Club boat

Diving from small boats has always been an important part of the Club's activities. In the early days members used an inflatable craft that had to assembled on the beach. We are now fortunate to have a highly capable rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB), fondly called ‘Vixen’. Fully kitted-up, Vixen can take up to eight divers and two crew members out to most UK dive sites.

Built from the dive version of Ribcraft's highly successful 6.8 metre offshore range, Vixen is powered by a Suzuki 175hp in-line four-cylinder four-stroke. She can achieve around 36 knots per hour but we prefer to cruise at a more economical 20 - 25 knots per hour.

On-board safety equipment includes a radar reflector, oxygen kit, first aid kit and offshore flare pack. Vixen is also installed with Lowrance electronics which allows integrated use of engine management data, side scan sonars, conventional sonar, GPS and cartography.

One of the main benefits of having our own boat is that we can explore wherever we choose, whenever we want. It also enables us to participate in wider community activities and celebrations.

In 2012, Vixen was one of 1,000 boats that took part in a international boat run along the Thames in London to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubliee Celebrations. Photos from the day can be seen in our gallery. In 2019 we took Vixen up to the Menai Straights with a view to participate in the 2019 RNLI boat run, however, poor weather meant that we couldn’t get into the water.

More recently we have taken Vixen down to Plymouth and up to the Farnes Islands for club trips.

We are always looking for people who are keen to learn to boat handle to become skippers with us, or already qualified Coxons who are looking to join us for club trips.