South East Cornwall's only voluntary scuba diving club can no longer dive because our boat engine has finally stopped working. To raise funds for a new engine we are offering some amazing experiences and gifts that would make unique Christmas presents. For example:-
Send a personalized underwater greeting Receive a limited edition T-Shirt
Please check out our other rewards we have on offer; these would make for a great Christmas present with a difference or an amazing treat for yourself; have you ever fancied seeing what is below the waves then why not take the plunge with a try-dive or viewing the Plymouth Fireworks Championship without the crowds from a boat?
Our Campaign
Our trusty boat engine of 19 years has finally retired itself and as the only community scuba diving club between Plymouth and Looe we cannot survive without an engine! How can South East Cornwall be Cornish without a scuba diving club? We have so far raised amongst ourselves more than half the required funds, but now we need help to close the gap so that we can pay for a new engine.
Why we need a new engine?
Without a boat engine, our Club cannot continue.
The current engine has been buzzing us around Plymouth Sound for 19 years; this is despite the average lifespan of an engine being 10-15 years. A lot of TLC by Club members has kept it going but it is no longer reliable or safe to use. We stopped diving in August because of this and have been looking at options ever since.
As it is not financially viable to repair the existing engine we have decided to raise funds to support the purchase of a new engine but after scrimping, saving and fund raising we are still £4890 short of what is required.
Without a boat the dive Club would be restricted to chartering boats and could lose members because this is not a cost effect method of diving as we only look to cover costs not make a profit. Also, we would lose our base at Torpoint Mosquito Sailing Club as this is where our boat is moored. Without a fixed base it would difficult to organise events and hold lectures.
Above all, the opportunity to dive Cornwall's South East Coast would be lost to current and future members.
A bit about us
Our Club has been going about 30 years and currently has a similar number of members of all ages, genders and background. We are a non-profit making club and charge a minimal amount for membership and dives to cover our overheads.
Anyone fit enough to dive can become a member of the Club and get the opportunity to learn to scuba dive, complete training and gain internationally recognised qualifications through the auspices of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC).
Once members have completed initial training they can choose to develop their scuba skills further in specialist fields such as photography, marine conservation, wreck diving and marine archaeology. Eventually they can build up qualifications to become a scuba instructor, at which point they can teach new members of the Club. Alternatively, they can just dive with the Club for fun in the beautiful waters of South East Cornwall. We do most of our diving in Cornwall where there are hundreds of fascinating ship wrecks, pretty coves and reefs. We also run trips across the UK and abroad so our members have lots of opportunities to expand their diving experience.
A bit about boat engines
Scuba diving becomes restrictive without access to a boat. Although diving can be done from the shore, the opportunities to do so are limited; indeed, we are often seen training and trying out new kit at Cawsand beach.
Our boat is a 5.8m rigid inflatable boat (RIB), and to take 8 divers and their heavy kit we need a reliable engine. As our boat engine operates in a harsh salt water environment it requires constant up-keep and maintenance; we are lucky that we have a number of competent boat mechanics in the Club that take on servicing and minor repairs.
The RNLI report that the vast majority of their call-outs relate to engine failure. As we do not want to become a RNLI statistic we have decided we must replace our engine.
Keeping the Club viable for the community
A new boat engine will put our Club on a sound basis for another 20 years. We will be able to introduce the next generation to scuba diving and continue to support the local coastal community when boat support is required: regattas, gig and dingy racing, sailing safety boat cover and beach cleaning expeditions.
We will be able to put on more dive trips and encourage more people to come and experience the fascinating underwater world we all love.
Why do we need your help?
East Cornwall Divers is a voluntary club whose members include students, pensioners and working people from a number of sectors: health, business, industry, ex-service personnel and education for example.
We all have two things in common - a passion for the underwater environment and busy lives. We have been saving for a new engine for a long time and have undertaken specific fund raising activities. Despite this, the need for an engine has overtaken our fundraising and we are now £4890 short of what is required.
We would like this in place for April 2018 so we can start the new dive season with a full plan of activities.
We do need your support to get back under the water!
Please look at our rewards: these will make exciting and unusual Christmas presents or a treat for yourself!