View this email in your browser Welcome to the first newsletter of 2018! And what a way to begin. In this issue we bring you the report from the January Winter Warmer event down on Portland; We showcase our best images on our Flickr pages; Take a look at our events calendar to see where we are heading this year; and we explain how YOU can help with the problem of Ghost Gear in your area. Portland Projects Winter Warmer Weekend Scimitar, Skin Deep, Fearless and Skin Deeper all lined up, ready to go on the

Portland Projects Winter Warmer Weekend.

Wind whistled through the rigging of the boats in , most of which were out of the water undergoing their winter repairs.

Shortly after our annual pilgrimage to Not much happens in January and looking at the colour of the water in Portland Harbour on the Friday afternoon before our planned event, you can see why.Wind whistled through the rigging of the boats in Portland Marina , most of which were out of the water undergoing their winter repairs.Shortly after our annual pilgrimage to Scapa Flow , I came up with the idea of a demo weekend down on Portland. The plan was to charter a boat and fill it half with experience Ghost Fishing divers and half with newbies, who were interested in joining the team.

I booked I was very taken aback at what happened next. One boat of 12 people filled within minutes of being advertised. I quickly got on the phone and booked another. That filled too. I booked another and then received a message from a chap called Dave Whitlow who offered a fourth if I needed it. We filled that one as well. Figuring 46 divers was enough to be dealing with, in addition to a waiting list of another 10, I figured this was going to turn into a sizeable event.I booked The Boat That Rocks and sorted out a hot buffet, a function room and bar all to ourselves and ran around picking up projectors and screens. The rest of the team sourced lobster pots, excessive numbers of old sorb cans and ropes to create makeshift ‘ Ghost Gear ’ for demonstrations and practice lifts.