Page 152 - AGC-Journal-2016

AGC JOURNAL 2016
Exercise
Javelin Kutsero 16
By Captain Fiona Rennet
Exercise Javelin Kutsero was
a Tri Service Adventurous
Training expedition
conducted over the period
12 February 2016 to 8
March 2016. The Expedition
involved diving activities
focussed on the World War 2
Japanese wrecks of Coron in
the Philippines. This article
focuses on the second group
which deployed over the
period 23 February 2016 to
8 March 2016. Participation
from the AGC in this group
included Sergeant Paul Neve
and myself.
Getting in the Water
After a long-haul flight to Manilla via
Taipei and then onward to Coron, the first
Dr Gwynne Roberts and Andrew Le Feuvre go through some final checks before the first dive lead Maru wreck, whilst Conner Packham
*2016 J Layout.indd 152
such a long journey. The evening saw one
of the experienced Advanced Divers and
Instructors, Chris Bone, deliver a lesson
on wreck appreciation. As a self-confessed
‘wreck-head, he explained the different
considerations to be taken into account
when wreck-diving, such as entanglement
in lines that have been left in the wreck
and gas management.
The first wave of divers ready to descend
day saw the Group conduct three shake
out dives. Considering this was the first
time some people had been in the water
for over a year, the day ran smoothly, with
everyone familiarising themselves with
the equipment, the boat and their new
buddies. Wenoll familiarisation training
was conducted to ensure that everyone
knew what to do in the event that oxygen
had to be administered. Further drills
were practised, including delayed surface Ali Ross briefs Dan Stein on the morning’s diving activities
marker buoy deployment and the ‘call Teething Problems
for air’ drill. This ensured that everyone
knew what to do if they themselves or
another diver became separated from As the week went on, some non-critical
their buddy or were running low on air. (and rather comical) equipment and
The day was a great success, and everyone administration issues surfaced. Ian
was delighted to get in the water after Strickland got back on the boat without
his Go Pro, which he thinks still lies
somewhere in the vicinity of the Taiei
almost lost his mask for good when it
popped off on entry and headed down the
shot of its own accord. Luckily, the Dive
Shop owner was able to quickly retrieve
the mask. A further malfunction was when
I bit through my regulator mouthpiece
whilst conducting my first dive lead into
a wreck, forcing me to use the octopus
regulator that I had, normally for the use
of my buddy should he run out of air.
The Week Progresses
As the days moved on, there was a chance
for the more experienced divers to take
the lead and navigate groups through the
wrecks, really putting the ‘adventure’ into
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