Peterhead Sub-Aqua Club was formed in 1978 by a group of local enthusiasts and was initially a branch of the Scottish Sub-Aqua Club (SS-AC). Diving in the early 80's was mainly done from the shore, wearing wetsuits, single 7ltr alloy cylinders and 'Horse-collar' style ABLJ's. During the 80's, the club obtained its own compressor and an inflatable with an unreliable 40hp outboard - to be known henceforth as 'The Puffer'. Now the divers wore a motley selection of drysuits and semi-drys', used Stab Jackets or ABLJ's and diving generally took place by boat from Pennan or on trips over to the West Coast.

By 1992 the club had replaced the Puffer engine with something more reliable, joined the British Sub-Aqua Club (BS-AC) and become known as 'Buchan Divers'. The 90's have seen great changes in both diving and equipment used - wetsuits are never seen (except on trips to warmer climes), steel 12 and 15 ltr cylinders are the norm and many members use 'Wings' style BC's. Dive computers are now worn and the use of Nitrox as an alternative to air has increased. Branch diving now includes regular trips to the Red Sea, Scapa Flow, Skye and Mull.

The Club has it's own electric powered air compressors and facilities for blending Nitrox. In 1998, with funding from the Foundation for Sports and Art, took delivery of a brand-new 5.65mtr RIB with a 140HP outboard.

Local diving is by RIB or Hardboat on the east coast when weather permits - on many of the wrecks which have ran aground to the south of Peterhead - or by RIB from Rosehearty Harbour, in the clearer Moray Firth on both wrecks and scenic dives.

Recent years have seen an increase in more advanced diving techniques - deep air and trimix - with their philosophy of dual redundancy of equipment. In September 1999 club members found the wrecks of the Muriel, St Magnus and Bel Lily which at over 50mts in a strongly tidal area are really at the limits of what used to be considered the 'sports-diving range'. However use of advanced diving techniques, equipment and breathing mixes have safely brought wrecks at these depths within the reach of branch divers.

In 2001 the club finally severed its links with the BSAC and became an independant group which now takes only trained divers as new members - we welcome those qualified by the following diving organisations: BSAC; SSAC; SAA; PADI; TDI & IANTD.  If you want to get trained locally, we reccommend you contact our local diveshop Aberdeen Watersports on 01224 581313.