SIB Expedition 2003 - Orkney - Page 5

Allen · 10 November 2002, 19:32

Hi Keith,

Interesting thread. Thought you may like a pic taken from rib height.

The Old Man of Hoy is the one on the right. Er, I think.

Allen

Keith Hart · 10 November 2002, 22:34

Quote:

Now I know in theory I should be doing my coursework when in computing lessons, but I just can't do any programming or design work in a light room with no loud music!

Thanks Matt, just don't blame me if you fail your exams!!!

Keith (too tired for brackets) Hart

narked · 10 November 2002, 22:37

Don't worry about that Keith, I'll blame the tutors for not forcing me to do the work!

With any luck I won't need my A levels anyway, as the career I'm going into asks only for GCSEs! So the A levels are just a backup for if I don't get through the Navy dive school, plus they keep me occupied till I'm 18.

Matt

Keith Hart · 11 November 2002, 10:56

Great piccy Allen. So seeing as you already know the area....why aren't you on the expiditioneers mailing list. We need you local knowledge. Join up. You know you want to.

Keith ((couple of spare brackets there)) Hart

Keith Hart · 11 November 2002, 11:05

Orkney Factoid Just another factoid in a series designed to whet the appetitie of our intrepid Orkney SIB expiditioneers

The formal end of the Royal Navy using Scapa Flow as a base came on the 29th of March 1957, on a typical Spring Scapa day. The White Ensign was hauled down for the last time.

It was a grey windswept day with a gusty wind tugging at the ensign. There were fewer than 200 people present to watch the ceremony. There was not even a flag officer present to pay respects to the sterling service that Scapa Flow had paid to the Royal Navy and the country for 150 years.

The only Navy ship present was the boom defense ship HMS Barleycorn.

Well folks, we expiditioneers will pay our respects to this venerable harbour. The Vikings came over 1,200 years ago....the RIBs and SIBs of RIBNET will be there in 2003. The new invasion starts here.

RIBNET needs YOU. Sign up NOW orkney@blackhart.co.uk

Keith (tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat) Hart

Keith Hart · 11 November 2002, 15:28

Orkney Factoid
Just another factoid in a series designed to whet the appetitie of our intrepid Orkney SIB expiditioneers

The high latitude of Orkney (59 degrees north) means long hours of light in the summer but a winter of very short, grey days.

The Midsummer Solstice

At the midsummer solstice the sun rises in the north-east around 4 am, before setting again in the north-west at around 10.30 pm. As such the sun shines for six hours on north facing surfaces and is in the sky for some 18 hours.

But despite the long summer days, the altitude of the sun at noon is less than 60 degrees, so high temperatures are unusual.

When the summer sun finally sets, it remains just below the horizon so there is no true darkness - simply a period of extended twilight known in dialect as the "simmer dim".

The Midwinter Solstice

But there is a price to pay for the long hours of summer light.

By the time of the winter solstice in December, the sun is rising in the south-east after 9 am, setting around six hours later in the south-west.

During this "day" of weak, grey light, the sun barely reaches a midday altitude of 10 degrees. What sunshine there is is usually dependent on the cloud cover at the time, which can often make for days of near darkness.

Keith Hart

Allen · 11 November 2002, 18:44

And there I was thinking that the only noticable difference between winterand summer in the Orkneys was that you can see the grey sky merging in to the grey sea for longer in summer .....

The White Ensign was lowered at the Lyness naval base, and I just happen to have a pic of my battleship tied up there on a grey, grey day.

Not a busy spot, but the museum is well worth a visit.

Keith Hart · 11 November 2002, 18:58

Allen, I suppose like me, you had you photo taken standing 'under' the (one of) props from the 'Hampshire' that went down with Lord Kitchener off Marwick Head during WW1.

Keith (ohhh I can't wait) Hart

Keith Hart · 12 November 2002, 17:35

Brian

Here is a useful link: http://www.onlineweather.com/v4/uk/sailing/SF04.html

And one for everyone else: http://www.scotsmagazine.com/smft1098photo.htm#top

Keith (at work but it's quiet) Hart

Keith Hart · 12 November 2002, 18:00

U47, perhaps the most famous (or should that be infamous) U Boat of all time, sank The Royal Oak in Scapa Flow.

Read the details of U47 on this fascinating website dedicated to U Boats: http://uboat.net/boats/u47.htm

Keith (isn't the internet great) Hart

DM · 13 November 2002, 19:38

Quote:

Originally posted by Keith Hart

Keith (isn't the internet great) Hart

You are quite correct, my dear socko. (you definitely are Keith Hart). I've just been looking at a website about the wrecks in Scapa complete with pics. Should be paradise for the divers on the SIB expedition. Apparently there are seven major German ships still down there the rest being salvaged by an enterprising Black country firm, Cox and Danks. The ships were scuttled by having their seacocks hammered off. These were filled with concrete by the salvors to enable recovery. The remaining ships were too badly damaged to be raised. Just punch in scapaflow and loads of sites come up.

David(mine of useless information)Manning

Manos · 13 November 2002, 20:05

If this expedition takes place are there any BSAC or PADI etc who would like to dive also??

narked · 13 November 2002, 20:10

I'm taking my kit up if there's room in David's for it and if it's alright by him. A few other people are considering taking dive kit up. I'll be at minimum a BSAC Sport Diver by then, if possible higher. Some diving up their would be good practice, as shortly after I'll be starting my navy diver training.

Matt

RubberJonny · 13 November 2002, 20:18

I think you should all take dive gear as it always rains up there.
Sitting in a little SIB with the water spilling over the tubes
GREAT FUN

Manos · 13 November 2002, 20:38

It seems that some want to dive. I believe that the water will be clear (but cold) in August. However, diving in Scotland is a MUST!! I am a BSAC Open Water diver, is there any one who has a higher qualification than that so a SAFE dive can be arranged??

narked · 13 November 2002, 20:49

I'm currently doing Ocean Diver (what was Club Diver, equivalent of PADI open water) but have been diving for over a year. Reason qualifications aren't sorted is our club isn't exactly quick at getting training sorted. But I am making sure that I get as much training done as possible.

Yep, it'll be cold, but then the water is rarely warm for us

Matt (loves the cold) Brown

DJL · 13 November 2002, 21:02

I'm currently a PADI rescue diver, I might of done Dive Master by then if I get the time.

narked · 13 November 2002, 21:11

Hell I might even be tempted to take my wetsuit up and do some freediving! Depends how insane I feel at the time....

Matt

Keith Hart · 14 November 2002, 06:43

Quote:

I think you should all take dive gear as it always rains up there.

Yup, that why I'm getting a full drysuit!

Okay Matt, so what exactly is 'freediving'?

Keith (gosh I'm ignorant) Hart

Mike Garside · 14 November 2002, 06:54

Quote:

Originally posted by Manos
If this expedition takes place are there any BSAC or PADI etc who would like to dive also??

Manos, Diana and I are taking gear up with us. I have contacted a dive company that operates up there so as to put some wreck diving in. Safer and more interesting with local knowledge.

The company has a web site at...

www.jeanelaine.co.uk

I called them and they are going to send me details of their 2003 programme by post.

Cheers