A Memorable Week at AquaStars
Last week was one to remember for AquaStars as we were all rushing to make sure that the facilities were up to scratch for a Royal visit. His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, Duke of York was coming to visit us on Wednesday as part of a trip to Eyemouth to see the diversifications that the Harbour Trust is making to cater for the leisure industry as its traditional fishing industry continues to decline.

The day before the visit, we were suddenly aware of a bustle of activity around the harbour and discovered that one of the fishing boats had dragged up a WWII mine and brought it back to just outside the harbour to be dealt with. The bomb disposal people, supported by Royal Navy divers, appeared quickly to deal with the problem and AquaStars were pleased to provide on-shore facilities to support the divers.

The day of the visit proved bright and clear and His Highness spent about quarter of an hour in the shop discussing the development of leisure diving in the area. He was surprised to discover that 20,000 divers per year visit the area but we were unable to persuade him to join us for a dive, although he is a qualified diver.

AquaStars staff were proud to inform the Duke of the range of services offered by the centre, including PADI training courses, RIB hire, guided dives, retail sales, full workshop facilities, air to 300bar, nitrox to 40%, free parking, refreshments, showers and changing facilities, classroom and members lounge.

His busy schedule took him to the local golf club for luncheon, which we also attended, then a helicopter whisked him off to Holyrood Palace for the Royal Garden Party.

During his stay in Eyemouth, the Duke also visited the new pontoons installed for ease of access to leisure craft, the sailing museum and a local exporter of shellfish.

AquaStars are delighted to announce that we are about to receive a royal
visitation!
His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, Duke of York, will be visiting the centre on
30th June. He is visiting Eyemouth to see the diversifications that have been introduced
into a traditiionally fishing-based economy. The move towards leisure
pursuits, such as scuba diving, is an impotant one of those diversifications.