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Deep Blue used to circulate a monthly newsletter but now Rich keeps an updated news section written below.
If you need dates or information on trips or courses that are not found within this site then please email Rich here
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The 2008 blog will still be kept underneath the 2009 one when it starts, but will be archived at some point in mid 2009.
January 2009
2nd January just about recovered from the festivities at New Year, Best wishes to everyone reading this for 2009!
Spent today getting ready for the first training course of the year that starts tomorrow in Vobster Quarry. We will be there until Monday then back down to the Coast to complete the dives from Seeker
2008 Monthly Blog from Rich at Deep Blue.
January 2008
January got off to a cracking start on the 16th with a trip to Finland to run some Meg CCR Module 1 training.
All 4 lads got through the 5 very cold days in 3 degree water temperatures, well done lads! Then it was back to the UK to run a Normoxic Trimix course in the NDAC and straight after started an Advanced Wreck Course that unfortunately got blown out due to our typical English weather!
Course completions during January Congratulations to Timo, Antti, Tommi and Patrik for Meg Mod 1, Mike Potts for Normoxic 0C Trimix Instructor, Stewart McMickan for Normoxic CCR Inspiration training. Hard luck to Adam and Glenn who got blown out on the Advanced Wreck Course, let´s hope the weather gets better!
February 2008
7th Feb I am back in Finland again to run 3 seperate 4 day Full Cave courses in Ojamo mine, near Helsinki. So far not much snow but the water temeperature is still a chilly 2-3 degress.
I am back home on the 19th February then go straight into a CCR Module 1 course starting in Vobster Quarry on the 22nd. Most of February and March is taken up with CCR Module 1 training then towards the end of March I will be getting ready for the month long Trimix training Camp in Malin Head, Ireland
15thfeb Just finishing the last Cave course this weekend and then home on Tuesday. It was minus 7 yesterday so everything froze when we exited the water, good diving but bloody cold!
16th Feb even bloody colder today, minus 13 during the day so an inch of ice overnight on the mine and one of my guys wing infaltors exploded apart when his dil first stage froze open!!
26th feb halfway through 2 back to back Mod 1 CCR courses, hoping that the weather will improve so we can go boat diving, bit too much fresh water this year so far!
29th Feb nearly finished the CCR mod 1 courses down here in Plymouth, weather seems to be holding out but gales are on the way!
Course completions during February congratulations to Mikko, Jusou, Julle, Frelle, Matti, Rasa, Toni (Rasa), Yukka and Janne for Full Cave training in Finland and to Andy White, Gary Kelham, Tony Mankey and Terry Woodcock for CCR Mod 1 training.
March 2008
3rd March all CCR Mod 1 training now complete, long and hard 10 days diving but got everyone through apart from one guy, now getting ready for LIDS 2008 Dive Show in London where Carl and myself are giving a talk on diving Carpathia, hope to see some of you there!
9th March Carl and myself have finished our presentation on Carpathia, thanks to everyone who turned up and we both hope you enjoyed the talk. I am now getting ready for 8 days in Finland starting Wednesday 11th.
16th March just finished the first Full Cave course in Ojamo mines, all 3 guys got through so congrats to them, now getting ready for the next course starting tomorrow.
20th March all cave training now finished in Ojamo, packing kit up and heading for home!
31st March now arrived in Vobster Quay for a Meg CCR training course. Hopefully the water will be a little warmer than in Finland and a bit less snow on the ground.
Life is starting to get back to normal now after our robbery, thanks to everyone who emailed in offering support.
Course completions during March congratulations to Turo, Calle and Pasi for Tech Cave completion and to Sami P, Sami G and Tina for Intro Cave training.
April 2008
5th April just finished a MEG CCR mod 1 course so congrats to Julle, Julian and Arthur for completing the course. 10 dives and 11 hours in the water with perfect sea conditions and great vis, felt like the summer!
Now on way to Vobster to collect my new Sentinel Rebreather so will post a little report here after the weekend!
7th April just finished my Sentinel Instructors course with Dave Cooper and Paul Linjen, totally blown away with the unit, it really surprised me as to how easy it trimmed and swam through the water. I really did not expect to like it after hearing the 'Boris' horror stories, very pleasant surprise and a unit that should definitely be considered.
8th April Now getting ready to go to Malin Head for a month of CCR Trimix training. I will be still updating the site whilst I am away, but email is the best way to contact me please unless I can get hold of an Irish SIM card while out there.
