Loch long can offer sheltered diving when other areas are blown out. Loch Long is a true sea loch that links into the Clyde estuary. It is surrounded by wild bleak hills that tower over the loch. Diving for all abilities and largely unaffected by weather or tides.
Arrochar is situated at the top of the loch just 20 miles (45 minutes) north of Glasgow. Arrochar makes an ideal base from which to reach all of the better-known Loch Long dive sites and offers good accommodation and a selection of pubs, restaurants, fish and chi shop and other small shops. Its 3 hours 30 mins from Ulverston, roughly 230 miles via Glasgow and Loch Lomond.
Arrochar Hotel is cheap and a good base (for either Loch Long or Loch Fyne) £88 Twin or Lochside Guesthouse £70 Twin. There is a petrol station at the head of the Loch too. Travel Lodges in Glasgow currently are offering very cheap deals on B&B basis
The Loch is 25-30m deep at the top end with a silty bottom Good buoyancy and carful fin kicking is essential. The silt is so delicate that touching the bottom with only one finger will ruin your visibility. Lots of sea life and if you are lucky, before or after your dive, you might see adorable sea otters or the friendly grey seal the local scuba divers named Beryl.
Air and Nitrox refills are available from Glasgow mon–sat (45 mins) and Oban (1.5hrs)
More recently air is now available in Dunoon and Inveraray
Glasgow – 45 mins –
Aquatron Dive Centre, 30 Stanley St, Glasgow G41 1JB 0141 429 7575 (Closes 5pm)
Splash Sports, Unit 5, 8 Meadow Road, Partick, Glasgow, G11 6HX 0141 337 2828
Dunoon – Wreckspeditions, Sandbank – PA23 8QB, Dunnoon 07593 088816
Inveraray – Quebec Marine Services, Argyll Caravan Park, Inveraray, Argyll. PA32 8XT 07967410463
Oban – 1hr 30 mins Puffin Divers
Proposed Dates – 18-20 September 2020
Estimated Cost: £100 each.
Accommodation needs to be paid in advance.
Shared Transport 500miles £30 B&B in Shared Twin room for £100/night – Food and Drink??
Drive up Friday afternoon for an early evening dive in Loch Long at the A Frames / Finnart dive site – driving either direct via Gareloch Head or around via Arrochar.
A frames dive site next to the Finnart oil storage depot and naval pier. Also sometimes described as the ‘Naval base’ or Finnart GR: NS 241951 PC: G84 0EZ 56.117729 -4.830776 N56:07.02 W4:49.0 (No tidal issues)An easy shallow dive suitable for all grades of diver including trainees the A frames lie in approximately 15-20m depth down a shallow slope and form an artificial reef habitat for sea lochs anemones, peacock fan worms, crabs, nudibranchs and the odd fish. The rest of the site is essentially sandy mud with some scattered debris. The site gets better the more you dive it.
Situated just 6.5 miles south of Arrochar / 2.5 north of Garelochead are the abandoned remains of the old torpedo testing station and semi demolished piers. Within the waters of the loch there are even rumoured to be the remains of several long lost torpedoes!
This particular site is easily located as the large car park (red one) is situated across the road from the storage tanks of the Finnart Ocean Terminal. It is also close to a working naval pier. Access into the water is down via a short bank that drops down onto a pebbly beach. It is accessed via a brief path that has been worn into the bank by many divers’ feet. Once on the rocky shore, the waters of the loch are but a brief stride away.
The main highlights of this particular site are the collapsed concrete pillars of an old pier which was dynamited. Cut down and long abandoned these posts have become colonised by sea loch anemones and peacock worms that take full advantage of these exposed structures to sweep the gentle tidal current as it ebbs and flows up the loch. These pillars can be found on the slope down to around 26 metres, after which the silty bed continues onwards. Other marine life observed at this site included sea cucumbers, wrasse and an assortment of crabs and squat lobsters.
Heading straight out from the shore there is plenty of debris and some concrete pillars which have plenty of life living under them at approximately 10m. Veering slightly right and continuing down to around 20m the A frames should be encountered.
This site is very popular with local dive schools, as it offers easy access into the sheltered water. Indeed a steel platform has been placed at around 6 metres depth for the benefit of trainees, keeping fins away from the silty bottom which is all too easily stirred up. Currents are sometimes experienced if diving deeper than 20m on a spring ebb.
Diving close to the naval pier is strictly forbidden and would be hazardous anyway as the pier is often in use by small workboats. This site provided a good introduction to diving in Loch Long for those members of the party who had not visited this area before.
Nearest public phone – in first car park (the red one)
Mobile phone orange and vodaphone
Pub / Café Arrochar
Saturday two dives on Loch Long (The Caves and Conger Alley).
The Caves / Loch Long Caves
(No Tidal Issues) GR NN279021 N56.180 W4.775
This particular dive site is probably one of the finest dives that Loch Long has to offer. It is essentially a steep slope of large boulders with gaps in between them forming ‘caves’ for a variety of marine life leading down to a flat muddy seabed at c30m. It does however have one of the more challenging entries down to the water’s edge.
