BRIARBANK - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Briarbank is one of Scapa Flow’s quieter wrecks, and honestly, we appreciate that. At 48 metres, it’s a solid tech dive, but for those with the training, it offers a real sense of exploration away from the more crowded German High Seas Fleet giants. Sunk in 1969, this fishing vessel lies upright and largely intact, a proper time capsule. What we love about Briarbank is the way she’s been colonised. Look closely and you’ll find the brass fittings and portholes are still there, albeit heavily encrusted. The wheelhouse is a jumble, but you can still make out the outline of the gear. We’ve spotted conger eels tucked into the deeper sections of the hull, and often, the deck is draped in plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying in the subtle current. It’s not a big wreck, just 22 metres long, which means you can really take your time and pick through the details. Visibility here can vary, but on a good day, the natural light filters down beautifully, giving the whole scene a moody, ethereal glow. Dive it mid-week if you can; you might have it all to yourself.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.520430, -4.655233
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
48m

Wreck History - BRIARBANK

Year Sunk
1969
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
unknown
Tonnage
77 GRT

The Briarbank was a 22-meter motor trawler that worked the cold, productive waters off the northern coast of Scotland. On November 15, 1969, while near the entrance to the remote and beautiful Loch Eriboll in Sutherland, the vessel suddenly sprang a serious leak. The crew fought to save their boat, but the flooding was too severe to control, and they were forced to abandon ship. Fortunately, all four crew members were rescued before the Briarbank slipped beneath the waves.

For experienced technical or deep-certified divers, the Briarbank presents a thrilling challenge. She sits at a depth of 48 meters in the still, clear, and cold waters of the loch. This environment has preserved the wreck in exceptional condition. The trawler is upright and fully intact, appearing as if she could set sail at any moment. Divers descending through the dark water are greeted by the ghostly silhouette of her mast and wheelhouse. The wreck is often draped in its own trawl nets, which now provide a lattice for marine growth and a home for various deep-water species.

Marine Protected Area: Eilean Hoan

Best Time to Dive in Scapa Flow, Orkney

The warmest water temperatures in Scapa Flow, Orkney occur in January, averaging 8.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 8.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 8.4°C (air: 5.5°C)
  • February: 8.4°C (air: 5.3°C)
  • March: 8.4°C (air: 5.9°C)
  • April: 8.4°C (air: 6.8°C)
  • May: 8.4°C (air: 9.7°C)
  • June: 8.4°C (air: 12.4°C)
  • July: 8.4°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • August: 8.4°C (air: 13.7°C)
  • September: 8.4°C (air: 12.7°C)
  • October: 8.4°C (air: 10.2°C)
  • November: 8.4°C (air: 8.0°C)
  • December: 8.4°C (air: 5.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Scapa Flow, Orkney

Nearest Dive Centres to BRIARBANK

Marine Life in Scapa Flow, Orkney

Home to 155 recorded species including 63 reef fish, 17 whales & dolphins, 12 sharks & rays, 11 crabs & lobsters, 11 other, 10 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for BRIARBANK

Based on average water temperature of 8.4°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 8°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories