Red Dragon Divers News & Events
Dive Planning Meeting / Curry Night 22nd February 2012
The club will be meeting in the Raj Balti House (Market St, Haverfordwest) at 7.30 pm, on Wednesday 22nd February, to discuss this year's dive plan and opportunities to celebrate the club's 40th anniversary.
All club members and partners are welcome - please could those wishing to attend let Colin know before the 18th February.
Meet Red Dragon Divers 11th February 2012
A number of members turned out on saturday 11th February, 2012 on the Old Bridge, Haverfordwest (nr Wilkinsons) for a recruitment day.
Despite the cold weather it was nice to meet some new faces while raising the profile of the club.
Try Dive 14th January 2012
Six willing 'victims' took part in the first 'Try Dive' of the year at Fishguard Leisure Centre on Saturday 14th January.
Pete Davies gave an engaging introduction to the club, and scuba diving generally. Then everyone had to chance to get familiar with the equipment in the classroom before moving from theory to action in the pool under the supervision of the club's instructors.
Well done to all who took part - the new divers took to it like naturals and we hope to see them back with the club soon!
Club Christmas Dinner - 24th November 2011
There was a good turnout of diners/divers for the club's Christmas Meal, held at Pembrokeshire College ...
including Colin, the club's new chairman, and Vernis, the new membership secretary!
A big vote of thanks must go to Liz for organising the evening
Meet the Club - Castle Square, Haverfordwest - 19th November 2011
Red Dragon Divers held a recruitment day on saturday 19th November in Castle Square. Manned by Colin and Richard, with other members popping by to lend a hand, the professional display, big orange boat and free gifts generated lots of interest from propsective new members - with more than a few drawn to the sight of Richard in full drysuit.
Consequently, we hope to see some new faces when diving resumes next season.
Well done to Colin for for getting the banner and other promotional material from BSAC! Special mention must also be given to the elderly gent who came up to tell us the old chestnut: Why do divers sit on the edge of the boat and roll backwards into the water? Because if they rolled forwards into the boat they would hurt themselves! (Boom! Boom!) Good to see that one brought out of the 'old jokes' home now and again ...
The Wreck of the Hermina
At low water springs on Saturday, 19th September 2009 a group of club members, led by diving officer Richard Hughes, ribbed round to Needle Rock, between Fishguard Harbour and Dinas Island, to survey the wreckage of the Hermina, a three masted Dutch motor schooner that ran agound there in mountainous seas and a north westerly gale in December 1920.
It turned into Fishguard lifeboat station's most famous and heroic rescue, with all but one of the Hermina's seamen eventually being saved. During the rescue the lifeboat's engine was flooded, leaving its crew with no other means of propulsion than oars, jib and mizzen sail, which was ripped to shreds by the wind. In all it took the lifeboat three hours to return the two miles to harbour. Three members of the Hermina's crew, the captain, chief officer and third mate, remained on board. The captain and his chief officer were later rescued by the cliff rescue team but the third mate was swept away and drowned.
The lifeboat was the Charterhouse and now, ninety years after the event, she has returned to Fishguard, where she is undergoing major repairs and refurbishment. For the full story of the Hermina rescue, read Tom Bennett's excellent booklet The Story of Fishguard Lifeboats, published by West Wales Publications. All profits from sales will be given to the RBLI.
These photograhs, taken by Richard Hughes, show parts of the Hermina's engine and flywheel - all that can be seen of the ship above the low water line.
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Club t-shirts
Club t-shirts with the Red Dragon Divers logo are now available in several sizes and two styles (ladies' V-neck and traditional) at £9.99 each from The Bag Shop, Riverside Market, Haverfordwest. Polo shirts are also available with the same logo at £12.99 each. Orders may take up to a week. Polo shirts are also available at £12.99u prefelub tee-shirts are now available in two styles and several sizes at £9.99 each from The Bag Shop, Riverside Market, Haverfordwest. If you prefer polo shirts, the cost is £12.99.
Cevamp, Mike and Me, a new book by club member Jackie Williamson
Published by Acorns Publishing at £8.99
To reserve your copy, please email cevamp@acornspublishing.co.uk or give Jackie a call on 01348 831862
The book tells the true story of a home-built Eventide yacht and her adventures in Cardigan Bay, the Irish Sea and beyond.
350 enthralling pages!
'A wonderful read' - Jamie Owen, writer, sailor and BBC presenter
Also by Jackie Williamson: Memory Seeds, an illustrated collction of light-hearted poetry: £5.95; Best Friends, the story of Dogs for the Disabled: £4.95. Both from acorns@acornspublishing.co.uk or telephone 01348 831862. Add £1 for p&p.