Dive depth can be chosen as appropriate (15-30m)
The site itself is situated just off the narrow road a couple of miles south of Arrochar along the A 814. Parking is restricted to a maximum of 3 cars (2+1) in the small lay-by besides the culvert that leads down under the small road bridge. Entry to the water is gained by descending down the small stream to the loch’s edge. The descent is quite steep and made more hazardous by the wet rocky surface/ fortunately some kind soul has installed ropes, which greatly aid the descent process. Staggered diving times can be arranged to facilitate parking perhaps one group diving here the other elsewhere. It is also perhaps prudent to make a couple of trips down to the water’s edge carrying kit, rather than attempting to make one trip and descend fully kitted up.
On entering the water bear left across the marine encrusted cliff. Descend down along this cliff edge to around 20 metres and swim along keeping the wall face on your left hand side. You soon encounter overhangs, cliff faces and large boulders that are covered with sea loch anemones and peacock worms. Wherever your torch shines, you will find life. A good torch is recommended, as the site can be quite dark. At the base of the wall at a depth of 30 metres, the loch bottom continues to slope gently downwards into the depths. The main attraction of this dive is the marine life to be found clinging to the rocks. Continue to follow the cliff / boulders until you reach the shell slope and pinnacles (10 mins). Turn here and ascend into shallower water when heading back to the entry point… The strange green and yellow waters of the fresh water halocline soeties found in the top 6 metres of the surface waters adds a surreal background to the sight of the anemone strewn boulders.
The whole shoreline looks very similar from the water – it is very useful to clearly mark the egress point at the surface and / or in the water.
Mobile phone network – Orange / Voadphone
Nearest Phone Arrochar beside Pit Stop Diner
Conger Alley (Ardgarton Reef / Ali’s Reef) GR NN277033
(No Tidal Issues) N59.191568 W4.776853
This site is situated almost directly across the loch opposite the cave site described above. It is situated on the A83 a short distance from the Ardgarten campsite a couple of miles south of Arrochar. This site is also sometimes known as the Ardgarton reef.
It is a safe dive site suitable for all grades of divers and is often used for training. It is essentially two rocky reefs over a gently sloping sandy seabed (6-30m)
Car park space is available if you arrive early, in a couple of lay by spaces next to the white cottage. If this space is full, then there is a bigger lay by situated 200m further down the road which offers many more spaces although involves a longer walk down to the entry point on the beach which is situated to the right of a distinctive large boulder opposite white house. Access into the water is quite easy and you quickly drop down a muddy slope.
Head out at 90degrees to the shore to the bottom at 30m and turn left up the lock approximately 30 degrees to the edge of the slope. After one minute you will come to the bottom of the bottom reef an area of rocks situated at around 23 metres. The rocks are covered in marine life and it is here that you are likely to find the main attraction of this site, a colony of conger eels that live in the nooks and crannies beneath he marine encrusted rocks. A good torch is useful for shining into these holes and the shining beam also seems to act as a magnet for enticing some of the eels to advance out of their lairs. The eels themselves appear to have become quite use to the attentions of inquisitive divers. That said they are still wild animals and some are quite large so should be treated with care and respect; look but don’t touch! Zig zag up the reef to the top avoiding kicking up silt. At the top continue to come up to approximately 15m and you will come to the bottom of the upper reef a second area of rocks where again more conger eels might be found. From here it a relatively short swim back to the entry point. (If you head down to 12-15m turn left and fin to the top reef you can miss the bottom reef all together) If the viz is not good after rain it normally improves beyond 6-8m
Mobile phone network – Orange / Vodaphone
Nearest Phone Entrance to Ardgarten campsite and at Esso petrol station at head of loch
Additional Options on Loch Long (Alternatives of for Sunday)
Twin Piers, also known as Conger Alley North
(close to Congor Alley) N56 11.41N 45:13W GR 292036
A gentle shore dive around remains of two disused piers suitable for all grades of diver including trainees – The site is best dived on a high tide – maximum depth 25m
This site is situated a few hundred metres up the road from the conger alley site. The remains of the abandoned piers are distinctive and unmistakeable. There is a limited amount of parking beside the concrete structure that was once the entrance out to the pier. The walkway across to the piers has long since disappeared leaving a short drop down onto a pebbly beach. Kit is perhaps best passed down this drop rather than individuals attempting to climb down ‘fully kitted’. It is a short swim out to the piers.
Head out to the left at 45 degrees to your entry you will soon find the wreckage of an old truck that fell in off the end of the pier – continue for a further 15m dropping down the sandy slope you will come across numerous mussels’ beds and feeding starfish. You will need to head left) until you come across a reef of large boulders that drop down the slope between 10 and 20 metres. These rocks have been colonised by conger eels that have taken advantage of the passages and cracks that have been hollowed out underneath these rocks. Close to this reef can also apparently be found the skeletal remains of a long lost workboat about 20ft long in around 14 metres of water.
