Diary of a Deckhand

Well, here I am. Sat in Orkney which seems to have gained some strange hold over me.

The History

I first came here in 2002 to dive off the MV Jean-Elaine with Andy Cuthbertson. Venturing up into the northern isles, the cool clear waters fascinated me. As a diver, the underwater world seems to call me in, and the outstanding waters around these islands make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Returning less than three months later I was hooked. I constantly scanned the newspapers for a way to escape back to Orkney, but it took far longer than I ever thought.

In 2006 I got the chance to do what I always dreamed of - to work on a dive boat in Scapa Flow. The Stormdirft was a small dive boat, taking groups of up to 12 divers out to the wrecks of the German Fleet, owned and skippered by Hazel. After a season we got on so well we started to look at larger boats - a liveaboard which allows the divers to sleep on board as well as dive from the boat. So over the winter of 2006/7 we bought the Bounteous Sea, a boat which had already been converted for diving to a very high standard. Changing her name was done on a winters day:

Standing in the flurry of snow up on the shelter-deck roof, the words of George Mackay Brown are whipped away in the wind as soon as they leave the ministers lips. Myself, Carolyn and Hazel stand alone the significance of the moment isnt lost on any of us. 6 months ago, this day was a pipe dream subject of idle surface interval chats, many sketches of dive decks and cunning plans hatched and nurtured. So in the snow and wind of Stromness Harbour, the newest dive boat of the fleet is made known to any gods who may be watching.

I’m not religious, neither are Carolyn or Hazel, but the boat might be, so we thought it best to make sure. Many people dont know, but almost every fishing boat carries a bible on board. I would rather not consider when it is referred to by fishermen, as many people seem to either lose their religion or find it in times of extreme trouble. Ours is kept in the wheelhouse, and it never crossed our minds to get rid of it. I just dont think it would feel right to.

George was a poet based in Stromness, his works world famous and it seemed appropriate to read something of his on the Valkyrie.

Finally a blessing from Celtic tradition was said into the bitingly cold air, completing the ceremony. A bottle of Champagne is carried onto the whaleback by Hazel and the cork sent flying, some of the contents poured over the bows, drunk from and then the bottle passed to Carolyn and myself, pouring a generous splash over the name above the wheelhouse we then retreat inside to the welcome warmth. There was something unusual about this, an all female owned and crewed boat being blessed by a female minister. Make what you want of it, but it felt right.

A long night is had, much food, drink and merriment. The babies head is thoroughly wet, roll on the dive season.

2007
The season was long, much longer than anything on the Stormdrift. Groups came and went, each with their own individual personalities, traits and requirements. Many trials and tribulations were overcome. A nasty incident with a diver nearly drowning due to running out of gas scared us both and left its scars etched over our souls. A visit to Shetland was also a great challenge for us both. A new boat, a new adventure. Crossing the vast expanse of water between the islands of Orkney and Fair Isle we suddenly seemed to be a very small boat in a very big sea.