One of the most enthousiastic divers during Expeditie Noordzee 2014, was Gareth Lewis from the U.K. He came to view the wrecks at the British side of the Dogger Bank but dived all the Dutch wrecks as well. Gareth is a biologist by profession and an archeologist in his free time, but surprised us all when he provided us with a nice poem on the last evening of the expedition. Gareth, we hope to see you and hear your lyricks more often the coming years.
Expeditie 2014
Ambition expeditie 2014,
To dive the North Sea totally clean.
All aboard the Commandant Fourcault
The fish net cutting crew ready to begin their assault!
First dive, first in, its super hero Ben ‘10’ Stiefelhagen
The cool tape laying team with quick draw Wouter Mennen
Who is next over the top on this Friesian front line?
Photographers, lights and cameras that choice would be mine.
Klaudie, Udo, Cor, Jack and Jackie – O
Because they like the best viz … but they do go a bit slow.
So archaeologists or marine biologists who is next in the scope?
The smaller creature lovers that’s me, Oscar, Wouter, Lodewijk, Niels and Joop
Then come the archaeologists who need lots of room
A lot to explore, tape measures and scooters Peter Van Ling and Rob Verboom.
The fish net brigade next, and yes ‘Rocky Horrors’ of sorts
Each wreck guaranteed to be covered in nets from all fishing ports
Cut the nets; fill the bags fuller than full
Eddy Sea Shepherd, Michael, Willem and Cyriel
Derko Mulder too if it was not for his ears
Took over Dive leader duties no problems no fears
As Fred Groen sings the ‘Clean the seas’ shanty song
And the mischievous harmonies of Chris and Fleur bob blog blogging along
Harold Batteram and Erik Bronsweld
Navigating, checking where the next super wreck will be felt
Oestergronden, Doggersbank, nice depth and slack water please
You both always come up with the much needed goodies
But as Rob proclaimed ‘Souvenir Hunting’ was not the name of this trip
Any unknown wreck finds need filing and putting into the archaeologist’s salty dip
So as well as the wrecks we had the drop cam of Wouter Langkeek
Giving us great Nephrops cheer as out of its secret burrow it did peek
Night after moonlit night the cam went down
On mud, sand and gravel the Dab’s were in town
Let’s not forget our specialists who, like the birds, flew away
Arjan the expert on sea squirts scientific
Myrthe who listened in from National Geographic
Wim worrying about his flight in case he would have to swim that day too
But no worries as 007 Pim Rhodes came to the rescue
Ship’s Captain, Helicopter pilot cool dude extraordinaire
Who is this man, philanthropic and so debonair?
But hydraulic issues they come to us all
Just like a Porsche battery stuck on stall
But hey, with new pipes on board
Dives were go, go, go again, praise the Lord!
Frank can fix it, whilst Gabi masters the loadline of the RIB
Erin knows your number; there will be no damp camera squib
Gael and Stefan top crew always on hand
Tom Chef is the best! Amazing soup and Dutch food that is so incredibly grand
Then there is Sous(su), but I’ll call him Kris,
Because deep down masseurs … they like it like this.
Rineke arrived in style with lots of answers to get
From all of the divers like Joop in his red helmet
The other cuddlier Joep, friendly to all, of course was the dog Doberman
And less friendly side kick cat, the rare bird eating, Satan
Sabellaria spinulosa, Sepiola atlantica too
Latin names are second nature for this skillful crew.
Now that I have learned the true meaning of ‘lazing’
Not slouching in chairs, but serious lectures and debating!
Christa’s talk on plankton nets and microplastic
Makes the mission seem possible and us all feel fantastic!
This expedition makes me feel proud, that’s the way it is
Whether its Botvis, Botervis, Bruinvis or just great North Sea viz
So as we all find our space at 6 metres on the shotline of life
One person needs the thanks of my children and wife
Not just because he wears the ultimate T-shirt
But dishes them out too and keeps them from dirt
This man is Robertino the reason I stand breathing tonight
Thanks for the nitrox, helium and allowing us to be on the dive site
So as the expedition comes to a glorious end
The ships full of the waiting media tomorrow descend
Stay safe, healthy, happy and insane
And perhaps we can all do it again!!!
