Went on a trip on MV Flying Eagle with Charlie McG and his buddies from SUSAC to Little Cumbrae today. Left Largs back of 10am and were diving Trail Island at 11.30.
Trail Island - On east side of Little Cumbrae. It is a long stepped wall with lots of small life, dead mans fingers, urchins, starfish, crabs and prawns. The wall drops to 40m but because of the obvious steps you can easily pick your own depth. We managed 29m for 47 mins. Water is cold at 8 degrees. Viz was 3/4m. Definite green tinge to water. I missed the congers and lobster seen by other buddy pairs.
Powerpole - Had lunch and dived again at the back of 1 pm. It is an overhanging wall on the NW side of the island. Depth of wall to sandy/bouldery slope varies from 13 to 20m. Managed 17m for 33 mins. My suit flooded as I put on too many layers for my neckseal. Similar life to Trail Island although faster drift. I missed the seal seen by my dive buddies.
MV Flying Eagle is a 33' boat from Largs skippered by John Teevan. He is an ex diver so knows the reefs & wrecks of Cumbraes/ Bute/ Clyde intimately and can drop you right on the spot. Good warm wheelhouse and lots of tea. You either giant stride or half roll in but there is a good fin ladder for getting out. He'll do whole day or evening charters. The website address is in the diving Directory under 'Scottish Dayboats'.
Thanks to Charlie for the invite - a divesite description of both dives is en route to Gord.
alex
And for being patient despite our club members' faffing & frivolity 