Nearest public phone – at entrance to Ardgarten campsite and Esso petrol station
Mobile – Orange / Vodaphone
Pub / Café – Arrochar – Petrol Station – Pit Stop Diner
(Torpedoes) and Torpedo Testing Station are close by too but are sallow and best done at high tide being near the head of the Loch
29 Steps (Close to A Frames)
This is a famous shore dive on Loch Long that is a good training site with a gentle slope to 30m.
N56 7’83” W4 49’ 89” (G84 0EZ) No tidal issues
100m past Finnart Ocean Terminal – limited parking on other side of the road to the oil storage depot gate making sure not to block access. Descend 29 steps to shore carefully (can be slippy!)
Fin straight out from the old jetty and pass lots of junk put there for something interesting to look at and you get to some small ledges and a muddy slope to 30m
Public Phone at Finnart oil terminal car park
Mobile phone orange and vodaphone
Pub / café – Arrochar
Additional Loch Long Options – avoiding Loch Fyne if Rest and be thankful gets closed for any reason
Torpedo Station – (road / parking – long walk / fishermen)
Around head of Loch – take first left before twin piers down a little side road to a parking spot next to a wire fence before some abandoned houses – the pier is visible through the trees. Lat and Long 56.196506, -4.762912 Post Code G83 7AP
Entry point is just through trees next to parking spot (slippy). Enter water next to metal fence into mussel beds
Dive any time but better at high tide. From the entry point fin round in a circle to the end of the pier there is a lot of marine life to see if you look closely for it plus lots of old jars, shoes, gloves etc. associated with the pier. A silty slope to 15m
From the entry point fin around in a circle to meet the end of the pier
(Torpedos dive close by 250m walk to waterfall from carpark – 8-16m)
Glen Douglas Road End / Douglas Reef
A steep 60 degree slope and walls to 53m 3.6 miles south of Arrochar Park on the roadside on the road signposted to Glen Douglas – parking for 5 cars
Kit up and carefully cross the A814 stepping over the barrier about 10m to the left of the junction facing the sea. There is a path that drops down to a seetp drop onto flat slippery rocks with sea weed.
Swim out to 15m then turn right up the Loch. There are a few small clifs from 15 to 40m If you swim straight out you can reach 56m very quickly
Torpedo Post
From A83 turn left at Ardgarten Vistor Centre over the Croe Water bridge and left towards the Ardgarten Hotel. Once you reach the frst houses on your left parking is approximately 150 yds past these in a small layby for two cars
The approach to the site is fairly steep and challenging (sometimes boggy with trip hazzards) – it is 100yds to the shore – once at the shore head 30m north to the entry point where entry is easy
Head straight out from shore finning through a small kelp bed at 3m. This gives way to a gravel / stone slope down to approximately 10m where there is a bouder field that extends down to 22m. Within the boulder field are numerous huge boulders that form fascinating features with overhangs and a tunnel At 15m straight out from the entry point is a torpedo sitting vertically in the ground. Deeper on from the boulder reef is a sandy silt slope that tapers to 26m. Dotted around the area are numerous Fireworks Anemones and plenty of Langoustines. Return zig zagging up the boulder field which is covered in life.
Loch Fyne (Anchor Point) offers an option followed by a drive home. The visit could be extended but would require a drive to Glasgow for refills (prior to 6pm) facilitating a further two dives Sunday. There are lots of shore dives to choose from
Loch Fyne is beautiful along its entire length. It’s the second longest sea loch in Scotland. No tidal issues on either site
Anchor Point : GR NN 969811 N56.068670 W5.266670 on loch fine is a fine shore dive from A815 about half way between Lepinchapel and Gortein. Parking for six cars at top of path through trees to the beach. It can be dived at any state of the tide
There is a big rock on the right – enter the water to the left of rock facing the water. Follow cliff down to 20m or 30m mark on each reef and zig zag up the reed looking at small holes and cracks where you will see goldsinny and wrasse – deeper you will find plumose anemone around the two points
There sometimes can be a slight current here but easily manageable.
Nearest phone – Creggans Inn / Karnes Hotel
If you go over the reef near the big rock at entry point and head about 45 degrees right there is another reef – drop down to about 15m and fin for 5 mins to find the reef – there is another a couple of minutes further.
Seal Reef is good for parking if there are a lot of you but not the most exciting. It is 0.5m past St Catherines on A815 just off the Rest and be thankful A83 road. GR NN119 073
It is a boulder slope which is great for trainees and photographers because of the abundance of sea life and easy entry and exit points.
Entering the water go straight out to 12m and turn right where the boulder reef starts and goes down to 24m.
For a short dive stay on the first reef for a longer deeper dive head past the first reef up the loch to an another reef that goes down to 40m. Conger eels a plenty under the bigger rocks look upwards and see shoals of fish.
Additional Loch Fyne Options – there are many though some have limited parking:
On South / East Shore
Near Anchor Point :
Seilich
300m before anchor point – parking for three cars.
