Our Dive Boat

$Diver\'s Tales$

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	*The Club Boat* Club Boat photo by John McGregor Clydebank Sub Aqua Club is the proud owner of an XS 5.4metre Rigid Hulled Inflatable boat with a 90 HP Yamaha Engine. Also included are a GPS, Echo Sounder and VHF Radio. The boat is fitted with a S/S “A” Frame and removable Dive Cylinder Support Rack. The whole rig is transported on a sturdy Snipe Trailer. Iain Kennedy did a great deal of research and work to get this boat and it has really paid off. It doesn’t half shift !!! The boat will take up to 6 fully kitted divers. This photo was taken after a dive at Conservation Cave at Tanera Beag in the Summer Isles. Tom Burke takes the plunge Diving from a boat is in many ways easier than diving from a beach. You "kit up" in the boat and just roll backwards, over the side. Immediately you are in deep water and ready to drop down to enjoy the dive. At the end of the dive the boatman will be there to pick you up and help you aboard. A "Diver at the surface" eye view of the Clydebank Sub Aqua Club diver boat with Joe McInally at the helm. Photographed at Trail Island, Little Cumbrae, Firth of Clyde. More information about the Role & Responsibilities of Boat Coxswains is available on the SSAC website: http://www.scotsac.com/PDF-downloads/SSAC_Boathandling_Information.pdf It won't be long before Abigail Anderson is tall enough to drive the boat. (photo by dad-Gordon) Using the Club Boat Just a reminder about the use of the Club Boat. You will be aware that the Boat, Engine and Trailer represent a large financial outlay but they are also a huge asset, allowing us to have much greater diving opportunities. It is our boat, your boat and the Committee would like to think that everyone is happy to help when it comes to preparing the boat for a trip. Things such as helping to get the boat out of the Club Hut, adjusting the ramps, taking a turn on the winch, ensuring that all the boat kit is on board etc. At the launch site help is required to un-lash the boat and prepare it for launching, similarly the recovery operation is also an "all hands on deck" scenario. It is all part of the "day out" and it is a great way to learn about another aspect of diving which you should find useful and enjoyable. Boat Safety Boats are great fun but they are also potentially dangerous. For this reason only a few Branch members, who have been suitably trained and qualified under the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) are permitted to drive the boat. They are also trained and registered to operate the Marine VHF Radio Transceiver. However, if you are interested in learning about the boat, then training is readily available. In the meantime you can still help regarding safety. The Helmsman is responsible for the safety of everyone whilst you are in the boat or in the water near the boat. If you are in the water, at or near the surface, always be aware of the engine propellor. Keep well away from it. If you are swimming to the boat, make contact with the boat near the bow or amidships. Never near the stern. When you enter the water from the boat swim away a soon as you can, so that the helmsman can operate the engine safely. When on board the boat you should ensure that your diving gear is stowed as neatly as possible, and all in one place. Whilst the boat is moving always hold on to something firm in the boat. You never know when the helmsman may have to move suddenly! Try to be aware of what is going on regarding boat operations. It can be quite easy to end up "over board" from an inflatable boat so, if you are wearing ordinary clothes you must always where a buoyancy aid, (your unmounted BCD would do or an ordinary life jacket). Alternatively, and more likely, put some air in to your Dry Suit and close the vent valve. Finally, NEVER be on board the boat with an unzipped Dry Suit. If you fall over the side your suit could fill with water very quickly with disastrous results for you!!! The helmsman is trained to ensure that everyone is safe whilst on board the boat or in the water near the boat. You can play your part by doing as you are asked to ensure your own safety. Always wear a buoyancy aid or have air in your zipped up drysuit on board the boat. Charges for the Boat use. Every diver using the Boat will pay £5 per dive. If you have 2 dives per day, that amounts to £10. If, when the money is collected the total from every diver covers the boat fuel costs and hopefully, there is a profit, then that profit goes to the Treasurer. However, if, when the money is collected there is still a "short-fall" for the cost of the fuel, then that "short-fall" is divided by the number of divers (including the person who towed the boat to the dive site) and that additional money collected to ensure the boat fuel "breaks even". Please note that the person who tows the boat to the launch site does not pay for his/her dives but does contribute to the total fuel costs if extra money is required to "break even".

All Photographs and text Copyright ©of Keith Waugh (Webmaster) unless otherwise stated.
Information on this Website is as accurate as possible but does not necessarily represent the views of Clydebank SSAC Committee.

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