Feature: Dorothea Quarry - what is the solution?
24/03/2004

Following the sad death at Dorothea Quarry of another diver over the weekend, I would like to try and en-lighten some of the sceptics who criticize diving activities at that site.

I have in the past used Dorothea for training on many occasions, not only for experienced divers, but also for training students who have no open water knowledge whatsoever. Diving is considered a “risk” sport or pastime, but if one follows the rules set out by all the major training agencies, and the dive is properly planned and executed with the correct training and equipment, the risk is minimal. The major problems are generally with the various effects of depth, and people diving beyond there limits, without proper training for that type of dive.

Diving is pretty much like driving a car. We begin by learning the principals of driving, our car and its controls are our equipment. We have structured lessons followed by both theory and practical examinations, only when we have satisfied the examiner we are competent and safe, are we allowed on the open road. There are still rules and laws we must follow all the time we are driving. If we fail to do so we may get into trouble with the police.

Careful well trained drivers may never have an accident, whilst others totally ignore everything they were ever taught, driving beyond their limits and so have accidents or kill themselves. Although there will always be an element of “genuine accidents”. It is only the bad drivers having bad accidents we tend to hear about.

Put into context the site at Dorothea Quarry is basically split into two, the shallow side runs from 0m – 36m deep, the deeper side runs 30m – 100m+. The British Sub-Aqua Club (B.S.A.C.) trains people to dive to a maximum of 50m.


So you may ask yourself: "What is so special and safe in this body of water?"

· The water is fresh and pollution risk is very low.

· There are no tidal currents.

· The water visibility is usually very good.

· Depth ranges and depth can be chosen to accommodate the dive to suit the experience of the diver.

· Access to the water is excellent and unlike many other quarries you can stand up on entry and exit.

· The site appeals to the full spectrum of divers, from beginners under instruction, to the most technical deep, mixed gas dive for the technical diver.

· It is normally sheltered from the bad weather during the winter months.

· Car parking is good.

These points alone make the site a safer place to dive.


You may also ask: "So what are the dangers?"

· There are parts of the quarry that are very deep (50m+).

· There is no existing infrastructure and facilities.

· There is no control or policing of what is happening on a day to day basis.


In my opinion, what is needed at Dorothea is a dedicated dive centre to police who is doing what, and to what depth, ensuring divers are qualified, and if not, offering them training courses, supported by a proper infrastructure with first-aid and rescue facilities. This type of site could be a national centre of excellence, as just only a few miles away we have, Plas Menai for sailing and Plas y Brenin for Mountaineering.

Until facilities are in place the B.S.A.C have asked its members not to dive there. Unfortunately the needless trespass and diving will continue by non members or people who are intent on diving there. Just shutting divers out and hoping the problem goes away is not the way forward.

Why not to have a centre of excellence employing local people and educating divers and reducing the accidents and deaths. There are many good divers out there who have been diving at Dorothea for many years, without incident, and who, if asked, would freely give advice.

Neil Rawlinson. B.S.A.C Advanced Diver.
Diving Officer, Lleyn Sub-Aqua Club.

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