A short fin take you to the lip of a rocky slope to 5m – the slope then descends in sand – turn left after 5 mins and there is a small cascade o boulders petering out around 12-15m to sand. A few minutes further a similar cascade beyond which ater a further 5 minutes you come to a proper stepped rock descent.
Triple Reef
Can be dived at any state of the tide.
Park in layby next to telephone pole – room for three cars
Three reefs – the first directly off shore at 10-12m, the second slightly further north runs from 15-25m over a series of edges and the third is just below the cable that runs along this side of the loch at about 35m.
Possible Dive – head straight out over small drop off at 12m and head straight down till you meet the power cable around 30m – once at the cable follow it along for a few minutes north to where the cable falls over a small drop off. Follow wall straight up slope to 25m where it meets another small wall and some boulders then turn left facing the shore to hit third reef
Near Seal Reef :
The Bottle Dive
Parking room for six cars just beyond seal reef – Diving on a boulder slope head out towards the two orange buoys the reef starts at 12m it flattens out with plenty of langoustine and flatfish
St Catherine’s and St Catherine’s Pier – -PA25 8BA 56.2105770-5.0549230
Good training site for all levels, easy entry and good parking, the reef drops off from 10 mtrs to 30+mtrs, loads of life around from shoaling fish to conger eels, large crabs etc
two easy and popular dives on gentle slope dive easy parking and access
On North West Shore
Drishaig Reef
Easy roadside parking good dive on mud slope with boulders and lots of sea life. Swim out 150 degrees – turn 240 and 330 back
Dog Fish Reef
Plenty of roadside parking beside small car park and a short walk to dive site
A good dive on a boulder slope – head out and down to chosen depth turn left round into the bay and back – generally lots of dog fish
Stallion Rock (boat access ?)
56.1611520/ 5.1334370
Large pinicale that almost breaks the surface, boat dive Stallion Rock can be dived at any state of the tide.
Stallion Rock is the top of an underwater cliff that is almost entirely obscured at high tide. A veritable hidden gem, Stallion Rock is vertical in the middle with rounded shoulders and has an undercut base along almost all its length. This is a lovely rock pinnacle with vertical walls down to around 35m, an abundance of wildlife and excellent visibility (anything up to 10m).
60m walk from parking on a rough track from before Kenmore Village (4×4? & fit). Stallion rock breaks surface except at very high tide- enter water with stallion rock on the left and fin on surface to rock – the depth at the bottom is 37m with silt to boulder slope to your right – A good cliff face with a crack along the bottom with many fish – Pick depth and swim back diagonally upwards
A typical dive would be to free fall down the face starting just outside of the rock and descending past the overhang at 23m. At 32m the undercut provides a dramatic overhang to explore. When the bottom is reached at 35m, either choose to go north or south and follow the base along until ascending back up the face. The main face is smooth with some diagonal and horizontal cracks. Either side of the face is mostly sand and shells with some scattered boulders. There is some tidal movement, especially around the surface of the rock.
Swimming too close to the wall will disturb the sediment and impair visibility. The visibility is usually good but even so it is normally pitch black at the base of the wall. Some tidal movement can be present which speeds up as it goes round the rock especially near the surface but is not normally a consideration. After heavy rains, the visibility can drop to around 3m due to silt run off from the shoreline and the consequential halocline. Dropping under the silt-line, the visibility will improve again but sunlight will be quickly absorbed by the combination of silt above and depth below. A good torch and back up is essential.
The rock formation, darkness and depth make for a very atmospheric experience. This wall dive is considered one of the most impressive in any Scottish sea loch and is rated with many open-ocean sites.
Kenmore Point
Kenmore Point 56.1716000/ 5.1173650 (boat access ?) Can be dived at any state of the tide.
Shelterd Bay sloping gently, turning south west on a steep rock face. Kenmore Point is a rocky promontory with vertical wall faces on the left and right side of it. The vertical cliffs drop to a mud slope at 25m. The slope shelves away rapidly to 50m
From Furnace past Furnace Quarry and beyond down a bumpy road (4×4?) to Kenmore – parking for five cars along roadside. There are two sites here
Site 1 before the houses turn left down to bay – dive straight out into loch and head left along a great cliff face. Head along the bottom at your chosen depth and back diagonally upward
Site 2 –walk past the houses and down to the second bay – dive straight out into lock down to chosen depth turn right there are big rounded rocks here with cracks – also There is also a gnome garden in a small opening at 22m .
The large walls are the shelter to an array of small marine life. Here you can find the squat lobster (Munida rugosa) and large dahlia anemones (Urticna eques). On the cliff can be seen the Protanthia simplex anemone, extending their tentacles into the glimmering sunlight above. Large brilliantly-coloured sponges, sea squirts, feather starfish and brittle starfish are everywhere. You can also see purple sunstar, peacock worm, edible crabs, whelks and scallops. Fishes include black goby, long spined sea scorpion and dragonets.
