BSAC

Leicester Underwater Exploration Club (LUEC) has been awarded the Duke of Edinburgh's Prize for BSAC 2007 for their Expedition to the Isle of Skye.

 

This expedition was also part funded by the BSAC Jubilee Trust and BSAC Expeditionary Grant Scheme.

 

The LUEC group first visited Skye in 2006 to explore some new scenic sites and one or two of the better known wreck sites.  However, on one of the offshore reefs they were exploring they came across the remains of a previously unknown 18th century wreck site.  They returned in 2007 to explore the wreck further and conduct a more detailed survey.

 

 

This remote site lies between 10m and 40m on Eugene Rock, some 13 miles out of Uigg in the Little Minch.  They took all their own equipment including a RHIB, a compressor, and gas blending equipment.  From a base on Skye, LUEC organised a team of 28 divers to do more than 300 dives. As a direct result of this expedition, club members have gained masses of experience and confidence of expeditionary diving. 

 

The expeditions generated a huge amount of enthusiasm for going diving and learning new skills required.  Many BSAC skill development courses were run before and during the expedition, including boat handling, gas blending and some First Class Diver preparation.

 

Underwater surveying skills were gained through various Nautical Archeological Society (NAS) courses at Stoney Cove prior to the expedition and a number of Marine Conservation Society Seasearch surveys were completed on the expedition itself. 

 

In addition, various nautical archeologists were consulted throughout the expedition.  They considered the wreck of sufficient importance to schedule in time to continue the survey work once the LUEC team had departed.

Overall this was a fantastic expedition and the LUEC team led by Paul Morris are to be congratulated upon their well-earned success and for setting an excellent example for others to follow.
 
For more information on the BSAC Jubilee Trust Grants see http://www.bsac.org/page/76/bsa-jubilee-trust.htm

 

For more information on the BSAC Expeditionary Grants Scheme see