Our RIB “Razorbill” is MCA Cat 4 commercially coded for up to 6 divers.
If required, we can also provide you an experienced local Diver as crew who can give you advice on your Dive /local sites etc, or who can make up the numbers /act as a Dive buddy if required (see “who we are” for further details of our crew and their relevant experience).
We carry all the necessary safety equipment associated with a Coded RIB, as well as dive rack for bottles and specific Diving associated safety gear.
We are able to offer you a bottle refilling service (by prior arrangement) and can advise you on local Dive sites including the many local wrecks and areas of beauty.
Snorkeling
On a fine day, why not charter “Razorbill” and bring along your Fins, mask and Snorkel and we can take you to some great spots to leave the boat and go snorkeling (a favourite is the ‘Witches Cauldron’). You can also bring along a picnic and we can drop you off on a secluded beach for lunch (weather /sea state permitting).
Seal and Dolphin Encounters
Close to our launch site we have a large colony (300 plus at times) of Grey Seals who use beaches only accessible by boat. Whilst we respect the Seals breeding /pupping /malting behaviour, many of the inquisitive seals will approach divers /snorkellors at many of our dive sites. These can be magical and memorable encounters, and a fantastic addition to any dive!
We also operate in an extremely Cetacean rich area. We must stress that we do not chase or drop in next to Dolphins and that we observe the marine codes of conduct at all times. However, inquisitive animals have been known to approach divers in the water at some popular sites.
We would note that we effectively offer a ‘taxi’ service to and from dive /snorkeling sites. As such, persons entering the water from the vessel do so at their own risk. It is the charterers responsibility to ensure that they are properly qualified and competent to undertake the activities for which they ‘enter the water’ and that they carry appropriate safety equipment /are responsible for their own equipment. Full details of the ‘Terms of Charter’ will be sent out in advance of charter for your prior approval /information. If you would like to see a copy of the “Terms of Charter” or our “Insurance Details”, please just drop us a line.
VIDEO Diving in North Pembs (October 2009)
Dive Shots – Underwater Life
The following is a Gallery of just some of the underwater life captured off our coast this year….
Wreck of SS Herefordshire – Cardigan Island
Built in 1905 by Harland and Wolff (Belfast) for the Bibby Line, the SS (steamship) ‘Herefordshire’ was on the Burma service until 1916 when she was converted into a hospital ship to serve the forces of Mesopotamia, Salonika, and East Africa until the end of 1917.
She was refitted in 1920 and ran as a cargo vessel until being laid up in Dartmouth in 1933. In March 1934 she was underway to Clyde shipbreakers, under the tow of two tugs when she broke her tow in a storm. She first ran aground toward Poppit beach and then broke free, coming to rest on the seaward side of Cardigan Island.
She was sunk where she rested – The below image shows the stricken ‘Herefordshire’ against the Island with the Coaster ‘Suir’ alongside (reproduced here with the kind permission of ‘Hanes Aberteifi’).
Her sinking indirectly led to Cardigan Island losing its Puffins. As she sank, the rats onboard rushed to the island where over a period of years they took the Puffins’ young from their burrows, stopping them from breeding successfully. Despite this, the Island (which is owned by the local Wildlife Trust) remains a very bird, seal and cetacean rich area. A good chance to do some sightseeing on route to / return from the dive!
Importantly, we can be at the island within just 5 to 10 minutes of launching, giving you maximum time in the water!
The rats are now gone, the Puffins are yet to return, but the ship, albeit well broken up, remains for us to dive on! She lies at some 12m depth. A large vessel at 7,182 tons, 450ft long and 55ft at the beam, she is rich with life (Lobster, Spider Crab, Brown Crab, Anenomies, Bass, Pollack, Dogfish, Wrasse and Bream) and her boilers and various metal work structures (bollards, cogs, railings etc) are easily recognisable with some interesting topography in the surrounding area. A really interesting and significant sized wreck dive suitable for experienced divers and novices alike, due to the depth!
Some underwater stills from the Herefordshire follow. You may also like to follow the below link to our video footage…….
VIDEO Wreck of SS Herefordshire – Exploring the Boilers
Wreck of the Gramsbergen
A 500 tonne Dutch cargo vessel launched and 1953 and sunk off Fishguard in 1954. She was taking shelter in the harbour when she broke her anchor chain, and unable to start her engines in time, she struck the rocks between Fishguard and Pwll Gwaleod. The 11 crew were rescued safely, but the lifeboat which attended had to itself be rescued when her propeller became rope fouled. She lies at around 12m and often has good visibility and slack currents.
VIDEO Wreck of the Gramsbergen – February 2010
The images below were taken by Sarah Chan, one of a dive party who dived the Gramsbergen with us in May 2010, and are reproduced here with her kind permission.
Diving out of Porthgain (Wrecks of the Vendome, Dan Beard, Carlsburga and more)
Porthgain is a favourite launch site due to the abundance of wrecks and life rich sites within easy reach (and not mention the great apres dive food and drinks at the ‘Sloop Inn’ and ‘The Shed’ seafood bistro).
VIDEO Diving from Porthgain with Monty Halls, Dan Stevenson (Deep Wreck Mysteries) and Stuart Keasley (Bottlefish) April 2010
As a taster of what Porthgain has to offer, the following images were taken on the wreck of the Dan Beard, by Stuart Keasley, a proffessional underwater cameraman, instructor and journalist….
Stuarts website ‘Bottlefish – Proffessional Diver Services’ is well worth a visit www.bottlefish.net
This second Porthgain Gallery is another from one from Sarah Chan taken May 2010 on a series of dives with approaching 20m visbility!
Wreck of SS Sutton – Aberporth / Mwnt
A single-screw steamship built in 1920 by Cochrane and Sons (Selby), for the Overton Steamship Company, Liverpool.
She had a length of 152 feet and a beam of 25 feet and a net tonnage of 210 tons. She was a coasting vessel with an extended quarter deck, with a short bridge-house aft.
She was sunk on her maiden cargo voyage in late 1925 along with her crew of 10. She was making passage having left Aberystwyth bound for Antwerp whilst carrying a cargo of largely zinc concentrates.
She lies roughly 3 miles from our launch site at Gwbert and in an area rich in cetaceans (bottlenose Dolphins in particular, although we very occasionally see Minke and an Orca was spotted nearby earlier this year!)
She sits at around 28 metres and is an interesting and life rich dive with similar inhabitants to the ‘Herefordshire’ as well as Congers and Shoals of fish. The sea bed around is also good for Scallops should you wish to pick up a few for your supper!
Underwater shots from the ‘Sutton’ will be added shortly….
Other Dive Sites
In addition, we also regularly dive a variety of other sites and can put together a package of dives on a mix and match basis (dependent on weather /tidal and sea state factors). Suitable Dive Sites include:
- HMS Whirlwind, WW2 Warship – 9miles offshore (requires specific conditions)
- Life Rich Slate Trenches – Cemaes Head Area
- ‘The Witches Cauldron’ – Sea Cave and Inland Basin (a snorkeling favourite)
- Medieval Salmon Trap – Poppit (good novice /shallow dive)
- Cwmtudu Beach / Natural Harbour
- Seal Bay – Good topography and, of course, the inquisitive Seals (300 plus at times)
In addition to the above sites, we can also launch out of sites across Wales including the many other popular dive sites across Pembrokeshire….. Further details are available by e-mail, just drop us a request: info@razorbillribs.co.uk
Dive Club /multiple Dive discounts can be arranged.
