Topside photography

Not diving this weekend,  so Went to take pictures of a motorbike race.

Click here to see more of my topside images on Flikcr TOPSIDE IMAGES

MAY ISLAND IN AUGUST

Well after a few attempts, a return trip to the Isle of May in the firth of Forth was achieved on Friday 10 Aug. 2012.
The weather was superb and everybody had a great day out. The trip turned out to be so popular that Marine Quest had to take both boats. I really enjoyed myself and it was great to meet up with friends that i had not seen for a while and also to meet new ones too. My buddy for the day was Derek Borthwick, who was in fine posing form in the bulk of my photos.
Both boats had slightly different dive plans. Both dived the wreck of the Island MaGee and also had a Seal Dive to finish off. (SEALS ARE BEHIND YOU). The middle dive for one boat was on the scenic wreckage of the Island while our party dived the remains of the ss. Scotland.
The Isle of May is a spectacular place to visit in its own right but with super diving, great company and sunny calm weather this was an amazing trip for me.
Many thanks to Iain and Jim of Marine Quest and to Derek Borthwick (ace poser).
Here are a few of my images i hope you enjoy them.
Mike Clark

Shipwrecks of the Cunard Line

SHIPWRECS OF THE CUNARD LINE

By Sam Warwick and Mike Roussel

This book is 167 pages of everything you need to know about: yes you have guessed it Shipwrecks of the Cunard Line. It covers 20 shipwrecks from around the world in detail and there is a large section dedicated to “Other Shipwrecks”

This is a hardback book and it’s fit to grace any coffee table (if in fact coffee tables are still in use)?

Being about shipwrecks this book is certainly of interest for divers and there is lots of information about the underwater environment and the shipwrecks as they are found today. The history of these ships and their demise is also covered in detail.

For the Scottish Diver 2 shipwreck will be of very real interest as they both rest on Scotland’s seafloor.

Firstly the Campania which lies in the Firth of Forth. This is one I have dived a few times and as a photographer I have always struggled to get the desired results. But the photographer who took the shots did a fine job. The book even confirms that one of the guns on Campania is still intact as there is a good image of it.  Interesting facts such as the Campania’s unique ventilation system are also shown in images. I will make a note to look for these next time I am on the wreck.

The Aurania is also described in a large section, there are underwater images and also images of artefacts’ that have been raised from the wreck.

Other famous Cunard liners of note described in detail are the Lusitania and the Carpathia to name a couple but there are many more vessels with names that will be instantly recognisable to the diver that are described in the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I was impressed with the photography both above and under the water.

The RRP of the book is £20 and is published by The History Press.

Mike Clark

Re Scheduled May Island Dive Trip

Hi All,

Trip rescheduled to 10 Aug 2012

3 planned dives (you only need to do 2 if you want)

Dive 1 Mallard shipwreck 42 metres (rarely dived May Isle Shipwreck)

Dives 2 and 3 Scenic dives exploring the Big walls and ness ends of the island

Lunch is included and this is an all day trip.

Possibly landing on the island. Seabird and seal action guaranteed

Cost will vary depending on numbers but is likely to be £60 max (perhaps less if we fill the boat.)

Drop me an e mail to note interest

thanks

Mike Clark

TOP DIVING ON THE UPSIDE-DOWN WRECK

1st July found me on board marine Quest's Silver Sky. South Queensferry Sub Aqua Club were on board and were a great bunch. Jim E was at the helm and Mrs E's legendary home baking was also on board. Conditions on board were great and
Conditions at sea were near perfect and made for a perfect day out on the Firth of Forth. We were diving the Upside-down wreck (Don't know ID yet). This was a new wreck that I had never explored before.
here are some images from the trip. I hope you like them.

Mike