Dive Club’s New Boat Unveiled
Dingwall Youth Sub Aqua Club have taken delivery of a new £23,000 rescue and dive boat which was unveiled during a special get together for members, their families, sponsors and invited guests at the RNLI station in North Kessock on Saturday (20 October)
The boat, a 5.8 meter rigid inflatable with a 115HP main engine and a 4HP auxiliary engine, is fully equipped with radios, navigation aids and safety equipment. It will be used to provide safety cover for divers should they require assistance and will also make it possible to access alternative dive sites, allowing the students to develop their diving skills and experience.
Funding for the boat came from an Awards for All (Lottery Fund) grant of £10,000, a community grant from HIE Inverness and East Highland for £4166 and a Youth Development grant of £2500 from The Highland Council. A variety of local companies and organisations supported the club through financial donations of over £600 and Ross & Cromarty Sports Council provided £500. The group themselves raised the remainder of the money through a variety of fund-raising events including a sponsored swim across Loch Carron from South Strome to North Strome.
The club, run by Dingwall Academy teacher Jack Murray, is a Youth Branch of the British Sub Aqua Club with the school as its parent body. Currently there are 25 members and since it was launched in July 2000, the club has trained many students from the Academy as well as from other schools in the area.
Delighted with the new boat Jack Murray said: “We currently dive from shore in areas such as Loch Carron, Achilitibuie, Loch Duich and Auchmelvich but now with this wonderful new boat we will be able to access a much wider ranges of sites such as the wreck of the Port Napier at Kyle of Lochalsh, Summer Isles, Loch Hourne, the Valentine tank at Burghead bay, and many other locations that are not suitable for shore based diving.
“As well as developing their diving skills members will now also be able to learn skills in seamanship and boat handling.”
“Although all the students have been busy helping to raise funds through sponsored events, without the support of the sponsors, buying the boat would not have been possible so I would like to thank them for their help.”
Chairman Of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee, Councillor Bill Fernie said: “We were pleased to have been able to help with the cost of the new boat which I am certain will quickly prove to be a great asset to the club. The skills the young members learn will benefit them throughout their lives and I wish the club continued success.”
An Awards for All spokesman said: "We are delighted to support Dingwall Sub Aqua Dive Club to buy their new boat. It's great that Lottery funding has been used to complement funding raised by the whole community and we know that this new facility will be of benefit to everyone who uses it."
The main funders, as well as a number of representatives from local companies who have sponsored the boat in some form or another were invited to come along to see the boat and to meet the members of the club.
During the day the boat was launched and guests enjoyed short cruises along the firth. Over the next few weeks there will be a period of running in the engines and familiarisation with the boat and equipment.
The Diving Club currently has 25 members and new members are always welcome. Students are encouraged to take an active interest in the marine environment by getting involved with sea search activities to record the marine life and environment.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the club should contact Jack Murray at Dingwall Academy.