The annual British Underwater Photography Championship 2011 was held on Saturday 9th July at Mount Batten, Plymouth.

A total of 53 underwater photographers registered on Friday evening at the Hotel Mount Batten to participate. Each had from midnight until 6.30 p.m. on Saturday to take underwater photographs in the Plymouth area in four categories - Marine Life, Mankind in the Sea, Abstract and Humorous.

A few competitors failed to submit images for judging due in no small way to the poor visibility experienced or a technical fault with their camera system, but the majorty between them subbmitted over 100 images for the judging.

In all but the Humorous category, the images were judged by a panel comprising Alex Mustard (one of the world's foremost underwater photographers and a member of the BSoUP Committee as well as Associate Editor of Wetpixel), Peter Rowlands (Editor of the FREE online magazine UwP) and Neil Hope (Picture Editor of the Western Morning News, Plymouth, and a regular contributer to diving publication).

Following a buffet, served in the Hotel Mount Batten, the competitors, judges and supporters moved to the nearby Mount Batten Centre for the slide show and presentation of awards and trophies.

To kick off the show the audience present were invited to judge the Humorous category and then all of the submitted images in the three Main Categories were projected anonymously by category. The winning shot was taken by Annette Millar. Annette won the AP Valve Trophy, a Buddy BC plus Mark Caney's book Dolphin Way.

After a 25 minute break Alex Mustard, as chair of the panel of judges, explained the methodology used to select the winning images.

The overall winner of this year's competition was Dan Bolt from Devon. His split-level image of a starfish taken in a rock pool at dawn was also the winner of the Marine Life category.

Dan won the grand prize of a 7-day live-aboard holiday for two in the Maldives (exclusive of flights and taxes) courtesy of Maldives Scuba Tours and the Sport Diver Trophy and an Olympus compact marine camera courtesy of Olympus UK, plus Mark Caney's book on Dolphin Way.

Marine Life - Runner-up

Jewel anemones

The runner-up in the Marine Life category was Tim Priest for his image of jewel anemones. Tim won copy of Paul Naylor’s book Great British Marine Animals (3rd Edition), purchased in support of the Marine Conservation Society.3rd Edition), in support of the Marine Conservation Society

Mankind in the Sea - Winner

The winner of the Mankind in the Sea category was Derek Haslam for his image of a diver in a wreck. Derek won the Inon Trophy and an Olympus TG-810 marine camera courtesy of Olympus UK.

Mankind in the Sea - Runner-up

Cathy Lewis was the runner-up in the Mankind in the Sea category. Cathy won copy of Paul Naylor’s book Great British Marine Animals (3rd Edition), purchased in support of the Marine Conservation Society.

Theme Abstract - Winner

The winner of the Abstract category was Rob Cuss for his image of a sea fan. Rob won an Olympus TG-810 marine camera courtesy of Olympus UK.

Theme - Abstract - Runner-up

The runner-up in the Abstract category was Jan Davies for his close-up image of the spines on an urchin. Jan won copy of Paul Naylor’s book Great British Marine Animals (3rd Edition), purchased in support of the Marine Conservation Society.

Humorous - Winner

Martin Rishton was the winner of the Compact Camera Mankind in the Sea category. Martin won a copy of the book ‘Underwater Photography for Compact Camera Users’ by Maria Munn, donated by Maria Munn.

Mark Brooke was the winner in the Compact Camera Abstract category. Mark won a copy of the book ‘Underwater Photography for Compact Camera Users’ by Maria Munn, donated by Maria Munn.

The Wildlife Trusts

Winner

The Wildlife Trusts chose Jan Davies' image as runner-up. Jan won a bag of goodies.