Orkney Image Library

I enjoyed a few dive holidays on Snipes boat "Girl Mina". I remember that he was partial to a Trawler rum ( or several ). A great Guy and a bloody good skipper.
Mick Collinson, formerly of Doncaster B.S.A.C.

What a great picture. Like Mick, I've had a couple of memorable trips on the "Girl Mina", and he could certainly handle her with skill and precision.

Snipe died in March 2010, aged 71. He was an old school pal of mine, and a great character all his life.

After a heart-attack (I think) Snipe had a 'near-death' experience in which he professed to have looked through the Pearly Gates. Asked what it was like, he replied, "Weel, I didna see anybody I kent". One may wonder if he can see anybody now - and where . . .

Snipe came back to his car one day to find an off-duty police officer looking at it.
"Counting the rusty bits" inquired Snipe
"No, I'm counting the bald tyres" was the reply.
Snipe was,for once, speechless!
Yes, a great character, sadly missed.

Characters like Snipe are few and far between. Think of him and his great humour often...I suspect he never knew just how funny he was!

Possibly the only Orcadian ever to have capsized a Land Rover in the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanganyika (as it then was).

I am sad to hear of Snipe's death, I will always remember him as a great character and a sad lost to all divers.

I wonder if you all know that Snipe also wrote poetry. He brought a folder full of his poems to me for my opinion of them. There was talent there. We had a great yarn about lots of things.