UKDIVING
Divers lighting up the wreck
The final day saw us make the most of Scapa Flow , with two wonderful dives on the German High Seas fleet . Our chosen wrecks , the Dresden and Cöln . An excellent conclusion to a superb week .
Reflections
The primary aim of these expeditions is to fill in the blanks that the historians and relatives have . These trips put names to sonar targets , answer questions about sinkings and ultimately provide closure to families who never knew where their loved ones were lost . Artefacts seen and photographed on these trips are left undisturbed in-situ .
We have requested to the Government that both HMS Hoste and HMS Negro are put on the protected register of wrecks so they can still be dived , but artefacts cannot be touched or removed .
Many thanks must go to the skipper and crew of DSV Clasina and the team of Lost in Waters Deep without who this trip would not have been possible . Thanks also to O ’ Three , who provided Expedition Hoodies and T-shirts .
BSAC Third Party Liability cover is limited to 100 metres , so an application was submitted to the NDO which extended this to all our planned depths . After reviewing our risk assessment and method statement , approval was given so that we could dive secure in the knowledge that we were covered , should the worst happen . Our Expedition plan along with risk assessment is available on request through BSAC .
The team is already planning on new adventures , which are ultimately dives with a purpose . Details for next year ’ s targets are being agreed with the team at LiWD , along with other opportunities that this expedition has opened . As always , teams evolve and develop . Members drop out due to other commitments , so we are always welcoming new divers to the team . If anyone would be interested in joining us or developing their skills , we urge you to get in contact with us ; we are a friendly bunch . I would love to go and dive the undived section of HMS Hoste just because it hasn ’ t been dived ; and because it ’ s something we can do . �
Anchor half buried in the sand at the bow of HMS Hoste
View of the end of one of the Yarrow boilers
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