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With 'Project Neptune' firmly under way, training of the 'key user' members of BSAC HQ staff on the CSG Integra system has commenced.

Already, after just half a days training and familiarisation with the system, the 'key users' were eager to use the system and feeling totally confident with the whole concept. With the BSAC HQ boardroom converted to a classroom for the day, each 'key user' entered, queried and linked various records performing simple tasks that are still even currently unavailable to us with our current systems. Simple tasks like address finding and linking a record to an organisation were performed with incredible ease!

Feedback from the training was very positive;

"The training day was a great success and I am really excited to start using the new system to improve our service to the membership." - Jenny Smith-Hughes, Coaching Scheme and SDC Administrator;

"Yesterday's training was very interesting; the implementation of this system will unify the departments and allow us to work together more effectively." - Zoe MacLeod, Coaching Scheme and SDC Administrator;

This of course now whets the appetite of the staff, so the main question now is "When can we have it?" The current phasing structure allows us to implement Integra logically through each department. The relationship manager is the core system with the modules attached onto it. As each phase is implemented, these modules will be added as per phasing to the core relationship management.

Phase 1 is the relationship management system and membership module. This is scheduled to 'go live' in February. This will mean that our data facilities will be immediately improved, but we will still be almost 12 months away from complete change over with the other modules being implemented intermittently via a further seven phases.

Next on the agenda for phase 1 is reviewing our data for cleansing and standardising ready for data conversion. This is going to be the first major hurdle of implementing 'Project Neptune' and will involve collating all of the seperate databases that we currently have at BSAC HQ and consolidating them all into one table for converting.

Hopefully, we will be testing this and ready to transfer our first data information by this time next month.

Watch this column for more 'Project Neptune' news in BSAC Talk each month.

Chris Horan
BSAC Project Neptune Project Manager

Don't miss out on the opportunity of attending the 2005 Diving Officers' Conference to be held at the Institute of Education in London.

The annual event provides the perfect platform for the recognition of work done by branches and individuals during the year and there is still time to nominate who you would like to win one of the many prestigious BSAC awards.

For full details of the awards, please visit www.bsac.org/techserv/tecpuba6.htm.

In addition to the awards' ceremony, the Conference provides Instructors, Diving Officers and First Class Divers with the opportunity to listen to the latest in diving news and to catch up with old diving buddies.

Clare Peddie, National Diving Officer of the BSAC commented about the day "I have put together what I hope to be a stimulating programme and am looking forward to seeing everyone there on the day."

The 2005 event promises to be another superb day including exciting presentations from the BSAC National Diving Officer and the 2005 Heinke Trophy winners. Plus the latest on diving and depression from Dr Roger Beer alongside "Decompression Tables and the genius of John Scott Haldane" presented by Professor Philip James, Hyperbaric Medicine Expert. Full details of the day's activities are available from our website at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/services/doc2005prog.htm.

There will also be the opportunity to pose questions to the National Diving Committee towards the end of the day. Tickets are priced at just £28 and lunch at £6.50, call 0151 350 6221 now to reserve your space.

For more information about reserving your space, please call Odette Baker on 0151 350 6221 or by email at odetteb@bsac.com or simply complete the online application form at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/services/doc2005tickets.htm.

BSAC HQ has introduced another exciting new campaign to help your Branch appear in the local press and to attract more Members to your Branch. "Branches in the Press" will offer your Branch its own regional Press Office! Press releases on subjects relevant to you and contacts in your local area will be provided by PR experts - Image Wizard.

How do we get involved?

Getting involved is easy - tell us about your Branch and the story you would like to get in the press - have you seen things in the sea you had never imagined? Has diving changed your life? Have you been out on some amazing Branch diving trips? Whatever your story, jot down the points along with your contact details, send it to odetteb@bsac.com and we'll do the rest!

Image Wizard will write the release, contact you to discuss it and then send it to the local media desks in your area.

Tell us your story…

To get your Branch in the Press, get writing - fill in the attached form today and your Branch could be in print!

And there's more!

If you have any news that you would like to appear on the BSAC website, simply send it to news@bsac.com and we'll make sure your story appears. We're looking forward to hearing from you!

The 'Branches in Touch' initiative is now well underway and Marcus Allen, the BSAC Chairman, will shortly be sending out a 'Branches in Touch' survey to gather your opinions on what your Branch needs are to help us deliver what you want. Watch this space and we'll keep you informed!