13th April the first 4 day Mod 2 (normoxic) CCR course has just completed with 3 of the 4 guys getting through, so well done to Lindsey, Andy and Johnny. The diving up here in Malin is superb with good vis and blue skies, let's hope the wind stays down for the next few weeks while I am here!
19th April Today is the start of a busy few days for Mike and myself. Mike has a Normoxic Trimix course starting and I have a Hypoxic CCR course to get underway. The weather has been windy last couple of days and as such the last group missed a dive, hopefully we can get them through this week some time.
The Sentinel rebreather has been working very well and has been reliable on all the dives so far. I am keeping an open mind on this unit and am very impressed so far!
24th April managed to get 2 of the 4 lads on this weeks course certified as Normoxic CCR divers, so well done to Adrian and Mick who had to really work hard to get through the training, good effort lads! Only one more course to do hear in Malin Head and then May is non stop Sentinel training in Plymouth.
28th April 2 days into the last Mod 2 CCR course and the weather is perfect! Let's hope my final week here is the best so far. The Sentinel is running well so far and I haven't had to break out the Inspiration yet, 30 hours on the clock and counting.
Course completions during April congratulations to Arthur, Julian, Julle for completion of Meg Mod 1 CCR training.
Congrats also to Lindsey, Johhny,Andy, Vic and Stephen for Normoxic CCR training and James for Adv Rec Trimix training. Congrats also must go to Ian, Vinnie, Eddie and Gav for completing Hypoxic CCR training in Malin, well done lads!
May 2008
2nd May getting ready for my last days diving today in Malin with a 09:00 dive on the Carthiginian. The 4 lads have nearly come to an end of their 6 day Hypoxic CCR Trimix course and are all on course to pass.
Today is a bright sunny day with no wind so perfect way to finish a months work off in Malin. I am back at the centre tomorrow prepping kit for back to back Sentinel CCR courses that start on Monday 5th May
6th May had a cracking days diving today in Plymouth off Seeker, lovely hot weather and good vis. Mark Foster started his Sentinel course today and tomorrow I start another Mod 1 course in Vobster. I am back down to Plymouth at the weekend diving with Danny and Dave from Discovery Divers at Bovi to finish the 4 lads on their Mod 1 CCR course.
11th May just finishing off the training at Bovi today, we have had a perfect week with the vis being good and sunny conditions, maybe this is the start of the summer at last! All 3 lads should get through the course today, hard luck to Nick who couldn't join them due to a Flu virus he picked up, we will see him again in June.
14th May I am part way through another Sentinel CCR mod 1 course and today we are diving from Bovi again with Danny and Dave. It finally feels like the dive season has started with good weather holding out, let's hope it keeps this way for some time!
17th May now finished another Sentinel Mod 1 course and getting ready to travel to the Scillies on Loyal Watcher for a week. During the week I will be running another Sentinel and Meg CCR Module 1 course and of course looking forward to watching Man U beat Chelsea on Weds night!
20th May we are all safely tucked up in the Scilly Isles enjoying good vis and interesting dives. All 3 of the guys on the CCR course are enjoying their units and we should all be finished by Thursday leaving Friday as a free day for fun diving.
22nd May after much celebration courtesy of the Man U Victory we are leaving the Scilly Isles today heading for Falmouth, a great weeks diving in a beautiful part of the UK, thanks to Darren and Linda on the Watcher for another enjoyable weeks diving.
24th May Bit of a change from the Scilly Isles as I am now in the NDAC running a CCR Trimix course! At least the vis is good though and my kit will get a good wash off.
27th May now down in Plymouth for the deep wreck diving phase of the Trimix course, hopefully all will go well today and the 3 guys on the course will complete
28th May all done with the CCR Trimix course so well done to Paul, Tim and Steve for completing CCR Trimix training. Now getting ready to travel to France on Friday night to start 8 days of CCR Cave training!
Course completions during May congrats must go to Pawel,Mark and Mike for completing CCR Module 1 training and also to Mike, Hugh and Kat for completing Sentinel CCR training. Congrats to Chris and Kev for completing Mod 1 CCR training on Watcher and also to Mike Potts for completing his CCR Instructor course too.
June 2008
1st June arrived ok in the Lot Valley to begin 8 days of Cave training for Aki, Janner and Harri. Lot's of rain has been falling but we're been getting the dives in ok and conditions are now improving
4th June sun is now shining all day and the vis is getting better and better. Off to St Savaeur tomorrow to see what the vis is like in the 70m portion of the cave
7th June all 3 lads now through CCR cave course, so congrats to Aki, Janne and Harri for a lot of hard work and effort, last days diving today to finish off the CCR Trimix and then heading for home!
