HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales

[bluewater]

I have a trip planned to the south China sea for May 2009. the exchange rate has increased the price a little and with one thing and another a number of the team are looking to bail out. So currently have a number of free places. (cost currently £1080 plus flights). Looking to see what interest there is before I ask the skipper to fill the places.
Diving from the M. V. Empress 6 days diving, leaving Singapore on the 19th back in on the 25th 1 day on Prince of Wales and 3 days on the Repulse, plus 1 day either side diving other wrecks whilst travelling to/from the force Z wrecks. The costs are split equally between the 8 divers.

[Eddie Clamp]

I have a trip planned to the south China sea for May 2009. the exchange rate has increased the price a little and with one thing and another a number of the team are looking to bail out. So currently have a number of free places. (cost currently £1080 plus flights). Looking to see what interest there is before I ask the skipper to fill the places.
Diving from the M. V. Empress 6 days diving, leaving Singapore on the 19th back in on the 25th 1 day on Prince of Wales and 3 days on the Repulse, plus 1 day either side diving other wrecks whilst travelling to/from the force Z wrecks. The costs are split equally between the 8 divers.

War wrecks - http://www.scapaflow.com/reppow.html. But who am I, who has dived the Thistlegorm many times to object.

[bluewater]

War wrecks - http://www.scapaflow.com/reppow.html. But who am I, who has dived the Thistlegorm many times to object.

So what's your point Eddie? just helping out with a write up?

[Edward]

So what's your point Eddie? just helping out with a write up?

Both these come under the "The Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 (Designation of Vessels and Controlled Sites) Order 2008" at http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080950_en_1

Section 3 of the 1986 Act makes it an offence for a British National to enter any vessel protected, even if diving from a non-British boat.

Regards

Edward

[Eddie Clamp]

Both these come under the "The Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 (Designation of Vessels and Controlled Sites) Order 2008" at http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080950_en_1

Section 3 of the 1986 Act makes it an offence for a British National to enter any vessel protected, even if diving from a non-British boat.

Regards

Edward

Just what I wanted to say! Many thanks from an old sailor.:o

[bluewater]

Both these come under the "The Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 (Designation of Vessels and Controlled Sites) Order 2008" at http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080950_en_1

Section 3 of the 1986 Act makes it an offence for a British National to enter any vessel protected, even if diving from a non-British boat.

Regards

Edward

Ah right, yes we're well aware of that, both of these wrecks are war graves and should be treated with the respect due. Unfortunatley not every diver affords them such. Not all war losses are classed as war graves but for me if lives were lost during service then they should be respected, as you say eddie, including the Thistlegorm. It shouldn't need an official designation for us to do so.

[Mike Halligan]

Ah right, yes we're well aware of that, both of these wrecks are war graves and should be treated with the respect due. Unfortunatley not every diver affords them such. Not all war losses are classed as war graves but for me if lives were lost during service then they should be respected, as you say eddie, including the Thistlegorm. It shouldn't need an official designation for us to do so.

But in the cse of Force Z there is a designation. If the PMR Act cap fits and you plan to return from the specified places to the UK, remember that MOD Plod can read. :o

[bluewater]

But in the cse of Force Z there is a designation. If the PMR Act cap fits and you plan to return from the specified places to the UK, remember that MOD Plod can read. :o
Hi Mike

Not sure what it is that's being suggested here. The PMR act says that we shouldn't penetrate the wrecks but that we can dive them as far as I know.

[Mike Rowley]

Hi Mike

Not sure what it is that's being suggested here. The PMR act says that we shouldn't penetrate the wrecks but that we we dive them as far as I know.

Actually it says a bit more than that, it not only prohibits entering the wreck it also forbids interfering with it, touching it or removing any artefact.

The ludicrous element of this legislation is that any non-UK foreign national can do whatever he or she likes with complete impunity therefore the wrecks are only protected from UK divers. The worst plunderer of the Repulse to date has been the MOD who sanctioned removal and sale of the port side props back in the late 1950s. As with HMS Edinborough, if the rewards are big enough wreck protection and war grave status are relegated to secondary consideration.

Both wrecks are stunning dives, my last dive on the Repulse a whale shark and manta ray swam over the top of me, everyone saw it except me.:( You will have a great time, enjoy.:)

[bluewater]

Actually it says a bit more than that, it not only prohibits entering the wreck it also forbids interfering with it, touching it or removing any artefact.

The ludicrous element of this legislation is that any non-UK foreign national can do whatever he or she likes with complete impunity therefore the wrecks are only protected from UK divers. The worst plunderer of the Repulse to date has been the MOD who sanctioned removal and sale of the port side props back in the late 1950s. As with HMS Edinborough, if the rewards are big enough wreck protection and war grave status are relegated to secondary consideration.

