wreck

Log This Dive

KRISTINA LABAN

Diving the Kristina Laban is less about the grand scale and more about the quiet history beneath the waves. This old fishing vessel, sitting upright at 55 metres, feels more like an artificial reef now. The structure itself is intact, a solid silhouette against the deeper blue, but it’s the way the local marine life has completely taken over that we love. Schools of small pollack hover over the deckhouse, while ling and cod often peek out from shadowy corners in the hold. There’s a beautiful, almost eerie, silence down there. We’ve had some fantastic dives simply exploring the deck, imagining the fishing life it once supported. Look for the net drum and other rigging, heavily encrusted with anemones and sponges. Visibility can be hit or miss in the fjords, but when it’s good, the natural light filtering down creates a dramatic scene, highlighting the wreck’s contours. This isn’t a penetration dive, but rather a chance to observe how the cold Norwegian waters slowly reclaim human endeavours. It’s a site for divers who appreciate the subtle beauty of a colonised wreck and who are comfortable with deeper profiles.