diversinc
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Almost one year in the planning and over in the blink of an eye. Well that's my assessment of Scapa anyhow. Finished for the moment but maybe not entirely the end.
Obviously, I can only speak for myself; but I consider it to have been an exceptional experience despite some minor obstacles which arguably impacted on the trip as a whole. I won't labour these too much, and feel it suffice to comment on the living conditions aboard the Sharon Rose. I wouldn't consider that vessel in any category habitable or fit to be used as a live-aboard, as I'm sure the rest of you would agree. It was just filthy and lacking in basic facilities. However, resourceful as we are, alternative accommodation was sought and secured, (and not without some invaluable assistance from Gavin). Fortunately the rates were extremely reasonable, so if you're ever in Stromness and looking for accommodation checkout the Orca Hotel.
Nevertheless, the crew were welcoming, and Kevin the skipper never let us down at finding the dive sites. I think that's worth highlighting as I'm aware a snorkel club from Greater Glasgow had difficulty finding a wreck on not less than two attempts. (Meow!)
Thankfully, despite Joe W's ear injury; we all came back safe and well. I think this is worth reflecting on, since we're probably all aware that a diver from another group suffered an embolism at the same time we were in Scapa, and tragically a 52 year old school teacher lost her life there last Monday (25.10.08). I'm sure all our condolences are with her family. Diving is a great and exhilarating sport, but it does frequently highlight just how fragile a species we are.
In total 10 dives were made: Two of the SMS Bummer; 2 of the SMS Karlsruhe II; SMS Dresden II; SMS Colin; SMS Sidletz, SMS Kronprinz Wilhelm; F2 and YC21 Barge; and the Tabarka block ship in Burra Sound.
There isn't much point in me describing these or presenting their histories as these vessels are well documented on many excellent and informative sites which I've no doubt you'll access if you require.
Scapa itself is beautiful. It's the second largest natural harbour in the world after Sydney. When you consider its sheer size, you can easily form an impression of the German High Seas Fleet contained there, whilst surrounded by vessels from both the British and American Navy. It must surely have been a memorable and magnificent sight.
Stromness is a very typical maritime town, proud of its heritage. Having been in Orkney for the first time, I had to remind myself that this was indeed part of the UK. Narrow flagstone streets free of graffiti, heavy traffic and chewing gum. What a truly refreshing place it is. Yet the magnitude of its strategic significance during both world wars is not something I fully appreciated and a trip to the Naval Museum in Lyness comprehensively underlined that fact.
So that's it really. Would I recommend Scapa? You betcha! Would I go again? Try and stop me, (although if I'm honest, this will require some delicate negotiation with my wife first).
All that remains for me to say is that I had a fantastic time and a lot of great laughs, often provided by Ricky's shot-line explorations; Vic's great wit and wicked humour; Camay's masquerading as an East European crime lord; Jim Mac's attempts to submerge whilst taking the Sharon Rose with him; Jim Gribben's rendition of 'Diving Without Wings'; Gavin's pleas of 'throw me a rope!'; Brian's navigating, (I'll deny everything); Momo's denials of torture and refutes of ever having peeled an eyeball; Roger the Cabin Boy and lots more which I better not mention if I wish to keep some friends at least!
So all the best guys and despite the minor setbacks let's be thankful we weren?' the Allander Snorkelling Association!
Oh that reminds me: Paragraph Eleven, Confirm? That was the coded command used to order the scuttling of the fleet.
Checkout the video:
DiversInc - Videos
Obviously, I can only speak for myself; but I consider it to have been an exceptional experience despite some minor obstacles which arguably impacted on the trip as a whole. I won't labour these too much, and feel it suffice to comment on the living conditions aboard the Sharon Rose. I wouldn't consider that vessel in any category habitable or fit to be used as a live-aboard, as I'm sure the rest of you would agree. It was just filthy and lacking in basic facilities. However, resourceful as we are, alternative accommodation was sought and secured, (and not without some invaluable assistance from Gavin). Fortunately the rates were extremely reasonable, so if you're ever in Stromness and looking for accommodation checkout the Orca Hotel.
Nevertheless, the crew were welcoming, and Kevin the skipper never let us down at finding the dive sites. I think that's worth highlighting as I'm aware a snorkel club from Greater Glasgow had difficulty finding a wreck on not less than two attempts. (Meow!)
Thankfully, despite Joe W's ear injury; we all came back safe and well. I think this is worth reflecting on, since we're probably all aware that a diver from another group suffered an embolism at the same time we were in Scapa, and tragically a 52 year old school teacher lost her life there last Monday (25.10.08). I'm sure all our condolences are with her family. Diving is a great and exhilarating sport, but it does frequently highlight just how fragile a species we are.
In total 10 dives were made: Two of the SMS Bummer; 2 of the SMS Karlsruhe II; SMS Dresden II; SMS Colin; SMS Sidletz, SMS Kronprinz Wilhelm; F2 and YC21 Barge; and the Tabarka block ship in Burra Sound.
There isn't much point in me describing these or presenting their histories as these vessels are well documented on many excellent and informative sites which I've no doubt you'll access if you require.
Scapa itself is beautiful. It's the second largest natural harbour in the world after Sydney. When you consider its sheer size, you can easily form an impression of the German High Seas Fleet contained there, whilst surrounded by vessels from both the British and American Navy. It must surely have been a memorable and magnificent sight.
Stromness is a very typical maritime town, proud of its heritage. Having been in Orkney for the first time, I had to remind myself that this was indeed part of the UK. Narrow flagstone streets free of graffiti, heavy traffic and chewing gum. What a truly refreshing place it is. Yet the magnitude of its strategic significance during both world wars is not something I fully appreciated and a trip to the Naval Museum in Lyness comprehensively underlined that fact.
So that's it really. Would I recommend Scapa? You betcha! Would I go again? Try and stop me, (although if I'm honest, this will require some delicate negotiation with my wife first).
All that remains for me to say is that I had a fantastic time and a lot of great laughs, often provided by Ricky's shot-line explorations; Vic's great wit and wicked humour; Camay's masquerading as an East European crime lord; Jim Mac's attempts to submerge whilst taking the Sharon Rose with him; Jim Gribben's rendition of 'Diving Without Wings'; Gavin's pleas of 'throw me a rope!'; Brian's navigating, (I'll deny everything); Momo's denials of torture and refutes of ever having peeled an eyeball; Roger the Cabin Boy and lots more which I better not mention if I wish to keep some friends at least!
So all the best guys and despite the minor setbacks let's be thankful we weren?' the Allander Snorkelling Association!
Oh that reminds me: Paragraph Eleven, Confirm? That was the coded command used to order the scuttling of the fleet.
Checkout the video:
DiversInc - Videos
))) - on the evening ferry, couple of dives in Scapa, then accross to Shetland!! 