Both wrecks are stunning dives, my last dive on the Repulse a whale shark and manta ray swam over the top of me, everyone saw it except me.:( You will have a great time, enjoy.:)

Cheers Mike, looking forward to it :D I think I saw a picture of that whale shark on a trip report didn't I.

[Mike Rowley]

Cheers Mike, looking forward to it :D I think I saw a picture of that whale shark on a trip report didn't I.

Don't know, I wasn't aware anyone on that trip had posted a report but maybe.

A trip to the bow is worth it, the site of two of the 15" gun barrels sticking out is awsome.

[garethwoodruff]

This trip sounds awsome.

I'm looking at doing it in 2010.

A Battlecruiser and a Battleship at reasonable depths :)

[bluewater]

Don't know, I wasn't aware anyone on that trip had posted a report but maybe.

A trip to the bow is worth it, the site of two of the 15" gun barrels sticking out is awsome.

Are those on the Repulse Mike?

Was your trip 2005? was Giles with you?

[bluewater]

This trip sounds awsome.

I'm looking at doing it in 2010.

A Battlecruiser and a Battleship at reasonable depths :)

Hope it comes off for you, is it organised already?

[garethwoodruff]

Hope it comes off for you, is it organised already?

Not yet, however I'm planning to go with jack ingle with a bit of luck as he does an expedition or 2 each year.

Too much diving organised already for next year.

[Mike Rowley]

Are those on the Repulse Mike?

Was your trip 2005? was Giles with you?

Yes, the POW are 14" guns, equally impressive but not so much showing.

I think we were there in 2005 but we were definitely there in Sept 2007, had bad weather though. Giles was on both trips and I think he went in 2006 as well.

[bluewater]

Yes, the POW are 14" guns, equally impressive but not so much showing.

I think we were there in 2005 but we were definitely there in Sept 2007, had bad weather though. Giles was on both trips and I think he went in 2006 as well.

I'll make sure that I take a look at them, thanks.

Looks like I mixed stuff up in my head, I combined two reports :D one from techdive which shows a whale shark on the Repulse at http://www.techdivethailand.com/blog/index.php/2007/09/25/tec-expedition-report-south-china-sea-liveaboard-hms-repulse-submarine-k17/

and the report from John Elder showing a ray at http://www.panagadivers.com/Club/Elder1.htm a trip that Giles was on, they all look like teriffic trips :D . Took me all afternoon to find them again

[Giles]

I'll make sure that I take a look at them, thanks.

Looks like I mixed stuff up in my head, I combined two reports :D one from techdive which shows a whale shark on the Repulse at http://www.techdivethailand.com/blog/index.php/2007/09/25/tec-expedition-report-south-china-sea-liveaboard-hms-repulse-submarine-k17/
That trip was the previous week to my trip last year & was run on the same boat, Mata Ikan. I reckon it was probably the same Whale Shark that glidded over me by all of 1/2 a meter as I was ascending to the shot line that was tied to the props of the Repulse. As you can imagine, an amazing sight to see so close:eek: :D :cool:

and the report from John Elder showing a ray at http://www.panagadivers.com/Club/Elder1.htm a trip that Giles was on, they all look like teriffic trips :D . Took me all afternoon to find them again
If you were present at one of Jack Ingle's presentations on the wrecks that he did at the NEC & LIDS a few years ago you'll have seen some footage of that ray which was shot on the Seven Skies. As the ray appeared as most of us were ascending the shot, the deco schedule became relegated to the back burner!!! :D Oh for the wonder of the VR3:D

As an aside, it's fantastic diving. In all the times that I've been (7) I haven't come across anyone who's been disapointed.

[bluewater]

Sounds fantasic, hope we get some of the same luck. & times must say a lot for the standard of diving. Unfortunatley the "Credit crunch" played havoc with the organisation and a number had to bail on me (no choice when they get laid off :( ) but had some interest and it looks like it'll still be on but won't have confirmed numbers until Jan.

That trip was the previous week to my trip last year & was run on the same boat, Mata Ikan. I reckon it was probably the same Whale Shark that glidded over me by all of 1/2 a meter as I was ascending to the shot line that was tied to the props of the Repulse. As you can imagine, an amazing sight to see so close:eek: :D :cool:


If you were present at one of Jack Ingle's presentations on the wrecks that he did at the NEC & LIDS a few years ago you'll have seen some footage of that ray which was shot on the Seven Skies. As the ray appeared as most of us were ascending the shot, the deco schedule became relegated to the back burner!!! :D Oh for the wonder of the VR3:D

As an aside, it's fantastic diving. In all the times that I've been (7) I haven't come across anyone who's been disapointed.