UKDIVING
Dom Robinson on deco at 6m
Bow of HMS Patia , decorated with plumose anemones to darkness . Diluents in our rebreathers would contain even more helium ( we were using the BSAC gas density table , which recommended 100m mixture of 10 / 70 , i . e . 10 % oxygen and 70 % helium ).
Our first target turned out to be a medium-sized steamship . Unlikely to have ever been dived before , the wreck was probably a First World War loss . Now , after more than 100 years on the seabed , it was collapsing . At 100m there ’ s not a great deal of time to rummage around a wreck but my buddy Dom Robinson [ BSAC ’ s Head of Diving and Training ] and I were equipped with scooters , allowing the entire
wreck to be explored in the short time available . It did not fit the specifications of what we were searching for , or give up any identifying features , so it remains an unknown shipwreck .
Where ’ s the bow ?
The next day saw us on a different wreck , another one that had not been previously dived . The site was dark but the visibility was good . You could see as far as torches would allow , and the strobes on the shot line were visible from virtually any point of the wreckage . We were able to spend just over 20 minutes exploring the wreck and exited the
Diver James Hadlow decompressing
Dom Robinson illuminating one of the LCT ’ s props
Closer view of one of the propellers
PHOTO : BARBARA MORTIMER
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Prop shaft and remains of its exit point on the wreck
Prop shaft exit on the preserved LCT 7074