Midlothian Sub Aqua Club

Custom Search

 We were crossing the forth road bridge about 9.30 am, with eager anticipation of the joys that await us in Kirkwall and Scapa Flow. Mike our expedition organizer received a call informing him the ferry from Gills Bay may be off due to high winds and heavy seas. Mike, Gordon, Kev and I decided there’s no going back now, we’ve come too far. We never told stevie and gogs who were not far behind us piloted by Charlie, as they would just worry or maybe even turn back.

Next stop Inverness for a jolly Tescos lunch. Where we met up with chaz and co, did some last minute shopping for resolve and anti-acid tablets etc. then set off for John-o-Groats. We would meet up with Andy and Alan who had left about 11.30am with Richard. We thought they were cutting it a bit fine to catch the ferry, but due to the fact we didn’t know if we were getting the ferry we weren’t worried.

 As we traveled up the coast Mike became more and more anxious as the sea was rough "don’t worry about it man", was mentioned more than twice that day. As we approached Jonny boys Oats a night out in Wick was looking on the cards, as there was no ferry and high seas.

 It was 4.30 p.m. and very windy, the ferry wasn’t due to leave till 6.30, maybe it still on its way. On its way! It was diverted to Scrabster and was leaving in 30 mins. that’s ok its only 20 miles along the road we’ll make it! But what about the others they will never make it they’re miles behind. We all tried franticly to call them but no answers until Richard( aka RN from his days as F1 test driver), called asking where we were. It was then Gordon uttered the words Andy and Alan were dreading, get a move on Richard!! Or you’ll miss the ferry!!!

We boarded the ferry not holding much hope for the ex British rally champ and his crew. Passengers coming off the ferry told tales of woe, of how bad the crossing was, the worst this year the crew mentioned as we loaded our gear on the back of a lorry. Then against all odds, and it’s a fact that no other driver would have made it, RN sped up towards us like a jet landing on an aircraft carrier. So there we were all present and correct and on our way to Scapa.

The next morning after a great night out in Kirkwall we awoke to find the flow was still a bit lumpy, so the diving would be a bit restricted. But as it happened the F1 and the barge that sunk trying to salvage it, turned out to be an excellent dive with good vis and lots of life. The second dive was the V83  wasn’t quite so good as the vis was a bit stirred up. But as we returned to port the winds dropped and the sea calmed, it was looking good for tomorrow.

  As the sun reflected on the shimmering waters of the flow and we breathed the fresh early morning Orcadian air, our fuzzy heads still needed the help of the resolve to kick start us in to diving mode. Yes a good night was had by all. We headed out to the Kronprinz Wilmhelm a 25,000-ton battleship, which proved to be an absolute stunner of a first dive, the conditions could not have been better, in stark contrast to yesterdays diving.

And so to the last dive of the weekend. The Tabarka, a block ship in the Burra sound, which was eagerly looked forward to by all. Because of the strong tidal currents this dive has to be done at slack water. The vis can be as good as 20 m+ because the fast tide washes away any silt and brings clean water. However this current does have a drawback like taking the dive boat 10 meters past the wreck just before the last 6 divers jump in. This can bring some disappointment when you miss the wreck and slack water doesn’t come until 10 minutes after you get back on the boat. Sorry about that little moan. The divers who did get on the wreck raved of great vis and triple expansion engines, and abundant fish life. So a brilliant dive to end a wonderful weekend. After we dropped off  the boys who had to go home early, in Stromness to catch the ferry back to Scrabster. We had a leisurely cruise across Scapa flow which was now like a mirror, and finally back to our digs where sipped fine whiskeys from pewter hip flasks, and watched a magical sunset.