SKIPPER: Cam Small

The Thistle Photo:Scott Macdonald

North Berwick is a scenic seaside town with four sizeable offshore islands, many wrecks - discovered and undiscovered - and heaps of diving potential. Aquatrek Charters was the first operation to start up in the area, back in 1987. Owner-skipper Cam Small now runs the fast offshore 105 boat Thistle B.

Cam has been diving here for 30 years, so he has an excellent knowledge of the sites. He served in the Merchant Navy and is now employed by the offshore oil industry. On top of this, Cam has put in 13 years' service with the North Berwick lifeboat. He is also a qualified Captain, so you can see why the Thistle B is a clean and well-run boat, with safety foremost in the skipper's mind.

When Cam can't make it, relief skipper Brian Anderson takes the helm. He is unquestionably a capable skipper and a relaxed atmosphere usually prevails under his steady hand.

First impressions are good. The boat is clean and the deck is uncluttered. Railings completely surround all the gunwales and are fitted with wind and spray dodgers, which offer the diver some protection.

There is no shelter over the deck, but six divers can squeeze into the wheelhouse. Those left outside have to make do with the free tea and biscuits to keep warm if the weather is unkind.

Padded covers have been added to the engine hatch cover, along with a central backrest: it makes a good place to sit and relax. Similar cushions have been added at the stern shelf and there is a further seating area up against the wheelhouse bulkhead.

In the wheelhouse, you will find radar, (differential global positioning system) DGPS and sounders with which Cam and Brian easily find some of the area's more exciting wrecks, such as the slim profile of the U-77e. A standard marine head is located under the wheelhouse.

Thistle B is fitted with a side-mounted, single-spined ladder. This makes clambering back onto the boat as simple an affair as possible, even with twin-sets.

The vast majority of diving undertaken from the Thistle B revolves around the four islands just offshore and the fantastic diving that they provide. The most impressive of these is the Bass Rock. On this island's northeast side there's a cracking wall dive that goes down to 46m. The tide can run here, so ask Cam or Brian and they will be able to inform you which way it is likely to be flowing.

The Thistle B does not have an onboard compressor, which is a shame, but this is rarely an issue as most of the diving is around the islands close inshore. Gas fills can be arranged during lunch or the surface interval at Cam's harbour-side compressor station, which can deliver clean air to 300 bar. The Thistle B can operate up to 60 miles offshore, effectively opening up the whole of the outer Firth of Forth and the exciting diving it can provide.

What we liked
Clean, diver-friendly boat, excellent ladder, relaxed skippers

What we didn't like
Limited shelter and no onboard compressor

Boat: Offshore 10m
Moored: North Berwick
Engines: Ford Sabre 370hp turbo
Date of manufacture: 1990
Cruising speed: 14 knots
Head: one standard marine head
Maximum passengers: 12
Charter rate: £25 for two dives at local sites, £30 for two dives at offshore sites. Regular evening dives at reduced rates for clubs.
Contact: 01620 893952
Website: http://www.aquatrek.demon.co.uk