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HMS ST OLAVES

The HMS St Olaves in Scapa Flow isn't just any old tug; she’s a wonderfully accessible piece of history. Lying upright at a comfortable 14 metres, she makes for a fantastic second dive or a real treat for those new to wreck diving. We love slipping down the shotline and seeing her come into view, her silhouette softened by decades on the seabed. Her triple-expansion engine is still very much intact, a monumental piece of machinery that dominates the stern section. You can peer into the cylinders, imagining the steam pushing pistons, a real tangible link to her working life. The two massive boilers forward of the engine room are also impressive, often shrouded in a shimmering curtain of small pollock. Look closely, and you’ll spot wrasse darting in and out of the plating and the occasional inquisitive conger eel peeking from a darkened recess. We’d suggest exploring the bow first, then making your way aft along the deck, taking time to really absorb the scale of the engine. There’s a quiet beauty to her, a sense of sturdy resilience even in her broken state. This is a genuinely engaging dive for anyone who appreciates the character of a working vessel.