Kau Sai Wan

Present

• Paul Blackburn – Dive Marshall
• Paul Harrison – Asst Dive Marshall
• Brian Darvell
• Samson Chan
• Steve Sloan
• Chris Lawrence
• Paul Bayne

Objective

To assess and hopefully achieve three newly qualified Sports Divers.

To document the dive site and so assist future dive planning.


Location

Kau Sai Wan on Jin Island, Sai Kung, Hong Kong.

Report

The day began at 0745 at the compressor room where Paul H and Steve were already preparing gear. Paul Bl arrived at 0800 having spent 10 minutes trying to recruit the lady taxi driver into the SCDC. She may bring her daughters as well!

More people arrived except Paul Ba who had indicated the evening before his firm intention to dive. Of course that was before the 10 pints in Carnegies (it was Gin and Tonic actually and only 9 pints – Ed). Anyway he was eventually got out of bed and Chris went round to collect him and take him to Sai Kung. Meanwhile the rest of us loaded the van and made our way north.

In the end only a small delay and we set sail on Yip2 at 0945 on a 165degree bearing ETA 1030. The forecast was for force 5 to 6 North to North Easterly, but in the event the weather turned out to be very good- sea state flat and calm with only a light breeze. We had nevertheless planned for a short journey to a sheltered site offering a good sandy beach for the Sports Diver assessments in case the weather was poor. Our delayed departure made the short journey a wise choice.

We arrived on site at 10.20 and prepared to dive. Paul H the day before had unfortunately damaged his knee and declared himself not diving fit, which meant some rescheduling of the planned wave plan where Paul was to dive with Steve . Anyway the plan was reorganised and diving began at 1050.

Unfortunately Steve encountered a nosebleed just as he was about to commence his first dive. He sensibly decided to abort the dive and unfortunately was unable to dive for the rest of the day but managed to snorkel and assist during the beach stage of the sports diver training and assessments.

As regards the location, whilst it afforded a good beach and shallow waters for some of the exercises there is not much there for a fun dive. The water is very shallow unless you swim well out from the bay. The bottom is sandy with intermittent patches of weed and occasional anemones with attendant clown fish. With poor visibility there was little to see. Steve reported that snorkelling at the east of the bay revealed a rocky terrain supporting soft corals and sponges plus a reasonable array of small reef fish and the occasional crab. So whilst the site has benefit for open water training it may not be that good for exploratory diving.

Diving went according to the rearranged plan enabling the training and assessments to proceed as intended. Much needed to be covered causing us to have a long day. We had revision of CBL, we did AV, towing and beach landings plus an array of basic skills including buoyancy control, DV recovery, mask clearing and AAS use. Brian also managed to build in use of DSMB during the simulated deco dives.

Quote of the day goes to Steve, “ I cannot dive again, I’ve run out of clean underpants”. Work that one out!!

The day completed with 2 out of 3 candidates qualifying as Sports Divers.

We arrived back at the pier at 1820.

Thanks to Brian for his instruction, Steve for his assistance and Paul H for his assistance in dive marshalling.

Paul Blackburn DM and Training Officer