9th June arrived home ok except for a 90 euro speeding fine in France!
11th June arrive in Vobster to start a CCR course but no vis below 9m, off to NDAC tomorrow to see if the vis is any better there.
12th June yep vis much better here today, at least 10m in the shallows and much more at depth, we had a great dive today and the lads are doing very well on their course. Off to Plymouth at the weekend to complete the training from Seeker on a couple of 75m wrecks, tough job I have!
14th June now in Plymouth ready to dive a couple of 75m wrecks over the weekend to complete the CCR Trimix course. Vis made NDAC really enjoyable over the last few days, never thought I would say that about a quarry!
15th June managed to get 2 deep wrecks done over the weekend but VIS not very good, never the less we got the lads through the course which is the primary objective
16th June just starting a Mod 1 CCR course in Vobster aiming to complete on weds and thurs in Plymouth
19th June Mod 1 CCR course all finished but got blown out from the Coast so had to stay in NDAC, I'd be lost without this place with our typical UK weather messing things up
20th June am now leaving for Grimsby to join Ocean Dancer for a 10 day Jutland Expedition. I won't be able to update the log while I am out there so will do so on my return.
21st June all onboard Ocean Dancer now with a good weather window ahead of us so fingers crossed for a great 10 days diving and some good exciting dives!
30th June back from a very windy trip to Jutland, which was a real shame for everyone onboard, we won't be beaten by the weather though so better luck to everyone for next years trips and thanks for trying
Course completions during June well done to Janne, Aki and Harri for completion of their Cave training week.
Congrats also to John Kyp, Christoph Brieger and Eoin O'Beara for completing CCR Trimix and to Fabio Manganelli for CCR Trimix Instructor training. Congrats to Huw, Nick and Wayne for CCR Module 1 training too.
July 2008
5th July just arrived in a very hot Florida for 2 weeks of family holiday with a little cave diving in between theme parks! I also plan to catch up with some friends who live here in particular Rodney form Submerge and Cathy at Dive Outpost. I won't be making too many entries over the next 2 weeks as Victoria is making me take some time off!!
20th July now onboard Loyal Watcher and back to work! I am here in Malin Head for 2 weeks running CCR Trimix courses, so fingers crossed for some good Malin Weather and legendary vis.
21st July brilliant day today diving the Audacious, stunning vis as usual and weather being kind for a change. Tomorrow finds us all on the Empire Heritage!
23rd July another 2 cracking days diving on the Laurentic in 38m and the Empire Heritage today in 68m. Vis is so clear you can see the wreck from half way down the shot line, unbeleivable conditions, roll on the Justicia in 70m tomorrow!
25th July well the Justicia did not let us down, more stunning conditions and 30mins on the wreck gave us a great opportunity to explore the bow area back to the boilers. Our last day today is off Kintyre diving the Englishman in 65m then back to Ayr Harbour. I start again next Sunday with more of the same and good weather forecast, fingers crossed!
27th July now back onboard Loyal Watcher for another Mod 2 CCR course. Conditions seem perfect so hopefully we will have a repeat of last week, diving the Audacious tomorrow.
29th July had 2 good dives on the Audacious and Empire Heritage, not so good vis though compared to last week with a lot of brown plankton in the water. Tomorrow looks windy so may be aiming for a dive on the Laurentic.
30th July yep it's very windy, Laurentic it is!
31st July finished the weeks diving with a Scooter lap of the Justicia with Kieran Barry. Had a great laugh going from the bow to the prop and back to the bow, vis not as good as last week though but nevertheless a very good 2 weeks in all as we dived all 3 big wrecks each week.
Congratulations to Randy McNalley for completing Mod 2 CCR and to the 2 lads that didn't get through I hope to see you back later in the year.
1st August now leaving Loyal Watcher to go home to Plymouth and then getting ready for a 3 week cave diving expedition in Spain.
Course completions in July congrats to John, Dean and Macy for completing CCR Cave training and to Mary, Craig and Paul for completing CCR Hypoxic Trimix training..
August 2008
5th August now arrived in Spain and settling into the trip, my internet access is limited so rather than trying to update every day I will do a brief report towards the end of the trip.
Please note that if you are trying to get hold of me between now and the 25th August it may be difficult, apologies for this but internet access is limited where I am.