Creggans Pier – car park next to pub the creggans Inn NN086023 56:10:29N 5:05:05W – along A815 south of loch – take track down to shale beach – potter around in bay – sea bed starts over rocks, pebbles followed by sand furtherout steep silty cliff
Fyne Face 56.0685290/ 5.265260-B8000, Cairndow PA27 8BU
This site goes under numerous names, good site with reefs at different depths, good life a round,
Gorton Point 56.04723630/ 5.2908450- B8000, Cairndow PA27 8BU
Slippery rocks at entry point, care taken when entering, nice site with reef dropping down to 30mtrs+, usual life some good sized plumose anemones
There are three walls at this dive site in various depths. Swimming down to around 17-20m, you will come across a submerged cable running north-south. The cable runs over a small wall first which can be followed down to about 30m. In comparison to the other two walls, this one is not particularly impressive. The cable does not actually go over the second wall, but dips into the sand. If you turn left at this point, on a good vis day you will see the top of the second wall. The second wall steps down to 52m.
The third wall is the most impressive in terms of colour and life. Take a compass bearing on the direction of the cable when it starts to go into the sand, and keep swimming in that direction. After a couple of minutes the cable reappears going up and over another wall absolutely covered in plumose anemones. This is only a shallow wall in depths of 8-20m, but worth the swim over to investigate.The bottom is sandy and scallops are plentiful. On a good day visibility can be up to 10 metres
Roddee Reef 56.2076170/ 5.0598910- A815, Cairndow PA25 8BA
Another good training site, parking can be limited, Reef drops from 12mtrs to 30mtrs+, good life amongst the boulders.
Tea Rooms- A83, Inveraray56.1324580-5.2270607
Great training site shelterd bay area, with deeper depths to be had on the other side of the break water, 8-10mtrs in bay 15mtrs+ on other side of breakwater.
Please respect cafe owners and park where asked to and keep the site clean, do not abuse their area
Furnace- Unnamed Road, Inveraray PA32 8XW56.1520430-5.1713960
Not sure if this can be dived anymore, quarry owners have been know to block of this site, check with office before entering.
Is a good site with steep boulder at the edge dropping down to 40mtrs+, shallower in the bay area
We can dive this from the boat
Furnace Quarry – fenced off at present not accessible from shore – boat dive
PA32 8XW N56:09:088 W5 10:48 – Can be dived at all states of tide.
It is one of Loch Fyne’s most intriguing sites, with a shipwreck and plenty of curious ballin wrasse, which will swim right up to you. The seabed is made up of rocks and boulders, presumably from the eponymous quarry. The maximum depth on this dive is 55m, although there is plenty to see at shallower depths!
From the shore there are/ were three possible entry points the first down the righ hand side of the wooden pier (steep slope), the second directly across from the pier you will see a cleared path to the water and third is a jumpat the mouth of the bay.
To dive the bay, go down the 45 degree boulder slope to 15m and turn left. This is a good site for edible crabs, some bigger fish including dogfish beneath the boulders, and sleeping congers that curl up like cats to nap on the seabed here. Smaller wildlife includes most of Loch Fyne’s regulars: squat lobsters, gobies, anemones, sea squirts, starfish etc.
The wreck of a small fishing boat, Bessa, lies below the pier at Furnace Quarry. She is known locally as ‘the B200’ as this appears to be the identification mark painted on her bow, although initial reports stated this as B2000. Bessa was registered in Belfast. Enter the water to the right of the pier and go straight down the 45 degree slope to the bottom and turn right – the wreck is 5m away at 43m – to dive the bay descend and turn left
The wreck is a wheelhouse-forward fishing vessel of length about 12.2m. This vessel sank in 18m while secured alongside the south corner of the pier in summer 1998 and lay inverted, oriented roughly NNW-SSE. The wreck was not stabilised, being supported by a single radar mast (a simple tube) close to the edge of a steep drop-off. She slipped off the drop off and now rests in deep water, lying on her port side, covered in silt and shrouded in darkness.
To find the B200, go straight down the 45 degree boulder slope to the bottom and turn right. The wreck is 5m away at 43m. It is approximately 43m to the top of the wreck and 46m to the seabed. Her propeller is missing but the cathodic protector and power block remain intact. Her condition has deteriorated in the last decade; her wheelhouse has collapsed in, and some fishing line has accumulated across the hull
Dive knives or shears and good torches are essential equipment on this dive
Other sites – boat access wrecks and scenic
http://www.fynepioneer.co.uk/sites/scenic/Triple-Reef-s-114.html
Dates : 18-20 September 2020
Time table Plan of Trip
Friday
14:00 Drive to Loch Long – c 230 miles from Barrow / Ulverston – c4 hours
Take A817 off A82 Loch Lomond Road beyond Glasgow
18:00 Briefing – Kit Up and Prepare for Diving
18:30 – 19:30 Dive 1 – A Frames (Max Depth –c20m)
Dive site next to the Finnart oil storage depot and naval pier.
