26th of June started out wet but still wind, sounds like a Jane Austin novel doesn’t it, but this made for a calm crossing on the ferry from Heysham. The obligatory Guinness was thwarted by the fact that the bar pumps weren’t working, but we managed, and thanks to Miles’ and Ivan’s GPS phone mega technology systems, we were able to establish we were in the middle of the Irish Sea, thank god!

As we were welcomed to the Isle of Man by the fairies at the bridge, for those of us who said hello luck was in, for Trevor fairy luck should never be played with. The accommodation at The George was warming, welcoming and more importantly had two debriefing bars, excellent find. Following recommendation we discovered an eating-house, The Viking, which was to become our second home for the next three nights.

We were promised clear water, good boat spectacular scenery, and friendly skipper and dancing girls, well three out of four is ok! The first days’ diving was excellent, Derby Hava Gantry Ledges will now forever be known as O’Neill’s Crack, with huge Conga lobsters giant spider crabs, swim through arches and overhangs, just brilliant. A little choppy seas to the south and the Calf of Man but all in all a great days diving.

Saturday started warm and sunny with a first dive to refresh our muggy heads just along from Port St Mary at Gordon Rock Bay, sandy ledges with huge boulder stacks, slight drift which was pleasant, more lobsters and crabs than you could ever want to see in one place, friendly dogfish and plenty of fish life. The tail lift is a godsend and definitely the ladies/gentleman’s way to dive. Once round The Calf waters were calm, seals and bird life a plenty, delayed surface marker buoy is essential on this dive as the drifts will take you towards Ireland, bet the Guinness was working there.

Saturday night saw the return to The Viking, were the now infamous “Fins Kangaroo Court” took its first session; the presiding Mojito Judges were Mr Turner, O’Neill and Moran, with official judges cloth bearer Trevor Lynch.

All beer offences were taken into consideration, such as left foot in right leg of dry suit, showing a sisters picture and pretending her to be your girlfriend, no regs attached at all and no dry suit hose attached, only to be discovered at 5-6 metres. But the main Mojito case of free falling off a divers tail lift took the majority of the entertainment. All payments were dutifully paid. Once we had stopped a wedding reception in its tracts and been asked to leave the sawdust spittoon bar known as The Union, we looked forward to our final days diving.

Sunday, the last chance for the skipper to honour the “Basking Shark Guarantee”, was underway early(ish). Port St Mary’s Ledges was a nice gentle drift with plenty of life, but once out and de-kitting, an air of excitement grew as the skipper spotted a shark. The one thing I would say about these magnificent gentle giant creatures is “oh my god their big” and this was only a 4-5metre baby. Skilfully corralling the mini beast towards us helped but I think Ivan could have ridden on the back of it he was that close. Well done Trevor, the only one of us to stay calm enough to get a picture.

Once back in the harbour for lunch at a very civilised “tea shop”, dry suits and knives permitted, tales of the sharks encounter and the weekends diving were flowing. The final dive, a very relaxed steam down and around to the wreck of The Citrin, huge boiler and a spread out iron ship wreck, again lobster, crabs and conga with the usual culprits of fish. As always final dive fun was adhered to, with rocket propelled DSMB’s and final Mojito fines watched for.

To round it all up; what an amazing, fun, enjoyable and friendly weekend.

To everyone who had a hand in organising, from the ferry, accommodation to the kit servicing and scubi bus, thank you from everyone!

If you want to experience a great weekends diving watch for next years trip and if I can dive with Basking Sharks every year on my birthday, I’ll be a very happy monkey!

Dive the Isle of Man and Discover Basking Sharks,

25-28th June 2009

http://www.isleofman.com/Science/Animals/Fish/Basking/ http://www.manxbaskingsharkwatch.com

I am pleased to announce details of what promises to be another very exciting club trip to the Isle of Man at the end of June. The trip consists of three days diving from a hard boat and also the chance to snorkel with and video/photograph basking sharks. These amazing creatures are the second biggest shark in the world (behind only the whale shark) and can grow up to about 6 meters long. Our Skipper Steve has almost guaranteed that he will be able to find sharks and get us in the water with them!

Additionally, the Isle of Man offers fantastic UK diving with an abundance of marine life. There are also almost 2000 wrecks off the Island and at this time of year visibility is excellent. There is also a good chance of diving with seals not to mention the stunning views from the boat and many types of breeding sea birds.
  
Travel to the Isle of Man via the Heysham Car Ferry in the Scuba Van on Thursday night 25th June or fly from Blackpool at 17.40pm.

We will be staying in Bed & Breakfast accommodation in Port St Mary for three nights. We will be diving on Friday, Saturday and Sunday doing two dives per day. We return on Sunday 28th June and we will arrive back at Fins around midnight. 
 
The cost for the trip is £300 which includes ferry/flight crossings, scuba van transport to and from Heysham and in the Isle of Man, 3 days hard boat diving, air fills and of course bed & breakfast (based on shared accommodation). There will also be the option to do 3rd dives subject to demand.
 
Places are limited to 10 divers, so to reserve a place we need a deposit of £50. Cheques should be made payable to Fins Sub Aqua Club. When booking, please advise if you wish to fly out or sail as the flights need to be booked well in advance to secure the current price.
 
Please note that you must be at least a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent with logged UK diving experience in a dry suit to join us (note that under 18's must be accompanied by either a parent or guardian).
 
If anyone has any specific requirements not covered above or would like further information then please contact the trip organiser, Dave Gibson by e-mail or mobile - (please email the shop for Daves details, I don't want to publish them on the interweb).

Not that it will be needed but the following link may be useful! http://www.manxcat.org.uk/south.htm

Please note that you must be at least a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent with logged UK diving experience in a dry suit to join us. Under 18's must be accompanied by either a parent or guardian. If anyone has any specific requirements not covered above or would like further information then please contact the trip organiser, Dave Gibson by e-mail

To book your places get your name down in the shop along with the deposit mentioned above.