This is to let you and your club know about the Our World Underwater Scholarship in Europe for 2006. One person is chosen in Europe and one in Northern America to spend a year gaining experience in careers related to the Underwater World. It gives the scholar the chance to get involved with people who are top in their field and provides the funding and equipment to do it.

Previous scholars from Europe have gone on to work for BBC Natural History Unit, PADI HQ, British Antarctic Survey and Pinewood Studios (Underwater Unit). The experiences during the year are organised by the scholar and in the past have included ice and cave diving, cruises to the hydrothermal vents, underwater archaeological excavations, journalism and film work.

To be considered for next year's scholarship you have to be:

• By the end of April next year older than 21 but younger than 25
• At least CMAS *** Dive qualification or equivalent
• Have high academic standing
• Good spoken and written English
• Have not completed a graduate degree or chosen a defined career path

The closing date for the 2006 scholarship is 31st December 2005.

Please download the application form and get further information from the Our World Underwater Scholarship Website at http://www.owuscholarship.org

British Sea Life - DVD

The wonders of our underwater coast surrounding the British Isles go relatively unexplored, except by a small number of sport divers and keen enthusiasts. Below the waves lives a vast array of creatures, thriving in the diverse habitats from lush green kelp forest to the crashing turbulent waters around our cliffs.

This documentary records over 170 species, observing their peculiarities and feeding habits. Opening a window for all to see into the world of British Sea Life.

Special Features:

• DVD IDENTIFICATION DIRECTORY - move quickly to any species of your choice
• LIMITED EDITION - 16 page full colour identification supplement
• 3 HOURS OF FOOTAGE - covering over 170 species

Anita Sherwood has been a keen diver for over 5 years and has followed her passion for marine life around the world. The production of this film has taken her to hundreds of locations all around the British coast from the southern sea cliffs to the Scottish lochs.

Feature running time 176 mins approx.

Price: £14.95 inc. VAT

To order your copy now, please go to www.bsac.org/shop/cdrom.htm or call the shop on 0151 350 6222/224/225

Scapa Flow: From Graveyard to Resurrection - Simon Mills

The original account of the greatest scuttling in naval history by the commander of the interned Imperial German Fleet, Vice Admiral Ludwig von Reuter, written originally in 1921 and freshly translated in its entirety.

The introductory narrative sets the scene and gives a simple biography of von Reuter and the odious position in which he found himself at the end of the 1st world war. With no direct contact from his superiors in Berlin, isolated in a British outpost and relying only on hearsay and the biased British newspapers, which by the time he received them were four days old, von Reuter made a courageous decision unique in the history of naval conflict.

The editor, Simon Mills, is already an established author in the field of maritime history, and has enjoyed the close co-operation of the von Reuter family in the preparation of this book. Mills is a maritime historian and qualified diver.

To order your copy now, please go to www.bsac.org/shop/bookshop.html or call the shop on 0151 350 6222/224/225.

DIVE - The Ultimate Guide

Scuba diving is one of the fastest growing leisure sports with over 20 million divers worldwide and around 500,000 new diver registrations last year. And DIVE the ultimate guide to 60 of the world's top dive locations really is the best selling guide with a difference that gives you all the information you need to choose the right destination.

• the best dives and marine life at each destination
• over 300 stunning photos and high quality maps
• packed full of practical travel information
• data tables to identify key facts quickly and easily
• water temperature, visibility
• local dive centres and dive governing bodies
• conservation and local safety information
• geography, local culture and visa requirements
• useful telephone numbers and websites
• and how to get there
• totally up-to-date one-stop reference guide

Whether travelling independently or with your preferred dive tour operator or simply interested in reading about the world's best dive locations, DIVE offers you everything you'd expect of a top quality guide, but with added extras that make it cutting edge. To order your copy now, please go to www.bsactravelclub.co.uk or call the shop on 0151 350 6222/224/225.

AVAILABLE NOW!

A comprehensive manual covering every aspect of seamanship a diver coxswain is ever likely to require. It covers boat terminology, knots, charts, weather, boat handling, engine basics, VHF operations and much more. There is also a detailed section about procedures to take in an emergency right up to and including being picked up by a SAR helicopter.

Illustrated with many detailed diagrams and colour photographs this book is a must for anyone who owns or drives a diving RIB. Retail Price : £20.00 Members Price : £17.00

To purchase your copy now, please go to http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/shop/manuals.htm

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