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View Full Version : Big REDS Bash Anglesey 2/3 Sept 2006 - Info


Steve Pearson
08-01-2006, 11:50
Having been appointed as REDS co-ordinator for North West region I am organising an event which should be the biggest expedition of the year, and to do it I need your involvement.

Big RED Bash 2006 is to involve several hundred divers, diving simultaneously on wrecks off the coast of Anglesey(Wales) carrying out a marine survey of the wrecks in conjunction with the Marine Conservation Society and the Nautical Archaeological Society.

Branches are to put forward a team of members using branch Rhibs to carry out the surveys. Teams will have a Cox, and dive marshal, with pairs of divers carrying out the survey tasks. Tasks will include videoing/photographing the wreck site (to be used as part of an expedition Video CD to be produced) Marine life surveys, wreck state survey, measurements survey.

A HQ will be set up to co-ordinate and compile survey results, with team leaders who are trainee FCD’s being responsible for 4-6 branches each.

Those branches without Rhibs, and individuals/smaller numbers will be diving from hardboats to be chartered for the weekend or allocated to branches who don’t have a full compliment in their Rhib.

Most diving will be in 10-35m range and therefore suitable for SD’s or above, however we are also looking for some Tekkie teams willing to dive on 60m+ wrecks as well.

The expedition will take place Sat 2nd/Sun 3rd September 2006 and we will be applying for grants to fund accommodation for the weekend. A social bar-b-que will be organised for Sat evening for everyone to get together and have a good fun, and entertaining night.

I have a highly qualified team of organisers assisting me in making this a terrific success, but we need your help to do it.

We are hoping to get some good media coverage of the event, and attract a few celebrity divers to take part, you never know you may get one as part of your team.

The event is open to all branches Nationally, the more the merrier. I’ll be giving regular updates as to how things are progressing, but need early commitments from branches in order that we may sort out the administration and accommodation bookings.

Please leave a post in this forum if you are interested in taking part in this possibly record breaking event, or send me a private message.

If you have any positive suggestions as to the event please feel free to PM me.

Don’t miss this opportunity of Diving with a Purpose, at dive sites you may not have dived before. It’s also a chance for those taking advanced diver quals to get AP2 signed off, by submitting an expedition plan for the weekend, based upon guidelines I will give, and then marshaling your branches diving activities for the expedition. Those wanting to be signed off who don’t have AI’s in their club will be allocated an AI for the dives to oversee the marshaling.

Hope to hear from you

Steve

Steve Pearson
15-02-2006, 10:54
Latest Update

After a very successful meeting I can give you an update as to how things are progressing.

Chris Holden our Expedition planning officer has identified 60 dive sites (wrecks) to be dived. Some from his first book, and others from his second book due for release 2 weeks after the event.

It has therefore been decided that we will restrict numbers of teams taking part to 45. This will allow us contingency sites in case of inclemant weather preventing diving at some sides of the island.

Accomodation is to be booked personally by teams, and once notified of their inclusion a list of accomodation and contact numbers will be distributed to enable early booking.

NAS have agreed to run some prep courses in the NorthWest for members of teams wishing to get their NAS Part1 & Part2 qualifications. Demand for these courses will be high and therefore I will start a section for individuals wanting to register to attend. Cost will be approx £160. The course will be 3 days, 1 day Intro, and 2 days Part1, The expedition itself will count towards Part2 accreditation. I will give more info in due course.

Secure Parking for Rhibs is being confirmed, at various locations around Anglesey.

I am currently producing an initial team questionnaire which I will email to those teams taking part. I would be grateful if you could PM me with your email details so I can get this out ASAP.

There will be a steady passage of information to teams enabling thorough planning to take place and therefore ensuring a successful event.

Our medical officer will be holding a surgery saturday afternoon/evening to allow anyone with any injuries/ailments to attend and be treated.

HM Coastguard at Anglesey are on board and fully supportive of the venture.

Hyperbaric centre Murrayfield have been informed and are aware of what is happening.

A Code of Conduct will be produced and distributed to all teams for the event. It is expected that you will all adhere to this code and behave impecably as you are ambassadors for BSAC on this venture.

Merchandising is being decided upon, and will probably consist of Video CD of event - £5, Video on Pen Drive with Exped Logo - £10, Embroidered Polo Shirts - £15, Souvenir Mugs - £TBC

Underwater Guide to North Wales Vol1 - A terrifically informative 240 page book by Chris Holden our Expedition Planning Officer , outlining a lot of the dive sites around Anglesey is available beforehand, price £16.95. Anyone wanting a copy of this book, let me know and I'll arrange for an Autographed copy to be sent to you, postage free. Orders for the second book will also be taken in advance, and personally Autographed copies sent out after publication.

We are curently trying to secure a grant, towards the expedition. if this is sucessful the money after expenditure will be evenly distributed amongst members taking part to offset some of their costings.

I will keep you updated of future developments in due course.

Steve Pearson
06-03-2006, 13:16
We now have 25 Branches signed up to do this, anyone else interested please let me know

steve