Swanage Dive Weekend 14th & 15th September 2024
LET’S GO DIVING!
With plenty of wreck, scenic or shore dives to do, the area around Swanage is fantastic for both new and seasoned divers.
The boat is booked for 2 dives Saturday and 2 Dives on Sunday. Max depth will be 30m.
We are scheduled to do:
Saturday
Black Hawk Bow (18m), followed by Durdle Door (10m approx)
Sunday
The Fleur De Lys (13m) and the Kyarra (30m)
The cost for diving the 3 Wrecks and 1 Scenic Dive is £140 per person
The depth of the last dive of the weekend is 30m, therefore in order to do the last dive on Sunday, you will need to be Advanced Open Water, if you are not yet there, we could arrange to get you to Advanced level between now and then, or could complete it on the trip.
ACCOMMODATION
As with most of our UK trips, we are not arranging accommodation, just the diving.
The B&Bs and hotels should be easier to get into and cheaper as this is not in school holiday time, it also means you get to choose where you stay, whether it be the local B&B, a local Spa Hotel or something in-between, everyone gets to choose.
DIVE TIMES
The ropes away times are when the boat leaves the pontoon, you will need to allow kitting up time and loading time before this.
Ropes Off: On the Saturday will be at 12:55, on the Sunday it will be 11:30.
This choice allows time to travel down on the Saturday morning.
To confirm your space we would need the full £140 to be transferred to Ocean View Diving. If you drop out once confirmed, you fill the space or lose the money! Get booking your accommodation!
We are sending a member of staff, so there are 11 Boat spaces in total.
Don’t miss out, this trip filled up quickly last year.
The boat we are using will have a lift on the rear of the boat 🙂
SWANAGE PIER
There is a charge for using the Pier for Diving
Diving Fees: Adult Diving Charge £3.50 per day
This charge is to keep the restoration of the pier going.
You can park on the pier if there are spaces, the cost of this is below.
Parking spaces on the pier are limited and are offered on a first come first served basis.
Reservations are not accepted and spaces tend to fill up quickly, particularly in the summer months, so we advise early arrival.
There is either an hourly or daily parking fee which varies depending on the season. Your entry and parking fees help to contribute to the on-going restoration work on Swanage Pier.
PARKING FOR THE DIVES
PRICES
Summer: 1st April – 30th June & 1st – 30th September (inclusive)
Car parking
All day £10.50
Up to 4 hours £7.00
Up to 2 hours £5.00
Up to 1 hour £2.50
Large vans All day £12.50 Up to 4 hours £7.50
F.A.Qs
Here are some helpful answers to FAQs from the boats website, with an extra bit of info from us regarding cylinders.
What time do I need to be ready to board the boat?
Please be ready to board the boat a minimum of 15 minutes prior to departure. Do not be concerned if the boat is not at the pier as it is usually on a trip beforehand.
Where do we find you?
The boat leaves from the light grey pontoon off the lower boat deck on Swanage pier (you can see it from the pier entrance). Walk past the dive shop (separate business), for approx 75 metres. The lower boat deck is on the left hand side. Mary Jo is a yellow and white hardboat, Viper is a white and black hardboat.
Where can I get air/nitrox?
Both are available from the dive shop on the Pier.
You will need to bring 2 cylinders with you to enable you to do both dives each day without having to fill up between, if you own one, then you can hire a second cylinder from us for the weekend.
On the Saturday, the dives are planned to stay out on the boat between dives, which will not allow for air fills to be done. The timing of the dives on Sunday will allow time for fills to be done in the morning.
What time does the pier open?
As a general rule the pier opens at 7am on weekends and 8am midweek and closes at 5pm.
We have a trip returning to the pier after it closes, so how do we get off the pier?
The crew will let you off. Please make sure you return your trollies and are ready to leave reasonably promptly after we return. The skipper will put the boat back on its mooring and meet you at the pier entrance.
Are there any trolleys for transporting my kit?
Yes! The pier provide trolleys which are free to use for your diving kit. They can be found next to the Gents toilets before you get to the pier. You may leave the trolley(s) on the pier near our pontoon whilst you are out on a dive, but please leave them neatly stacked against the railings as there are other users of the pier and the pontoon, so please be considerate and keep access free. Please return your trolley once you are finished with it.
What if the weather is looking unpredictable?
To ensure we have the latest weather prediction, we usually wait until the evening forecast to make a decision as to whether the dives will go ahead. If we feel circumstances are not suitable/unsafe, we will notify you the evening before. If you intend to leave before this time, please call us.
Do I get a refund should the diving be cancelled?
Yes, only if the skipper decides to cancel, you will get a full refund. Any deposit or advance payment may also be carried forward to another date, if you so wish.
If the pier parking is full where else can I park?
There is a large car pack adjacent to the pier (approx 200 metres). We suggest you get yourself a trolley, unload your kit at the pier entrance and then park your car.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
The small print below are the the boat booking conditions:
The Boat(s)
The boat(s) and skipper are insured and licensed with the MCA. Mary Jo has a 20 mile licence. Viper has a 60 mile licence. All the required safety and first aid equipment is carried and is regularly checked. Copies of certifications are onboard.
Boarding the boat
Please be ready to board the boat at least 15 minutes prior to the departure time.
Cancellation and changes by us
Diving is weather and tide dependant. We reserve the right to change boats, dive sites or departure times according to weather and operational requirements. On occasions due to sea, weather or safety considerations, We reserve the right to cancel the trip with minimum notice. Swanage Boat Charters Ltd is not responsible or liable for any external costs i.e. Hotel and travel costs. In this instance your payment will be credited to your account or refunded at your option.
You are advised to check your registered email before leaving to travel to Swanage as cancellations will be sent via email.
The Divers
No check is made of divers’ qualifications or fitness to dive. Diving is a potentially hazardous sport and should only be undertaken by suitably trained people. The skipper reserves the right to refuse to allow a diver into the water. You are responsible for the conduct of your own dive and for ensuring that you are trained and equipped for the dive site and that your equipment is safely stored on the boat. All dives require an S.M.B. (surface marker buoy). Dive times must not exceed 60 minutes (surface to surface) unless otherwise agreed by the skipper.
Supervision
This will be of a limited nature. Help and advice on dive times can only be given in general as it is up to divers themselves to decide on dive plans. We recommend you minimise movement whilst aboard and remain sat on a bench next to your kit once the boat is underway.
Diver List
A list of divers’ names, emergency contact name, contact number, cylinder size, gas mix, maximum dive time will be required on the day of the diving. A form will be provided for you to complete.
Liability
The boat and skipper are fully insured for third party liability. No liability will attach to Swanage Boat Charters Ltd in respect of any loss or damage or personal injury. Please take care when boarding or disembarking the vessel(s).
Swanage Dive Weekend 14th & 15th September 2024
