Home Events - Seahorse Scuba Diving Club Holidays Sound of Mull Summer Adventure 2023 – MV Honeydew
MV Honeydew at Dunstaffnage Marina

Sound of Mull Summer Adventure 2023 – MV Honeydew

Having spoken with Sarah Chan of MV Honeydew last month while on our Scapa Flow holiday, she has confirmed that I can charter the vessel between 17th and 24th June 2023. For those unaware, Honeydew is the original name of MV Valkyrie as operated in Scapa Flow with her sister boat, MV Valhalla. Sarah purchased the boat from Hazel and Helen around November 2021, where Dunstaffnage near Oban is her new home. For those who have dived from Valkyrie in Scapa, Honeydew is the same vessel.

The itinerary will include the classic Sound of Mull wreck sites including the SS Rondo, SS Hispania, SS Shuna, SS Breda plus a little scenic diving. I’d like to suggest the SV John Preston, a cracking little wreck dive at 18m just out of Lochaline and the rarely dived George A West. We can also venture out of the Mull to the islands of Coll and Tiree, which I would find of interest.

SV John Preston
Painting of the SV John Preston. She was carrying Welsh slate to Fraserburgh where she floundered just off Lochaline.

We will board MV Honeydew on Saturday 17th June 2023 from Dunstaffnage Marina near Oban and disembark on Saturday 24th June 2023. That gives us seven nights on board and six days diving, of two dives a day. Accommodation will be on a full board basis, a self service breakfast and cooked lunch and evening meal. We will transit the Sound of Mull with stops at Tobermory and Lochaline.

Fun Day

Looking at my past logs, the majority of dives will be in the 25m to 30m range, with circa 50m for those who want to venture into the abyss of the Rondo! Ditto, my logs show water temperatures between 10degC and 11degC. This is certainly a recreational week and will suggest a PADI AOW or BSAC Sports Diver or above minimum qualification with drysuit speciality. Normal UK diving standards apply, independent use of DSMB, drysuit qualified, primary torch (and ideally backup torch) are minimum kit requirements.

There are six twin berth cabins with single bunk beds, all below deck. Two toilets are on board, one with shower. There is a second shower to the cabin area. There is a lounge with TV and fridge and galley.

Sound of Mull

Sarah has given me a cost of £750.00 for the week. This to include all diving, air fills, accommodation and food on a full board basis. Nitrox extra. Those with single cylinders will only need one as gas fills will be onboard between surface intervals and overnight.

You will need to make your own way to Dunstaffnage Marina and home. From my experience of Scapa last month, fuel is huge amount to budget and car sharing is recommended.

Costs and Payments

Open to all qualified divers, priority will be given to fully paid up members of the Seahorse Dive Club.

I am now taking £250.00 deposits to secure your place to be paid no later than 31st December 2022, an interim instalment of £250.00 by 28th February 2023 and a balance of £250.00 by 30th April 2023.

Cancellation

Payments and bookings will abide by normal diver etiquette and by the Seahorse Dive Club’s Expedition Organisation System and Rules in that in the event if your cancellation, the deposit, interim payment (if paid) and final payment (if paid) will be non-refundable and that outstanding payments remain due unless your place is replaced with another diver.

Responsibilities

The only responsibilities of the organiser (me) is to co-ordinate and facilitate a group booking of like minded divers with a dive charter or similar operator. On your behalf I collect monies from all divers and will pay the dive charter or operator on your behalf. Any diver joining a trip does not hold the organiser, or the Seahorse Dive Club, responsible or liable for any issues or circumstances arising. All and every diver attending the trip must agree that they are fit to dive and will dive within their certified qualifications and depth levels. They certify this to their buddy or team and the dive charter or operator.

Date

17 - 24 Jun 2023
Expired!

Time

All Day

Location

Dunstaffnage Marina
Dunstaffnage Marina
Dunbeg, Oban, Argyll Scotland PA37 1PX
Website
https://dunstaffnagemarina.co.uk/
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