On 3rd August 2006, I met Chris Powell & Richard Everett in Ashford at 5.00 a.m. and after our breakfast en route we reached Swanage Pier by 9.00 a.m and were in the water by 9.43 a.m.

We began the dive together but within a few minutes separated. I made my way slowly along to the end of the pier, twice coming across Chris and Richard. They decided not to go to the far end of the pier, which was a shame because at the furthest point the visibility, at 4 metres, was at its best. I gradually returned to the dive entry point. Although I only had a 12 litre tank, the dive was extremely shallow and as a consequence I was able to spend 161 minutes underwater, my longest dive todate. I had enough air to have spent a further 10 or 15 minutes underwater but was becoming very cold in my semi-dry wetsuit and I realised that Chris and Richard must be waiting for me. Subsequently I learnt that they had concluded their dive an hour before me.

After the dive I felt very cold and happily headed off to a pub with Richard and Chris for a meal to warm up before we made our way to Lulworth Cove for the second dive of the day.