Also sometimes described as the ‘Naval base’ or Finnart NS 241951
19:30 Drive to Hotel / Accommodation – Sun Set 19:45!
21:00 Dive briefing for Saturday – location to be agreed
Saturday
Dive sites locally are known to get busy so an early start is probably recommended!
08.30 Obtain Supplies for lunch (food and drink) – Drive to first Dive Site
The Caves (Max Depth – 30m) / Conger Alley (Max Depth – 30m)
09:00 Briefing, Kit Up and prepare for diving
09:30 – 10:30 Dive 2 –
11: 00 – 13:00 Lunch – relax – drive to second dive site
The Caves (Max Depth – 30m) / Conger Alley (Max Depth – 30m)
13:00 Briefing, Kit Up and prepare for diving
13:30 – 14:30 Dive 3 –
15:00 Pack up and drive home or to hotel / Accommodation / Refills – before 17:00
Sunday
08.30 Obtain Supplies for lunch (food and drink) – Drive to first Dive Site
Anchor Point (Max Depth – 30m)
09:30 Briefing, Kit Up and prepare for diving
10:00 – 10:30 Dive 4 – Anchor Point (Max Depth – 30m)
11: 00 – 13:00 Lunch – relax – drive to second dive site
13:00 Briefing, Kit Up and prepare for diving
13:30 – 14:30 Dive 5 –
15:00 Pack up and drive home
Contacts Dive Manager – Duncan Scott 07955889061
Emergency Contacts
Channel 16 Coast Guard : Emergency 999
Belfast Coastguard operations centre Phone 02891 463 933
Vale of Leven District Hospital Main Street, Alexandria, Glasgow G83 0UA
01389 754121 www.nhsggc.org.uk
DCI / Chamber – Scotland Call 0345 408 6008 to be connected with the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
UK Call 07831 151 523 to be connected to the British Hyperbaric (BHA) Diver Helpline..
At sea contact should be made via the [Coastguard] on VHF DSC (or Channel 16).
Nearest public defribulators – Arrochar Three Villages Hall Shore Road Arrochar G83 7AB
NB: Defibrillator kept within external cabinet on hall
and at Ardgartan Hotel South West of Arrochar G83 7AR
NB: Defib at reception desk, opening hours 7.00 am – 11.00 pm.
Supplementary Information – as of 12/09/2020 – updated nearer time
18-20 September 2020
Arrochar Springs Friday 18th September LW 06:49 HW (3.4m) 14:01
Saturday19th September HW (3.4m) 14:42
TBA – log range forecast good – 48 hoursSea State: Smooth or Slight; Visibility: Good, Weather: Good,
Sun Rise 06:45 Sun Set 19:43Water Temperature
Average Water Temperature – September 14 degrees Celsius
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2657018
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast-and-sea/inshore-waters#selected-location
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast-and-sea/tide-tables/7/401
http://www.ukho.gov.uk/easytide/EasyTide/ShowPrediction.aspx?PortID=0401&PredictionLength=7
Equipment Required
Divers: Dry Suit / Scuba, DSMB / Knife / Cutters / Torch plus spare / Compass
These are sea lochs – additional weights required 2-3Kg
2/3 Cylinders depending on number of dives – no local filling available (Glasgow 45mins)
Club Kit: O2 Kit / First Aid Kit / Portable Marine Band Radio
Safe diving practices to limits of Qualification – Recreational and Training possible
Buddy Pairs: to be assigned on day
Personnel Attending: TBA
Dive Manager – Deputy –
This is a scheduled dive for all grades – Supervised training of OD SD and DL and Additional recreational buddy diving within depth limits – Dive pairs and Dive Leaders have been assigned accordingly
· Dives to be conducted to BASC Safe diving practices – Dive with Buddy – All current members of BSAC – All Fit / happy to dive – All current members.
