wreck

Log This Dive

LOYAL FRIEND

Forget grand, deep wrecks for a moment. The *Loyal Friend* offers something different, a shallow, accessible wreck dive that we think is often overlooked in Scapa Flow. This old fishing vessel, now just a scatter of ribs and plates across the rocks at 7 metres, feels less like a ship and more like a carefully arranged underwater sculpture garden. What we love here is the sheer amount of life clinging to every piece of metal. Crabs scuttle in the shadows, their shells bright against the dark steel. Anemones, like miniature fireworks, erupt from the barnacle-encrusted hull sections. It’s an intimate dive, perfect for photographers or anyone who enjoys poking around without the pressure of depth or strong currents. Our favourite trick is to drift slowly over the main debris field, letting your eyes adjust, and then spotting the subtle shapes of the engine parts or the rudder. It’s not about penetration; it’s about observation, a chance to really slow down and appreciate how nature reclaims things. Look closely, and you’ll find nudibranchs inching their way across the rust, vibrant little jewels in a world of muted tones.