Iain Aitchison
12-05-2003, 16:32
Hallo,
I am just back from a trip to Malta where I was doing some 55-75m dives on TRIMIX with Strand Diving in St. Pauls Bay.
Strand Diving has the ability to support Nitrox, ERD or TRIMIX, and has a limited number of Inspiration rebreathers. This is a professional well run dive base/school, which is the only one currently on Malta/Gozo able to support technical diving.
There are a lot of excellent sites in the depth range 40-75m which would make it suitable for a BSAC expedition aimed at experienced divers using or learning ERD or TRIMIX.
These sites could include (there are also others):
Blue Hole on Gozo (good at 55-65 m, 70-80 m possible). Various depths on Nitrox, ERD or TRIMIX possible (shore dive).
Reqqa Point on Gozo (an excellent wall dive). Various depths on Nitrox, ERD or TRIMIX possible (shore dive)(have not done this yet, but supposed to be really good)
HMS Stubborn, WW II Submarine, upright, intact on sand in 57-58 m (to sand) see <a href="http://www.geocities.com/csacmalta" >http://www.geocities.com/csacmalta</a>... This wreck is best and safest on TRIMIX, has been done on air or as ERD.
HMS Southwold, WW II Destroyer. In two sections about 200 m apart in 65-75 m (have not done this yet, but particularly the bows are supposed to be really good)
Polynesean, a French freighter in 50-65 m (65 m to sand). Possible as ERD better and safer on TRIMIX.
Also possible are Imperial Eagle, an ex. Malta/Gozo ferry (40-42 to sand) and a Blenheim Bomber (40-42 to sand). These are offered for experienced divers and are both well worth a visit.
It is possible to do these sites on an individual basis as I have done but due to the cost of the appropriate boats, or in the case of the Gozo the transfer to Gozo from Malta with a Landrover or Van, it is more economical when diving in a group.
Would it be possible to plan a formal/informal BSAC expedition for these dives? The best time would be October when the water is still warm and the dive base/school no longer busy with air divers on holiday. I certainly would be keen to meet up with other TRIMIX divers who would like to do these or similar dives on Malta/Gozo in the depth range down to 70/75 m.
Please get in touch.
Regards
I am just back from a trip to Malta where I was doing some 55-75m dives on TRIMIX with Strand Diving in St. Pauls Bay.
Strand Diving has the ability to support Nitrox, ERD or TRIMIX, and has a limited number of Inspiration rebreathers. This is a professional well run dive base/school, which is the only one currently on Malta/Gozo able to support technical diving.
There are a lot of excellent sites in the depth range 40-75m which would make it suitable for a BSAC expedition aimed at experienced divers using or learning ERD or TRIMIX.
These sites could include (there are also others):
Blue Hole on Gozo (good at 55-65 m, 70-80 m possible). Various depths on Nitrox, ERD or TRIMIX possible (shore dive).
Reqqa Point on Gozo (an excellent wall dive). Various depths on Nitrox, ERD or TRIMIX possible (shore dive)(have not done this yet, but supposed to be really good)
HMS Stubborn, WW II Submarine, upright, intact on sand in 57-58 m (to sand) see <a href="http://www.geocities.com/csacmalta" >http://www.geocities.com/csacmalta</a>... This wreck is best and safest on TRIMIX, has been done on air or as ERD.
HMS Southwold, WW II Destroyer. In two sections about 200 m apart in 65-75 m (have not done this yet, but particularly the bows are supposed to be really good)
Polynesean, a French freighter in 50-65 m (65 m to sand). Possible as ERD better and safer on TRIMIX.
Also possible are Imperial Eagle, an ex. Malta/Gozo ferry (40-42 to sand) and a Blenheim Bomber (40-42 to sand). These are offered for experienced divers and are both well worth a visit.
It is possible to do these sites on an individual basis as I have done but due to the cost of the appropriate boats, or in the case of the Gozo the transfer to Gozo from Malta with a Landrover or Van, it is more economical when diving in a group.
Would it be possible to plan a formal/informal BSAC expedition for these dives? The best time would be October when the water is still warm and the dive base/school no longer busy with air divers on holiday. I certainly would be keen to meet up with other TRIMIX divers who would like to do these or similar dives on Malta/Gozo in the depth range down to 70/75 m.
Please get in touch.
Regards