While much of the UK was bouncing between heatwaves, Bermondsey BSAC took the opportunity to head for the coast and cool down in the English Channel. With blue skies above and surprisingly warm water below, Eastbourne treated us to near-perfect diving conditions.
Despite the early start, we almost filled the boat, with organiser Geoff joined by Ken, Ian, Elliot, Chris, Jiri, and new members Vanessa and Tung. We were looked after throughout the day by Teresa, while our fantastic skippers, Steve and Caroline, ensured everything ran smoothly and got us safely to our dive sites.
Our first dive was on the MS Oceana, one of the South Coast’s best-known wrecks. The 7-ton cargo vessel was built in 1912 and requisitioned for military service in the Second World War before being torpedoed in July 1940. She now rests upright on the seabed in around 30 metres of water, providing an impressive wreck dive that has become a favourite for divers exploring the Eastbourne area.
The conditions couldn’t have been much better. Excellent visibility allowed us to appreciate the scale of the wreck, with the impressive boilers and towering engine structure standing out clearly. The wreck is now home to an abundance of marine life, and we were treated to shoals of fish weaving through the structure, along with spider crabs and lobsters making the most of their artificial reef.
After a surface interval enjoying the sunshine and (slightly soaked) biscuits, it was time for a completely different style of diving. Our second dive was a gentle drift, allowing us to relax and simply fly across the seabed as the current carried us along.
With warm seas, outstanding visibility, fascinating history and plenty of marine life, Eastbourne reminded us that you don’t have to travel far to enjoy some truly excellent diving. A great day for all, including the experienced divers and new members!
A huge thank you goes to Geoff for organising another brilliant club trip, to Teresa for looking after us on board, and to Steve and Caroline for their expert skippering as usual.
