Skipper: Paul Gallagher
Having made a living from both scallop diving and commercial fishing before becoming a dive boat skipper, Paul Gallagher's wealth of knowledge acquired over 30 years of operating in the waters around Tobermory really shows. Here is a skipper who knows his operating area inside out - which is just as well, as his boat, the Silver Swift, has a wide range that covers much of the tidal, wreck-infested waters found around this part of western Scotland.

Paul, 56, oozes long-term experience, something which his boat-handling emphasises, especially when he pulls into the jetty at Tobermory. He calmly brings Silver Swift in and holds her off the wall with only inches to spare - absolute precision. Believe me, not all dive skippers are this good.

The mass of varnished wood inside the cabin is cosier than many more modern finishes, and has a homely feel which suits the boat. Everything on board has been tailored to be functional in the best traditions of sea-going usability. There is a range of navigation equipment, including an echosounder, GPS, plotter, radar and radio, and the boat has an autopilot and automatic trim controls.

Being based in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull means that Paul can access wrecks, such as the Hispania and Rondo, as well as wall dives in the Sound of Mull, but he will also run out past Ardnamurchin to the more remote sites around the Small Isles (Muck, Eigg, Rhum and Canna) as well as pinnacle dives such a Bo Fascadale. Many of the dives in this area are famous dive sites, but most require a reasonable degree of experience in order to dive them. Paul expects divers to organise their own dive marshal. He is happy to advise about dive sites and supply information, but expects divers to be aware of their own experience levels and to be able to decide whether a site is viable for them or not.

As Oban is the nearest mainland port, Paul will pick up divers from here in the morning, which enables dives in the Sound to be undertaken before reaching Tobermory, where air and a variety of accommodation types are both available.

In the winter of 2002/3 the Silver Swift was fitted with two, new Cummins 350hp turbo-diesel engines which have given her a cruising speed of around 20 knots, and with a top end of 28 knots she is a fast boat. An awning is being placed behind the cabin (which holds about six people) to provide more weather protection. The dive ladder has been recently moved from behind the boat to the skipper's side, and is accessed through a gate. I found that this ladder was fine, but some people on board would have liked the rungs positioned differently. Helpfully, a rope has been fitted in front of the ladder to enable the second diver to hold on as the first diver climbs aboard.

What we liked
The skipper's vast experience and high degree of competence. The boat has a traditional and comfortable feel, and a well thought out use of space and equipment.

What we didn't like
Somewhat noisy out on deck.

Boat: 37ft Cygnus Cyfish
Moored: Tobermory, Isle of Mull
Engines: twin 350hp Cummins turbo-diesels
Date of manufacture: 1989
Cruising speed: 20 knots
Head: yes, one manual (and a shower!)
Maximum passengers: 12, plus 2 crew
Optimum passengers: 10-12
Charter rate: From £300 per day
Contact: Paul and Jeanette Gallagher,
Website: http://www.silverswift.co.uk
Tel: 01688 302390