· Anything to be aware of or if the dive is unsuitable out of comfort zone please let me know after this briefing
· To carry out a SEEDS discussion prior to getting kitted up
· Agree Plan – purpose, objectives, max depth and time, approach to entry, loss of contact,
· Diving gear is heavy – helping each other kit up makes things much easier
· Carry out a Buddy (BAR) check prior to entering water
· Each Dive pair to give details of dive – max depth and time to log keeper
· Report to log keeper on exit from water
Site and Activity risk assessment has taken and recorded
Access – Road side locations – limited parking – fast vehicles – look out for one another
Access from to and over shore – slippy rocks and steps – uneven surfaces – slips and trips
Egress – similar – mark exit point on shore line for ease of recognition
Cold Water – dry / wet suits
Fishing Line / Ropes watch out for snags / nothing dangling or loose – knife and or cutters
Darkness / Poor or limited Visibility – buoyancy and finning keep off bottom
– surface layer particularly after heavy rain
-buddy diving – torch and spare – agree routines for loss contact
Depths of sites – watch depth / time and air consumption – consider Narcosis / IPO
Disorientation – safe compass bearing
Individual health – self declaration – fitness to dive – monitor buddy
Equipment Failure – stay in buddy pairs
Weather, Tide and Currents- forecast / outlook, briefing and awareness
Essential additional equipment
· Torch and backup / Compass /Knife / line cutter /DSMB / SMB
FA, O2, Marine Band Radio and Telephone on site
Risks –
Access – Road side locations – limited parking – fast vehicles – look out for one another Access – from to and over shore – slippy rocks and steps – uneven surfaces – slips and trips
Egress – similarity of shoreline – mark egress point clearly – surface and 6m
Handling heavy gear – training / buddy pairs
Cold Water –thermocline – dry suits
Fishing Line / Ropes watch out for snags / nothing dangling or loose
Deep Water – dive within limits – Buddy Diving – have a plan – max depth and time – air consumption – lookout Narcosis / IPO
Darkness / Poor or limited Visibility – buoyancy and finning keep off bottom – surface layer particularly after heavy rain – buddy diving – torch and spare – agree routines for loss contact Disorientation – set safe compass bearing
Drowning, swallowing inhaling excess water buddy / training / competent swimmer
Equipment failure – buddy pair – each carrying alternative air supply
The areas occasional might attract small boats so care on ascent and surfacing near shore or with DSMB
Entanglement – fishing nets / line
High Winds – Waves / Swell and Drift Currents? Thunder / Lightening – abort diving
Training / Panic – BSAC training agenda and qualified instructors
Fast ascent – first aid and O2 on site – call 999
Travel Risk – shared driving / shared cars / Emergency breakdown cover / shared phone numbers
Hazard Who Frequency Severity Risk evaluation Controls Immediate measures to deal with consequences if risk does occur
Heart Attack All Rare Potentially Fatal Medium Medical Self Declaration/Referral to Medical Referee CPR By Instructor or Trained SQEP Emergency Services Activation Plan
Ear Damage All Occasional Moderate Injury Medium Trainees receive specific instruction in ‘ear’ clearing. Divers or snorkelers do not dive with a cold Assistance from Buddy or Instructor Slow assent to surface and abandon dive
Hazard Who Frequency Severity Risk evaluation Controls Immediate measures to deal with consequences if risk does occur
Mask Squeeze Trainees Rare Minor Injury Low Only mask which encloses both eyes and nose in the same airspace used. Trainees receive specific instruction in mask equalisation and clearing Assistance from Instructor or buddy. Slow assent to surface and abandon dive if necessary
Injury from falling
cylinders All Rare Moderate Injury Low Trainees taught always to lay heavy equipment down. Divers assist each other getting ready Monitoring by Instructor First Aid by Instructor or SQEP
Running out of Air All Divers Occasional Fatal High All SCUBA sets fitted with cylinder pressure gauges. Monitoring by Buddy/Instructor BAR Check Instructor/Trainee Ratios in Accordance with BSAC Recommendations Plan the Dive All divers carry an AAS
Rapid Ascent All Divers Occasional Fatal High Progressive Training Correct weighting of all divers. Monitoring by Instructor/Buddy Instructor/Trainee Ratios in Accordance with BSAC Recommendations. Visual Datum used for ascent exercises where appropriate Diving monitored by shore cover – able to provide/direct assistance. Oxygen Administration Equipment and Trained Administrators onsite.
Entanglement in
Nets/ Lines/
Under-Water
Obstructions All Divers Rare Fatal Medium All Divers carry appropriate cutting implement (s) – Knife, Wire Snips, Line Cutter etc. Observe Anglers when entering/exiting the Water Assistance from Buddy
Hazard Who Frequency Severity Risk evaluation Controls Immediate measures to deal with consequences if risk does occur
Diver Separation All Divers Occasional Fatal High Divers to dive in Buddy Pairs at ALL TIMES. Contact to be maintained through-out the dive. Strobes and Buddy Lines recommended Divers to signal underwater using a torch/strobe for a short period. If not acknowledged proceed to surface – BUT UNDERTAKE MADATORY SAFTEY STOP/DECOMPRESSION REQUIREMENTS. Safe exit direction Render Assistance as Required. Apply First Aid and Hospitalise if Required.
Reduced
Underwater
Visibility All Divers Frequent Major Injury High Diver numbers in the Water to be controlled and monitored. Powerful Torch should be carried by all divers including a back-up Strobes and Buddy Lines recommended Navigate using a Compass and Take a Bearing of entry point prior to dive Dive to be Abandoned in the event of adverse reduced visibility. Divers to Surface and Exit Dive Marshall to abort diving. Deploy DSMB to provide datum
Boats/Marine
Craft – Diver
Strike All Divers Occasional Major Injury/Fatal High All divers should carry a DMSB. Divers to Assess on Ascent Dives should be conducted with a SMB near to point of entry/exit – Alpha Flag Summon Immediate Assistance from Shore Cover Phone Emergency Cover Undertake First Aid Apply First Aid and Hospitalise if Required. Depends on Severity of Strike
Trips/Slips and
tumbles All Occasional Minor Injury Low All divers should be aware when crossing the road to the shore-line. Hoods may obscure visibility. Shore-line may be slippy underfoot – Particularly after period of heavy rain – Divers to be advised and take care Undertake First Aid Apply First Aid and Hospitalise if Required.
