Mike Penning joins Harbour Lights Scuba Diving Club and learns about their environmental project, Operation Spiny Spider Crab.

Hemel Hempstead MP, Mike Penning, joined youngsters from Harbour Lights Scuba Diving Club on their final tests before being allowed to take part in Operation Spiny Spider Crab in the sea off the Dorset coast. The project has been made possible with a grant of £7,000 from Hertfordshire Funding.

Operation Spiny Spider Crab has been created to provide skills and experiences which promote self confidence and discipline. The course activities will be enjoyed by all and deliver a worldwide recognised qualification in scuba diving. Included as part of the project is a First Aid course and finally researching the Spiny Spider Crab [Maja Squinado] at Kimmeridge Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve.

Mike was given a presentation about past and present activities of the project, by Harbour Lights Scuba Diving Club Instructor Gordon Harland.

Mike Penning is a qualified & experienced scuba and he joined the young divers in their last brush up of basic skills in the Hemel Hempstead Sports Centre Diving Pit before starting the last leg of their course and the completion of the project.

After the visit, Mike Penning said:
“I was impressed with the confidence and knowledge of the young divers and it is exciting to see an activity where young people have given up their time to be involved in an environmental project that could a marked effect on our Oceans – even though we are so far from the sea. Having not dived for over 6 months, it was great to get the chance again. I’m a qualified open water scuba diver and would encourage people of all ages to get involved in this wonderful sport."

Photo: Mike Penning gets ready to dive with the Harbour Lights Scuba Diving Club.

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