Steve Walker
19-07-2004, 10:26
Posting this on behalf of another concerned skipper
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Quick note on safety when Shore diving in Selsey,
We are constantly having to politely "advise" divers where not to dive in Selsey and I thought that a note on this forum may help prevent accidents in the future.
It is becoming increasingly common for individuals, Clubs and even comercial training organisations to park up in Selsey East beach car park, hop over the sea wall and start diving off the beach. Great you may think? Problem is that they want to walk the shortest disatance and pop in the water right by the break in the sea wall.
The break is there for a purpose - ITS A SLIPWAY! and the boat lane is designated by yellow buoys all of which is explained in several large signs as you walk towards the beach. apart from that, its one of the few places along the beach which is completly barren on the seabed and not worth diving.
I have recently ended up with the boat broadside on the beach in a dumping swell because a pair of divers with no SMB decided to swim past my props in the boat lane leaving me with no choice but to engage nutral and relinquish all control of the boat to the elements. A 3.5 tonne rib is not fun getting back off the beach in those conditions.
So please please don't dive in front of a slipway and if you're hore diving in Selsey the best dive is under and around the Lifeboat station (not slip)
No rant, no profanity, Just what I hope is a clear simple message regarding Safety.
Many thanks
__________________
David Applin
Owner / Skipper - Dive Eclipse, Selseys Super Rib which thinks its a hard boat
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Quick note on safety when Shore diving in Selsey,
We are constantly having to politely "advise" divers where not to dive in Selsey and I thought that a note on this forum may help prevent accidents in the future.
It is becoming increasingly common for individuals, Clubs and even comercial training organisations to park up in Selsey East beach car park, hop over the sea wall and start diving off the beach. Great you may think? Problem is that they want to walk the shortest disatance and pop in the water right by the break in the sea wall.
The break is there for a purpose - ITS A SLIPWAY! and the boat lane is designated by yellow buoys all of which is explained in several large signs as you walk towards the beach. apart from that, its one of the few places along the beach which is completly barren on the seabed and not worth diving.
I have recently ended up with the boat broadside on the beach in a dumping swell because a pair of divers with no SMB decided to swim past my props in the boat lane leaving me with no choice but to engage nutral and relinquish all control of the boat to the elements. A 3.5 tonne rib is not fun getting back off the beach in those conditions.
So please please don't dive in front of a slipway and if you're hore diving in Selsey the best dive is under and around the Lifeboat station (not slip)
No rant, no profanity, Just what I hope is a clear simple message regarding Safety.
Many thanks
__________________
David Applin
Owner / Skipper - Dive Eclipse, Selseys Super Rib which thinks its a hard boat