Recently celebrating our 70th anniversary, our volunteer-run diving club is one of the oldest and most active on the south coast, welcoming qualified divers from all agencies. At the very heart of our activities is our club RHIB (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) which is often used 3-4 times a week during the season by enthusiastic members and guests, travelling from Poole to numerous dive sites along the Dorset coast: without our RHIB the club cannot function.

Just like a car, our RHIB requires ongoing maintenance to ensure it is safe, but apart from annual routine servicing after many years service it now requires complete (and costly) replacement of the inflatable tubes. This can no longer be delayed and must be undertaken before the 2025 dive season begins. That re-tubing would be required was well known, and for a considerable time the club has been raising funds to support this project. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there is still a shortfall and as a consequence, if the re-tubing does not go ahead at the end of the year there is a real risk that the club will no longer be viable.

Our club members are continuing their fundraising efforts - such as a sponsored underwater crochet project and a number of social events - but it is looking increasingly unlikely that this will be sufficient.

Any donations will be very welcome to support this critical project for Bournemouth and Poole Diving Club.