20th August had a fantastic time diving, ended up mainly in France as the conditions are much better, it was great to have some relaxing dives with friends and now I reel recharged and ready for the last few months before the season starts to end.
I have been keeping in touch with the guys back in Plymouth and it sounds as though the UK Season has gone down the pan, makes me wonder if buying a new RIB for 2009 is such a good idea!
I am back on Monday 25th and will be in the dive centre all day Monday and Tuesday prepping gear for the Meg Mod 1 course that starts on Wednesday 27th in Vobster, got to get my head back into work mode now!!
22nd August now back in the dive centre prepping 3 rebreathers for the course starting on Weds 27th in Vobster, back to good old UK diving!27th August arrived at Vobster to start the Mod 1 CCR course and hoping for good weather at the weekend to complete the course from Seeker.
After this Mod 1 course I am in Finland for my last visit, which is amazing to think how fast a year has passed by, but it has been and gone and after this trip I only have one more trip abroad to Lanzarote then I am firmly UK based for the forseeable future, something I am looking forward to after 10 years of travelling!
31st August now finished the CCR course with 2 great days diving in Plymouth, congrats to Janne, Mark and Terry for completing CCR training.
September 2008
1st September now getting ready to travel to Finland for my second to last trip abroad this year.
2nd September now arrived in Montola and made a recce dive today to check the place out prior to the first Intro Course tomorrow.
Water temp is quite comfortable on the surface but drops to a balmy 4 degrees at 10m, nice!
5th September first Intro Cave course nearly finished and the guys doing really well. Montola is an interesting place with lots of Cavern entrances and clear water, the diving is very good and access couldn't be easier.
9th September nearly finished the second Intro Cave course so will be packing up and heading for home tomorrow. Bumped into some guys I met in France a few years ago which was a nice surprise, can't believe a year working in Finland has gone so fast, I have had a brilliant time and met some great folk, I look forward to coming back soon.
11th September arrived back into Heathrow late last night and now heading North to Humber RIBs to chat through some options for 'Ocean Venture'. I will be back in the dive centre tomorrow prepping rebreathers for a course starting in Vobster on the 18th September.
17th September all prepped and ready to go tomorro with 3 spanking new Sentinels all boxed up for their new owners!
20th September all 3 lads getting on well with their Sentinel Rebreathers, weather looks good for the Coast too so we will be leaving for Plymouth later on today
22nd September all 3 completed the course ok, so congrats to Paul, Tony and Simon for their completion of Module 1 Rebreather training, well done lads!
23rd September am now in the Dive Centre getting rebreathers ready for the next training course that starts in Lanzarote on October 2nd
27th September had a very busy week since the end of the last Mod 1 CCR course getting things ready for the new RIB. The electronics were all bought at the Southampton Boat Show and the Evinrude 300hp Etec is being supplied by Wills Marine in Kingsbridge.
The trailer has been purpose built for the 9m Offshore Humber by SBS trailers in Birmingham and the RIB itself will be collected w/c 10th November!!
October 2008
1st October now getting ready for a week's Rebreather training course in Lanzarote which ends on the 10th, looking forward to some sunshine!
5th October landed in Lanzarote ok and the lads on the course are doing well so far. Lanzarote is such a good place for Mod 1 CCR training I have managed to persuade Victoria to come out here in March next year for a few weeks so I can run some more CCR Module 1 courses when the UK conditions are at their worst, dates to be posted on the training calender.
8th October now finished the Module 1 training in Lanzarote so congrats to Martti and Chris for completion of their IANTD Mod 1 CCR training. I am flying back to the UK later today then getting prepared for a CCR Trimix course starting Friday 17th October
10th October now back in Plymouth getting ready for the CCR trimix course starting on Friday. Also got some good news from Humber, the RIB is going to be ready on Monday 20th October as originally planned, very excited to see how it looks and I will post some photos as soon as I get chance.
16th October got the bad news from Hunber that Ocean Venture won't be ready until 10th November, so today I collected the trailer as SBS wanted it out of their factory! I am now in Chepstow getting ready to start a CCR Trimix course tomorrow and then back down to Plymouth for the weekend deep wreck dives.
20th October now finished the CCR Trimix course after a great dive on Saturday on the wreck of the East Point in 70m. The weather didn't play for thr rest of the course though so we had to head inland. Congrats to Julian and Steve for completing CCR Trimix Training.
21st October now back in the centre getting ready for the CCR Mod 1 course starting next Monday 27th.
28th October arrived in the lakes ok, pretty cold and very wet / windy, don't have much internet access here so won't be able to update the blog much sorry.
