So, another year, another refit. Phase one has been done, with Wayne Allen of Live Life and Dive coming to stay and doing a stunning job in the lounge.
We wanted to change the lounge as we had the feeling that it wasn’t too comfortable and could do with an update following the new carpet last year. So, the benches have been remade allowing a couple of extra bum spaces, sloped backs (far more comfortable) new thicker foam and covered in really, REALLY lovely fabric which I would swear was leather but is more forgiving and cleanable. A new table, the TV has moved, a bose ipod dock replacing the old stereo and last but not least - your very own fridge with freezer bit to be filled with all sorts of healthy things and not beer. Ok, that is a lie, you can fill it with beer.
Shiny shiny braaaaass
New lights have been put up to replace the old ones which we felt were a bit dated.
We will shortly be going to Fraserburgh for paint and I will update the page then.
You will be glad to hear that the fabulous Rob will be joining us for a second year, making tea, untying people from the bench, providing buckets of hot water and generally being just a bit bloody brilliant.
We hope to swap out our 24cft compressor and replace it with a brand spanky new 25cft model.
New benches are going to be made, the old ones currently in kit form destined for being burned in a wood burning stove at home! We hope to give everyone their own little tub to keep their bits and bobs in under the bench, which will also be big enough to admit a standard gear gulper crate. We also will make some “booster cushions” for the rebreather divers who struggle with the length of their units making them uncomfortable to put on.
And finally, after years of whinging and having the perpetual argument that “we already have one, it is noisy and expensive” I have a DISHWASHER! Oh how I will love it! A bit of cunning involved with plumbing the electrics (and taking various doors apart to get it in) and water in and we should be fine to run it on shore power, and providing we don’t set it off with 3 mugs in it too many times, I really hope it won’t use massive amounts of water.
The tumble dryer has been replaced, it started to make some really quite awful noises right at the end of the season, so out it came and in went a direct replacement to dry out your undersuits and towels for the next few years (I hope!).
We are adding little shelves beside each bed, just perfect for your glasses, a mobile phone, alarm clock or glass of water.
Wayne's porthole, beer fridge and charging points
One of the most useful updates to the boat has been a set of Personal Locator Beacons and a directional aerial meaning we can track them if they are used. This can also detect channel 16 broadcasts, so if you have one of the new emergency radios then we can easily track you down.
The lift is being tweeked and repaired, having withstood yet another season of abuse brilliantly. Both winches will be swapped out to ensure they work faultlessly for the coming season.
Dug the dog will be new and improved, ok maybe not new but hopefully improved. We have been doing dog classes over the winter and with a bit of luck he will be less of a cuddle seeking missile. There are many nice things in the world, but a cold wet dog nose where it isn’t wanted is not one of them!
The menu will be jigged around, with toad in the hole being swapped in as an evening meal, some new starters (probably haggis, neeps and tattie towers) and maybe Sam’s Sticky Toffee Pudding if I can bribe the recipe out of her!
Big Announcement time!
We have bought another boat! She will be named the MV Valhalla, 24m waterline length, steel, Loyal Class Fleet Tender. She has huge potential, being more or less a totally blank canvas for us to convert to our high standards. We aim to install en-suite cabins, plus at least one easy access deck level cabin for our customers with limited mobility. She is very much a project and will take at least 3 years to fully convert.
I look forward to seeing our first group of divers on board!
H&H & Rob & Dug