Description
Details:
Blue Ocean Diving is once again teaming up with Emily Turton, Ben Wade and their crew at MV Huskyan to offer you this unforgettable experience to dive the wrecks of Scapa Flow.
Steeped in history and consistently a Worldwide Top 10, diving the wrecks at Scapa Flow is a trip to on every technical diver’s bucket list.
This Blue Ocean Diving trip is always popular and the limited places sell out fast so ensure you book yours now!
Divers must be a minimum of Tec 45 qualified.
Not qualified yet?
There’s still time!
Call Blue Ocean Diving on 01622 212 022 or email scuba@blueoceandiving.co.uk to discuss!
Dates:
27th May – 3rd June 2023
Details:
Saturday 27th May 2023
- Leave Blue Ocean Diving
- Overnight stop at Inverness Travelodge
Sunday 28th May 2023
- Drive to Scrabster
- Catch 1pm Ferry to Orkney
Saturday 3rd June 2023
- Return to Blue Ocean Diving
About Scapa Flow:
When it comes to diving destinations, few are as fascinating and luckily for us, as accessible as the UK’s chief Naval base of both World Wars, Scapa Flow.
Many divers progress from recreational diving to technical diving with their ultimate goal being to visit the wrecks of Scapa Flow and it’s easy to understand why.
Scapa Flow is a body of water in the Orkney Islands spanning approximately 120 square miles. Sheltered by the Orkney mainland and its archipelago, its accessible location to both the North Sea and the Atlantic made it a convenient point of safe anchorage.
At the start of World War I, Scapa Flow’s defences were strengthened in order to base the main fleet of the British Navy. Known as the Grand Fleet, it was made up of a selection of ships from the First Fleet and Second Fleet.
On 5th June 1916, the HMS Hampshire struck a mine laid by a German U-Boat.
Only 12 of those on board survived that day, with 737 lives lost including that of British War Secretary, Lord Kitchener, the face of the ‘Your Country Needs You’ posters.
Lord Kitchener’s body was never recovered.
On September 30th 2002 the wreck of HMS Hampshire was designated a Controlled Site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 (Designation of Vessels and Controlled Sites), with no diving permitted on her since.
One year later, dreadnought Battleship HMS Vanguard suffered a series of explosions whilst at anchor. Of the 845 men on board, only two survived.
The wreck of the HMS Vanguard now lies just off the island of Flotta at approximately 34 metres deep becoming an officially recognised war grave in 1984.
At the end of World War I in 1919, Germany was forced to surrender most of its fleet under the Armistice agreement. 74 of its ships were brought to Scapa Flow and interned there until a decision was to be made on their future at the Treaty of Versailles.
The negotiation period lapsed and, with no word of a settlement having reached him, German Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter made the decision to scuttle the fleet. He was not aware that a last-minute extension had been made in order to finalise to the details.
Fearing the fleet might fall into British hands or be used against the Germans should peace talks fail, he gave orders for it to be scuttled.
On 21st June 1919 and 52 of the 74 ships were sunk. To date it remains the greatest loss of shipping in a single day.
Only seven of the German High Seas Fleet remain in their underwater resting place at Scapa Flow:
- SMS Cöln
- SMS König
- SMS Kronprinz Wilhelm
- SMS Markgraf
- SMS Brummer
- SMS Karlsruhe
- SMS Dresden
This is your chance to join Blue Ocean Diving and see the wrecks of Scapa Flow for yourself!
Accommodation:
Accommodation is based on a self-catered house share at the Divers Lodge.
The 6-bedroomed luxury property sleeping up to 16 people lies at the heart of Stromness, only 50 metres from the harbour.
Facilities include a fully equipped kitchen/diner with large oven, dishwasher, fridge, freezer and microwave.
There are five bathrooms and a washing machine and tumble dryer.
There is unlimited wireless internet access throughout the property.
There is also a designated diver equipment charging station!
Price and Booking Information:
Prices:
£1045 per person based on double occupancy.
A deposit of £350 per person must be paid at time of booking.
Full payment of outstanding balance of £695 must be paid by 27th February 2022.
Price Includes:
- Accommodation at Travel Lodge Inverness
- Ferry Return
- 6 Nights Accommodation (Self Catering Basis)
- 2 Dives Daily for 5 Days (Air Fills)
Extras:
- Food/Drinks
- Transport
- Nitrox/Tec Gas
- Kit Rental if Required
How to Book:
Book online now at the top of the page.
Alternatively, pop into the Dive Centre, call us on 01622 212022 or contact us via email at scuba@blueoceandiving.co.uk.
All online bookings are provisional and subject to availability.
Payment by card via HSBC Paylink.
We will contact you by telephone within 48 hours to confirm your booking and process your payment.
Additional Information:
We strongly recommend deposit payments are made via credit card. This is in order for you to benefit from the full consumer protection this method offers.
All balance payments will be taken by card via HSBC Paylink.
All payments are non-refundable & non-transferable.
On booking, please provide a copy of your passport to scuba@blueoceandiving.co.uk for flight ticketing details if required.
Holiday insurance is recommended from time of booking in case of cancellation.
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for all Dive Club Holidays.