31st October got all 3 lads through Inspiration Module 1 training, so congrats to Damian, Paul and Darren for completing CCR mod 1 training in challenging conditions!
November 2009
1st November now on way down to Chepstown to start the first weekend of a CCR trimix course with the completion over the next 2 weekends in the NDAC and Seeker. I am also starting a Mod 1 CCR course again in Vobster on Monday 3rd November so a busy week ahead.
3rd November started the Mod 1 course on schedule in Vobster, great vis for a change which has made the diving enjoyable. We are travelling down to Plymouth on Weds evening to complete the training from Seeker on some good wreck dives.
6th November just had our first days diving in Plymouth today from Seeker, flat calm, good vis and 13 degrees in the water, not bad for early November! I am finishing the course tomorrow then up to Chepstow over the weekend for the continuation of the CCR Trimix course that started last weekend.
7th November a windy end to the week but everyone completed the training, so well done to Simon, Dan and Stewart for Mod 1 CCR training completion.
8th November now in Chepstow for a couple of days then up to Hull on Sunday night to collect the new RIB, xmas feels like it has come early!!
11th November got the RIB home from Hull with no problems yesterday despite the awful weather, spent all day meeting various people who will now finish the boat off in time for the New Year, very happy with the RIB, looks like a very capable Sea boat.
13th November had an enjoyable week playing with the new RIB and getting quotes prepared for the final fit out, also went up to the engine supplier to take a peek at the motor, impressive unit!
14th November now on way to Birmingham for Euro Tech 08, hope to see some of you there, we have a stand in the main hall so feel free to pop over and say hello please.
17th November just returned from Euro Tech having had a brilliant weekend with old and new friends alike, roll on the next one in 2010!
21st November now getting ready to finish the ongoing Hypoxic Trimix Course from Seeker in Plymouth
22nd November got one good day off Seeker in on the Briggitte wreck but now blown out so back up to Chepstow, typical!
23rd November completed the course so congrats to Dan, Will and Charles for Hypoxic CCR training completion, well done lads!
25th November spent today prepping 3 Sentinel rebreathers in preparation for the CCR Mod 1 course starting in Vobster tomorrow. Also been busy this week getting quotes together to finish building the RIB Ocean Venture, she should be in the water by February, hopefully!!
26th November started course well in Vobster with 5 good dives in better than average vis but water temp now dropping nicely! Plan is to finish here on Friday and then dive from Plymouth on Danny and Dave's RIB from Bovi.
30th November all finished at Bovi after 2 good days diving, so congrats to John, Jonathan and Luke for Sentinel and Inspiration training completion, well done lads!
December 2008
1st December Can't believe it's been nearly a year since this blog started, where has all the time gone? I have been doing a Military Demo today which should be quite exciting if it comes off, and this week will see me working on Ocean Venture attempting to get her ready for the New Year.
4th December didn't get as much work done on the boat as planned, but the rear A frame being made by a local firm looks brilliant. There will be a ladder fitted on the rear A frame so no need for de kitting in the water, much easier
5th December just finished building the last CCR ready for tomorrow's CCR try dive session, all units ready to go and I am expecting 4 people on the event, it will be interesting to see what they prefer!
6th December try dives went well, KISS seemed to be the unit everyone enjoyed the most and found easiest to use
9th December just spent the last 3 days fitting out Ocean Venture, she is starting to take shape now, later on today will see me getting ready for a CCR Trimix course starting in NDAC tomorrow.
12th December just finished the first 2 days of the CCR Trimix course with both lads doing well, should be finished by Sunday ok and then working on Ocean Venture Monday and Tuesday of next week.
13th December both lads finished their Mod 2 training ok so congrats to Huw and Richard for completing CCR Trimix training
14th December now back in Plymouth working like mad to get Ocean Venture ready. Steve off Seeker is helping fit all the electronics and cable runs and the loacl fabricator has nearly finished the rear A frame
18th December spent today showing a few folk around used Rebreathers, seems like new sales are being topped by used units at the moment, what Credit Crunch !!
19th December just about finished for the year now, just one more days work on Monday to help 2 lads build their KISS rebreathers for 3rd January which is when they start their training22nd December last day at work today building the KISS units with Ian and Rich, the blog will now start again at the top of the page, I hope you've enjoyed reading this 'Year in the Life' page as much as I have enjoyed writing it.
Can I also take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy xmas and joyful New Year and thank everyone who has helped make this year our most succesful and enjoyable ever, thank you all very much!
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