shallow wreck dives
Tank Landing Craft
A WWII US landing craft found in about 10 metres in Bracklesham Bay. The vessel lies upside down and stands 4m clear of the seabed. This is a small wreck but there is plenty of life on it and good visibility generally. Small conger can be found occasionally and there are normally large numbers of pouting, whiting and wrasse to be seen. This dive site generally captures the imagination for no more than 20 minutes, but if you then drift off the wreck with the gentle current there is plenty to see as you go over the Bracklesham Lobster beds. This makes an excellent second dive as currents are gentle at most states of the tide due to the protection provided by Portland Bill.
Mulberry Harbour
The
Mulberry Harbours were used during the Normandy Landings in order to make
an artificial harbour. The large units were assembled on the South coast
before being transported across the channel. One or 2 of the units came
to a sticky end off the coast of Sussex and they now make an excellent and
very popular dive site. These are ideal for newly qualified divers or
advanced diver. Photographers like this site due to the excellent visibility
and prolific marine life.
France Aimee
This
small collier vessel is a great little wreck. There is plenty to see
and a huge mound of lobster pots which have become trapped on the wreckage
attract large shoals of fish. The wreck is broken into 2 main parts,
so make sure you venture away from the shot line to make sure you see it all.
This is a popular wreck with new divers as it normally has excellent
visibility. It is a good safe wreck with plenty of life and lots to
see. Average depth is around 16 metres.
Luis
A
WWII British Steamship, the Luis is one of the favourite dives in the area.
The main reason is that an eddy at the end of Sandown Bay results in very
reasonable currents, even off the ebb, so it is a great second dive.
Just off the wreck, there is the opportunity to find large numbers of fossils.
The Luis was carrying a cargo of shells when it went down and they can still
be found in large numbers along with grape shot "musket balls" which
litter the whole dive site.
Camswan
The
Camswan is an excellent wreck that sits 4 metres proud of the seabed in 18m
of water. This 105 metre long steam ship had a short life. Built
in 1917 it was sunk in the same year in a collision with the SS Polbrae.
The Camswan lies on a sand and gravel bottom and visibility is generally good.
Although very broken up the wreck ahs plenty to explore. Making your
way to the rear of the vessel, the large rudder gives you some idea of its
size. There is plenty of marine life on the wreck including conger,
pollack and wrasse and some big shoals of bib.
More to follow in due course ...........
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