Decompression
Illness All Divers Occasional Major Injury Medium Dives Planned and Conducted in Accordance with BSAC 88 Tables or Decompression Computer Recommended that Divers carry a back-up i.e. Spare Computer or Depth Gauge and watch. Oxygen Administration Equipment and Trained Administrators onsite.
Hazard Who Frequency Severity Risk evaluation Controls Immediate measures to deal with consequences if risk does occur
Immersion
Pulmonary
Oedema (IPO)
All Divers Occasional Fatal Moderate Progressive build up of depth and exercise for trainees Continued awareness and monitoring of self and buddy for breathlessness and confusion Assistance from buddy / instructor – surface and exit from water – administer first aid and seek medical assistance
Nitrogen Narcosis All Divers Frequent Fatal High Progressive Build-up of Depth for Trainees Progressive work-up dives for all divers who are going beyond their recent experience Experience gained from Instructor or Diver of Greater Experience at that depth Assistance from Buddy/Instructor
Pollution / Algae All Divers Occasional Moderate illness Medium Assessment of algae bloom and reference to advice from water authorities – abort dive if necessary Advise divers – avoid swallowing water – rinse face, mouth and mouth piece on exiting water
Water
Temperature All Divers Frequent Moderate Injury Low All Divers wear appropriate thermal protective clothing including dry suit, gloves and Hood Provide First Aid Treatment for Hypothermia Hospitalise
Rough Surface
Conditions All Divers Occasional Moderate Injury Low Weather Forecasts to be Taken prior to diving and recorded in the dive plan Diving to be aborted by Dive Marshall in the event of adverse weather conditions. Assistance by Buddy or Instructor Divers to Exit the Water Appropriate First Aid Hospitalise if Required.
Depth – No
Natural Break to
Restrict Depth All Divers High Fatal High All Divers to monitor depth Monitor Buddy Stick within Limits Assistance by Buddy or Instructor Oxygen Administration Equipment and Trained Administrators onsite. Appropriate First Aid Hospitalise if Required.
Dive Planning : Gas and Decompression planning – BSAC Tables
Dive to 25m for 18 mins – surface to surface – No decompression stops inc 3 min safety stop
Breathing rate * absolute pressure* time
25l/min* 3.5bar * 18 mins = 1575L requirement
Rule of thirds 1575 *1.5 = 2362.5L
Single 12 L @ 200bar – 2400 L (minimum rqt)
Single 15L @200bar – 3000L
Dive to 40m for 2 mins – 20 mins surface to surface – No decompression stops ink 3 min safety stop
Breathing rate * absolute pressure* time
25l/min* 5bar * 2 mins = 250 + 1050 = 1300L requirement
Rule of thirds 1575 *1.5 = 1950L
Single 12 L @ 200bar – 2400 L (minimum rqt)
Single 15L @200bar – 3000L
Dive the Plan
COVID 19 Shore Diving – BSAC Guidance https://www.bsac.com/document/shore-diving-guidance/ UK Govt Guidance 09/09/20 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-meeting-with-others-safely-social-distancing/coronavirus-covid-19-meeting-with-others-safely-social-distancing
Clearly self isolate and do not attend events if any symptoms exist or are suspected personally, within family or immediate contacts
Maintain Social Distancing as far as possible taking care during kitting up / dekitting etc… – Talk side on – not face to face – wear masks if close together – no shouting or spitting
Dive conservatively and well within limits
Car sharing is allowed particularly for short distances this makes sense (2 households only) – masks are recommended and windows open for improved ventilation f ace away from each other
And consider seating arrangements to maximise distance between people in the vehicle
Limit your interaction with anyone outside the group you are attending these places with even if you see other people you know
Only stay overnight away from your home in groups of up to two households (anyone in your support bubble counts as one household)
There is still a recommendation to only socialise in a group of up to six people from different households From 14 September in England it will be against the law to meet people you do not live with in a group larger than 6.
In Scotland it will only be possible for a maximum of six people from two households to meet together – either indoors or outdoors so care will be taken to assign groups in social circumstances. In the great outdoors for exercise and activity you can meet in groups of six from up to four other households
Air Fills and Dive Locations
COVID – 4/10/2020 – update – legally enforcable – with penalties
Any activity must demonstrate compliance to avoid participants and organisers being fined or worse
BSAC / England – Groups of six – groups should not interchange merge or mix You should try not to share a vehicle with those outside your household
Scotland – Outdoors, Indoors and in public areas Groups of six made up of only two houesholds – maintain social distance You may meet outdoors with members of one other household, up to a maximum group size of 6, for informal exercise or activity. You should only car share with members of your own, or extended, household,
Diving / living and socialising in pairs – if from different households – avoiding interchanging, mixing and merging
