Citizen Science is Go!

Ever wondered about getting involved with Lundy Marine Fest? Tim Clements of Vobster Dive Centre gives us a taster…

Previously on ‘Lundy Marine Fest’ we’ve been waking up super early to do wreck photogrammetry and look for 15th Century cannons. This time, we’re back for a bit more photogram and a foray into the world of counting tiny anemones – all very worthwhile activities for the motivated citizen diver.

It’s a later start this time – the weather says 12noon ropes off. Luxury, it seems…. but more of that later. We’re off for low water slack on the Iona II and the MV Robert. However, price of fuel being what it is, we are slow one way and fast the other. This is the sloooow leg, but it’s a good chance to chat over task based diving with the team and the objectives for the trip. A quick pickup of the marine wardens on Lundy, who are also diving with us and we’re over the wrecks. This is Lundy two for one, with the wrecks right next door.

Greg and I are back on the midships of the Iona. This is where a totally unique engine lives under a crank shaft driving two collapsed paddlewheels. Since these were once 6.1m across and are now ‘debris’ it’s like trying to orientate a wooden washing machine hit by a gale. I settle for scanning everything to have a better look in the final model, but it’s still going to look giant ‘jenganeering’. Ha.

Over on the MV Robert, which at least looks like a proper wreck, three pairs are swiming transects and measuring scallops as part of the seabed monitoring. This is mostly their first foray into ‘task based ‘ diving and the keenness is palpable. Everyone arrives back on deck witrh a) some gas b) some data and c) lots of enthusiastic questions. Success.

Dive 2 is an evening on the Knoll Pins. Greg and I are scanning the canyon, cave and East site to investigate counting cup corals via orthomosiac. That’s a first for Lundy. The others are doing more traditional counts. Ben the skipper drops us totally bang on the first site – like within half a metre! Greg and I get scanning, pop a survey line in and then launch a bag for the others to descend on the target. They’re off counting and we’re off round the corner to Knoll Pins East. Another scan, complete with scal bars for precise measurement and it’s back on board for the fast trip home in the sunset.

Now, here’s the flipside of the late start. We still need an early (think 0530) start in the morning so its ‘fillsnchipsnsleep’ for everyone. I get to download and safeguard the data before a ‘nap’ and an early morning workout carrying the cylinders down the steps. Nothing that coffee can’t fix.

Back on Lundy the quick way and we’re aiming to extend the Gull Rock Cannon survey, with more scallop measuring for team 2. All neatly done before a bit of seal watching and home.

The data is still crunching round in the magic computer of Simon Brown at Deep 3D, but the initial results look good. One the citizend science dive, it looks like everyone who can will be back for 23rd August, which is the next Vobster date.

If this floats your boat, get straight over to www.lundymarinefestival.org.uk for more details and check out the projects page. There really are projects and activities for divers, walkers and snorkellers.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – diving is a privileged foray into another world and bringing back understanding or awareness is an excellent way to acknowledge that.

Thanks again to Fourth Element for the support, Barbara B for ace dive boating, Nautilus for lights and the team for a cracking couple of days out.’