After the first dive the sea had become significantly higher so we gave up at that point and headed for port. This will necessitate a return trip to recover an SMB, inadvertently left down there. Hopefully it will be a bit calmer this weekend.
Derek made the outward journey on SP125 but came back on SP312. This was due to an unscheduled extra dive when Geoff, driving the boat, applied the anchors a bit too sharply. I missed this being underwater at the time but I’m sure some fines can be arranged!
Those on SP125 will have noticed the long overdue new seat covers which Mike has organized.
On Saturday Derek, Rob and Steve did a shore dive at Layyah. In Derek’s words:
“Three of us had been invited over to a friends to look at a wreck partially visible at low tide and accessible from the beach. When we say accessible, this is certainly true for snorkelers and swimmers. The nearest point on the road is a +500m distance from the water entry, the first beach divide for the Mahaba Resort and as we all know it can get a bit warm here. Fortunately our host Christo sweet talked a worker with a bulldozer to do the honours with the tanks to get them on the beach next to the sea entry.
The wreck top is visible a few hundred metres out opposite the second beach divide for the Maharba Resort. From the wreck top, the wreck stretches out for a good 50metres or so parallel to the coast. It looks like it has been down there a while as the barnicles and coral have certainly taken over. Visibility was about 5metres. We found and photographed a sink with taps, a 6 inch copper pipe,several pipes, three old radiators and lots of rusted steel and some remnants of wood probably from later wrecks. Sea bed was only 3 metres down so we were getting a bit of ebb and flow from the tide.
It was an enjoyable pleasant exploration and if there is a down side it is that due to its proximity to the beach it attracts a few water jet bikes who generally cleared off with a cheery wave but a surface buoy is a must. Fish life was varied and generally small, sergent majors, banner fish, goat fish, black spot bream. How this would look at high tide who knows , but another recommendation to avoid the major beach treck is to come via the sea, the boat can also be look out for water bikes.”