Despite protests and lobbying from divers and local dive operators, Portland Harbour Authority Ltd have made the ban on diving the Hood permanent.

"This is not about safety. Everybody locally knows that there is another agenda and nobody here trusts the Harbour Authority." That was the reaction of local dive operators after PHAL announced that diving on the Hood was banned - permanently.

PHAL send out a press release on 13 March announcing the decision, taken after they had looked at the results of their survey of the Hood. According to the release, "the state of the wreck gives cause for concern and that it is continuing to deteriorate in ways and to an extent which cannot be predicted."

All wrecks deterioriate, and, generally speaking, the extent and speed of the deterioration cannot be predicted. So apart from stating the obvious, what does PHAL's survey reveal? Divernet asked PHAL who carried out the survey, and whether it is publicly available. So far we have had no response.

Locals who observed the survey boat on site say that is was carried out by a local marine subcontractor - one which relies almost exclusively on PHAL for work. "It could hardly be described as an independent piece of work carried out by a disinterested party" remarked a Portland-based dive shop manager.

The press release offered the following gesture towards the diving community;
"PHAL is very aware of the importance of Portland to the recreational diving community and to the local businesses that provide for it. For that reason, the Harbour Authority will actively explore with the BSAC, SAA, PADI and the MCA a variety of options, including the feasibility of new opportunities for diving provision within the harbour limits."

As Easter - the traditional start of the UK diving season - approaches, it remains to be seen what impact the loss of the Hood has on diver numbers in Portland and Weymouth. "Let's face it, losing your most popular wreck could hardly be described as a selling point" commented a dive shop worker.

You can add your name to those asking for the ban to be withdrawn here.



Related links
Dive Dorset's Hood campaign
Previous news story about the Hood diving ban
Wreck tour of the Hood
John Liddiard on Weymouth dives
Top 100 wreck dives
Portland Port website


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