SKIPPER: Bill Ruck

The Top Cat

Top Cat's skipper Bill Ruck isn't adverse to a bit of adventure. Before turning his hand to ferrying divers around the Moray Firth in northeast Scotland, he worked as an offshore ROV-operator; before that, he was an air electronics operator with the RAF, searching for Russian subs from military aircraft.

So putting a shot on the ideal portion of the Tantivy shouldn't present too many difficulties. An easygoing skipper with a BSAC background, Bill, 40, has been taking out divers on his hardboat here for four years. As well as running diving trips to this area's premier dives - including sites such as the wrecks of the Verona, San Tiburcio and the submarine Tantivy - he is all too happy to facilitate exploratory dives.

Top Cat is equipped with a plotter and three GPS units, one of which is a differential unit - you're guaranteed a shot on the wreck. In fact, Bill showed me the chart on his plotter displaying the bow section of the San Tiburcio wreck which had an admirable 14 shot-line positions marked on it. It's a case of take your pick and you will be dropped on that spot. There is also a dual-frequency colour sounder, auto helm, three radios and a magnetometer. With the number of new sites that Bill has found, all this equipment is being put to good use.

The boat has a lot of deck space and she comfortably accommodated the 12 technical divers on my trip. There is a proper toilet facility below deck level on the starboard side of the boat. It's a steep, narrow descent down four steps into it, but this system does maximize deck space. The compressor is found at the bow. It's a noisy device and clatters away for up to two hours between dives. At least it's located in the bows, away from the divers who relax in the stern area. Bill is aware of this problem and is installing a new exhaust system, which should reduce the noise level dramatically.

The accommodation is comfortable and houses six divers. There is a small chart table and a cooker where Bill whips up some tasty curried spuds.

As the Top Cat is a fast boat, it is possible to dive further afield than the range of most charter vessels. In the six months that Bill has run Top Cat, his log indicates that he has already travelled half the distance covered by his previous boat in the four years prior. Bill is himself a diver, holding BSAC, PADI and IANTD cards in addition to various O2 administration qualifications. A calm and amiable skipper, he appears to relish the company of divers.

What we liked

Fast, roomy, stable boat with a great ladder. The boat is full of electronic wizardry, ensuring you are put on the mark. Skipper is easygoing and extremely knowledgeable about the area, putting you on the sites you want. Curried spuds are brilliant

What we didn't like

Noisy compressor, tricky to access toilet, limited cover in cabin for six divers if weather turns bad.

Boat: twin-hulled Blyth 33
Moored: Lossiemouth Harbour
Engines: twin 170hp diesel turbos
Date of manufacture: 1991
Cruising speed: 14 knots
Head: one yachting toilet
Maximum passengers: 12
Optimum passengers: 12
Charter rate: weekdays £30 per person per day, weekends £38 per person per day, £400 per day for whole boat.
Contact: Bill Ruck tel: 01309 690421
mobile: 07775 802963,
email: moraydiving@hotmail.com, website:http://www.moraydiving.com