Portland (September 2024) Dive Trip Report

Members of the club headed down to Portland to spend the weekend diving off the Sea Leopard, a fantastic 11m South Cat.

On Saturday we were greeted by amazingly calm seas, so we headed further afield to The St Dunstan. At 29m on the seabed, originally built as a bucket dredger it was torpedoed on 23rd September 1917 whilst in temporary service as a minesweeper. Although well broken up there is still plenty of wreck to see. However, on this dive the number of fish meant that we were having to wade through the sholas of Bib and Pollock to get a glimpse of the wreck. I think you would agree not a bad problem to have. We were lucky enough to also see free swimming Congar Eels. On the evening, we enjoyed fantastic sunsets at the pub overlooking the Chesil Beach.

On Sunday, the seas remained perfect for diving. The first dive of the day was on the Black Hawk Bow. The Black Hawk was an American Liberty Ship built in New Orleans in 1944. She made two successful Atlantic crossings and had almost completed a third when, in December 1944, she was torpedoed. With the stern at about 42m and the bow section towed towards Worbarrow bay to aid with salvage and now at about 18m. The wreck is very well scattered as it was blown apart to allow for a pipeline to run through the bay, leaving the wreck now to two halves approximately 120 metre apart, with the biggest section to the north. Here we were greeted with lots more fish, and some were luckily enough to spot Cuttlefish. The wreck was so well lit that you didn’t need your torch.

During our lunch break we played ball with Minxy the boats dog and enjoyed some yummy baked goods. We warmed up with endless teas that Freda provided.
The next dive was Bat’s Head Reef. This is a dive that feels like you are floating in lots of little rock pools. The dive site starts at 5m which steeps sharply down to 16m. All along this area are steep gullies, with swim throughs. Endless areas to explores made for a very relaxed fun dive. When we surfaced, we were greeted by the Waverley, the last seagoing passenger-carrying paddle steamer in the world.

A great weekend had by all. Everyone was pleased to finally have a dive that wasn’t affected by the weather and dives with fantastic vis!
By Tanya & Mike

Sunset over Chesil Beach

Divers Ready!!