Phil prepped and checked Top Cat during the week before we towed it on Friday evening for Bridlington. We met up with Anna and Mark in the Lobster Pot bar to firm up the dive plan for Saturday. Plan A was to dive LV 83, however the forecast was marginal with moderate on shore NE winds. During the short dive season for Bridlington Bay there are only a few weekends when the journey time to the site of LV 83, the slack water window, tractor launch and recovery coincide.  

Phil’s meticulous research, organisation and dive planning meant we were in the hotel car park on Saturday morning at 6:30am ready to drive to Hornsea boat yard. Once there we loaded Top Cat ready for the tractor launch. Taking Top Cat off the trailer was challenging as there was a rolling surf which lifted and pushed the boat from side to side. Once we lest the shore we headed into a rather lumpy sea. We had agreed to try and get out to LV 83 but if we didn’t make good progress, we would call it after an hour an revert back to Plan B.

We passed the wind turbines, then gas platforms and crossed the shipping lane before completing the 28- mile journey to the dive site. Phil had 3 sets of marks from 3 different sources. The search for LV 83 began. We watched the plotter until it came into view. The wreck was shotted and we waited for the buoys to indicate the beginning of slack. Dive time was 35 minutes with Mark and Anna diving first as the tide eased and then Phil and Pat made their ascent as the tide pick up.

What a dive! It was as good as the last time in 2019. The viz was around 7/8M. Water temp 16C.
The wreck was still upright and intact. It had sunk following a collision with a Spanish trawler in 1967. As it came into view all we could see was colour. Every surface was plastered in white, green and orange Plumose. White Striped and the Orange and Brown Miniata variety of Elegant Anemones. Sholes of Bib and juvenile Pollack inhabited the holds and light tower. Ballan, Gold Sinny and Cukoo Wrasse were tucked under plates and into small spaces. We recovered the shot and returned to Hornsea. 
Getting Top Cat onto the trailer in the surf was as challenging as the launch but we eventually made it to the boat yard and dekit. Was an 11 hour day for a 35 minute dive worth it? Absolutely! This is one of the prettiest and best dives in the UK.

We met in the restaurant for an evening meal and to discuss the plan for Sunday.