UKDIVING NORTHERNEXPOSURE
Monkfish on the seabed close to the Spring
The Spring ’ s propeller
trips are a great opportunity to meet other divers . There ’ s a strict no take policy in Norway , which means there ’ s still plenty to see on the wrecks .
So what ’ s the point of going to Norway when we have excellent wreck diving on our own back yard ? Really , it ’ s the buzz of being able to dive such immense wrecks in great viz . You can imagine how they were before they sank , as well as enjoying them
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A view over the Haakon from the narrow bow as a habitat for marine life .
Also , this trip is an underwater photographer ’ s dream . The lack of current means you can swim off the wrecks and take a few shots without worrying about getting lost on the way back . It ’ s not all daunting deep dives either : most of these wrecks are positioned in such a way that allows multi-level diving to suit a range of experience .
A view over the Haakon ’ s stern
The wrecks
The Spring : Our route was Bergen to Florø via the various wreck sites and our first dive was on the wreck of a 64m Norwegian collier built on Tyneside in 1883 , which sank in 1914 . The Spring sank off Ramsoy after a collision , the damage from which can be seen on the bow . A great checkout dive with the shot at the shallowest point being the bow at about 8m . The wreck is upright on a slope with the propeller and rudder in 45m , and a maximum depth of 50m .
Haakon ( Håkon ): A 44m steamer built in Glasgow in 1868 as the Livonia , then renamed the Haakon in 1906 ; it hit rocks and sank in January 1910 . There was plenty to see on this upright wreck , including her four-bladed prop , still in situ at a depth of 30m . The ship ’ s wheel is easy to locate and has broken away from the steering boss .
The 2-cylinder compound engine was also easily recognisable . The maximum depth on this dive was 46m , but as with all the wrecks there ’ s no need to go to the deepest part to enjoy the dive and see most of the main features .