I would suggest later in the year, maybe september which gives the best trade off between weather, vis and life.

We currently have four weeks in September the first starting Sat 5th, and the last one ending Oct 3rd. All weeks between those dates are currently free.

June and July are full already

If people want information on the Faroes trip please contact Hazel as the information is sent out via email - hazel@mv-valkyrie.co.uk

There is also a space for a Shetland trip in August 1st - 8th or a Northern Isles 8th-15th.

Diving runs sunday to friday, two dives a day. Air is free, gas prices are reasonable (they were based on the 1998 Stoney Cove prices if that helps ). We can do night dives and go outside the flow if the weather permits, although this may carry a small charge to cover fuel (cos its effing expensive now, and when your tanks hold 12,000 litres it costs 6K to fill them up). Food can be provided, breakfast, lunch, evening meal all cooked by me, plus i can do anyone with food allergies, veggies etc a cracking meal too.

As for the wrecks you dive, that is entirely up to you. We will help and guide you through what you want and what will give you what you are looking for. We never dictate what you will be diving, although we might strongly suggest another site if the weather is pants and we can get shelter elsewhere

Hope that helps

Helen

[Helen F H]

Does anyone have any month they would like to try for regarding a photographers trip? First week in June (30th May - 6th June)would be a good bet for getting some dives outside the flow?

[Cussy]

Helen,
I have put the idea of a trip to a few people at EMUP and there is some interest. We have a teacher though, so for him to come it would have to be school holidays. Wont be able to fill a boat from EMUP, so if anyone is interested in a combined EMUP/Digigreen Scapa trip that would be good.
Rob

[Mike W]

And this is where it gets complicated

I'd want the September good vis option and a week on the High Seas Fleet.....oh, and Konig, though I'll settle for KPW if the exclusion zone isn't lifted.

Since you've floated the idea at EMUP, Rob, why don't you pick the best week for you/them and see who can make it/who's interested?

[Cussy]

Originally Posted by Mike W

Since you've floated the idea at EMUP, Rob, why don't you pick the best week for you/them and see who can make it/who's interested?

Because I'm lazy and want someone else to organise it !!!