After 2 years’ chasing this story in beautiful St Bride’s Bay, Pembrokeshire, BBC Autumnwatch broadcast a fabulous creepy edit of my film tonight. In it, Spider Crabs march in from deep water to the warm, shallow bay, where they use the safety of numbers to moult.

I loved Chris and Michaela’s demonstration using a russian doll and a painted sponge. What an inspired way to show how crabs emerge from their shells 30% larger.

The BBC team did a cracking job on the production of this film, from research, scripting, editing, colour grading to the music and all topped off with Martin’s excellent narration.

Sincere thanks to Lloyd and Ceri Jones at Haven Diving Services for all their support to film this story.

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Images and words by Andy

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100 years ago the British submarine HMS E49 struck a mine in the entrance to Balta Sound, Unst, Shetland, and sank with all hands. A ceremony on 12^th March 2017 will commemorate the loss of 31 men.

In 2012 I dived and filmed the wreck at 5am on a bright June morning. I think I captured more than images that day; watching it back I feel the reverence of this resting place. The wreck has been colonised by nature and wrapped in a shroud of white sand. This is a tranquil tomb now, and is a fitting memorial to the men who rest inside her.

The Shetland Amenity Trust have asked to use still images from my video on a memorial that’ll be unveiled in the centenary commemoration. It gives me great pleasure to do this.

I’ve uploaded the footage on Vimeo at best quality so it can be seen more widely. I’ve deliberately not cut anything from this film, so this is a 20-minute dive in full. I invite you to pour a glass of your favourite beverage and take the time to settle into this silent world. I hope that in doing so, you’ll experience the essence of this hallowed place.

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Images and words by Andy

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After the screening of our seahorse film at the BWPAwards last year, we got chatting to Emma and Leanne from the Wildlife Trusts. They asked us to get involved in a couple of projects for ‘Wildlife Watch’, the magazine for junior members. We gladly agreed.

Over the last few months, Jackie’s been working with Leanne to create a double-page article and design a wildlife filmmaking competition for kids. We’re both thrilled to be involved as judges and can’t wait to see the short-listed films later this year.

Here’s a copy of the article Jackie wrote and details of the wildlife filmmaking competition.

If your kids love the natural world, sign them up to Wildlife Watch here.

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Words by Jackie

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I was in Babbacombe last week to film a tiny tourist who’s put down some roots: Periclimenes sagittifer, a prawn who sets up home in our snakelock anemones. Sightings of this beautiful little animal have crept slowly north from the French Coast to the Channel Isles and to Swanage in 2007.

Huge thanks to photographer Terry Griffiths, the first diver to spot this teeny brightly-coloured visitor to Devon’s Riviera, and my guide to inhabited anemones. Thanks also to Mike and Michelle, Duane and Wayne for the warm welcome back to Babbacombe bay; it’s such a fabulous dive site and stunning location.

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Images and words by Andy

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A news report on the BBC website today remembers the centenary of a wartime “massacre of ships”.

One night in September 1916, 19 fishing boats from Scarborough were sent to the bottom one by one. However, all 126 lives were spared due to the compassionate actions of the German U-boat crew.

Here’s the full story: BBC News Report

In August 2007,  a small team dived one of the wrecks, 76m deep in the North Sea. Here’s real-time video of Colin and I finding the bell of the Otter.

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Images and words by Andy

Otter dive team: Colin Bell, Mally Jenkinson, Tim Lamplough, Andrew Oliver and myself.

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