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Tyneside scoop coveted BSAC Wreck Award 2015

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BSAC

The 2015 BSAC Wreck Award winners have just been announced – with Tyneside Branch 114 and their impressive report on the Gun Rocks project scooping first place.

The BSAC Wreck Award was launched in 2014 and aims to celebrate Britain’s underwater heritage by using BSAC members and clubs’ first-hand experiences to bring their favourite wreck sites to life.

Tied for second place in the 2015 Award are Southsea Branch – Mulberry 70 and Pilgrims SAC – A7 Survey project.

Also receiving a special commendation are iDive (Ipswich SAC) – the Live Bait Squadron; Ilfracombe and North Devon branch – the South Australia and Trafford SAC – Scapa Flow.

Wreck Award adjudicator and BSAC Underwater Heritage Advisor Jane Maddocks said that while the standard of entries for the 2015 award was extremely high, the Tyneside entry stood out.

image-27153-origTyneside have spent decades researching an area known as the Gun Rocks Cannon Site close to the Farne Islands. Led by Diving Officer Nic Faulkes (pictured with other club members), the club’s comprehensive Wreck Award 2015 entry outlined the work members have put into researching the cannons that lay on the bed of the North Sea.

Jane said: “I would like to thank all the BSAC clubs who submitted an entry for the 2015 Award, it was a pleasure to read all of them and I found the whole initiative really inspiring.

“It was a very close run thing as some other entries were also excellent. But Tyneside’s was just special and showed how they had worked with experts and got the whole club involved over many years. The report that was produced was remarkable and it shows what can happen when a BSAC club invests a great deal of time and effort into a project.”

Tyneside Branch 114 will be presented with their Wreck Award 2015 trophy by Jane Maddocks in the near future.

But in the meantime, you can read Tyneside Branch 114’s winning entry, the Gun Rocks project – along with the other 2015 entries – here.

Wreck Award 2016 – could your club be BSAC’s next winner?

BSAC’s Wreck Award will shortly be returning for 2016 and full details on the initiative and how your club can enter will be released soon.

But in the meantime, if you think you or your club could compile an engaging, inspiring and innovative report on your favourite wreck site, then you can start preparing now. You can use the coming dive season to take photos and video of your chosen site or start researching its history.

Ahead of the 2016 Wreck Award Launch, Jane Maddocks has also revealed a few creative report tips.

“While some previous entries have had an academic feel about them they don’t have to be academic. The Mulberry 70 project, as well as the South Australia entry, show how different ways of telling us about the project are lively and good to read and the 2014 winner added seafood recipes and even sea shanties to their entry!”

Marine Life & Conservation

Shark Trust launches Oceanic 31 Shark Art Auction

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After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.

People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:

https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction

It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.

The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.

One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.

Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:

https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24

Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.

Find out more here:

https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31

 Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”

Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction


Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden

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Gear News

Introducing the RS Series Drysuit from DYNAMICNORD

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drysuit

Cozy and warm in cold water.

It’s drysuit season all year round. With the new RS series premium drysuits from DYNAMICNORD, divers are perfectly equipped for all cold waters.

The sophisticated cut of the RS drysuits allows complete freedom of movement, providing maximum comfort. The high-quality 350 g/m² ripstop material with double ripstop zones on the elbows, knees, and crotch protect ensures extreme robustness as well as long life.

drysuit drysuit

The suit’s features leave nothing to be desired: A high-quality TiZip zipper, easily adjustable inlet and outlet valves, upgradeable with electrically heated underwear, HP bottleneck cuffs made of high-strength latex on the wrists, a 3mm neoprene neck cuff for maximum comfort, a 7mm hood with air outlet and 3mm boots made of double-sided, cross-layered neoprene with ankle straps and fin strap stoppers and a protective but very flexible sole.

drysuit

Noteworthy is the Molle fastening system, which can be used in a variable and compatible manner. This way, the two detachable leg pockets can be attached easily, safely and comfortably.

Alterations of boots to a different shoe size or adjustments to neck or wrist cuffs are done free of charge at the own DYNAMICNORD service centre in Germany in only a couple of days.

The matching Dynaskins made with high-quality Polartec® technology are available in various designs. As an undersuit under the drysuit, as a single suit in warm waters or as a two-piece suit. Polartec® technology’s main features are neutral buoyancy, breathablilty and quick-drying.

drysuit

Dynaskins are made largely from recycled plastic bottles.

The drysuit RS-351 for men and RS-352 for women are now available at your DYNAMICNORD dealer and in the online store.

Colors men and women: Black-Blue and Black-Burgundy

Sizes men: XS-4XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, MLS, MLT, LS, LT, XLS, XLT, 2XLS, 3XLS, 4XLS

Sizes Women: XS-XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, LS, XLS

DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.

www.dynamicnord.com

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