wreck

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HMS OCEANA

The HMS *Oceana* isn't the biggest wreck in Scapa, but we find her absolutely charming. She’s an old tug, built in 1889, only 42.7m long, and she sits upright in just 12m. This is one of our favourite dives for a relaxed afternoon. You can feel the history as you fin over her deck, the metal plates thick with rust, draped in dead man's fingers. What we love most here is the accessibility. You can spend a good hour just circumnavigating her, poking into the holds, and even finning through the superstructure if you’re careful. Look for the triple-expansion engine, it's remarkably intact and a real treat to see. Crabs scuttle in the shadows, and we often spot blennies peeking from crevices. She's a perfect dive for newer wreck enthusiasts, or when the weather's a bit frisky and you want something sheltered. The shallow depth means plenty of light, even on an overcast day, and you get a long bottom time to really soak it all in. We’d suggest going at slack tide for the easiest exploration.