wreck

Log This Dive

Pinnace 288

Pinnace 288. Scapa Flow. Say it out loud. It’s got a ring to it. We love this site. It’s not the big German battle cruisers, but it’s proper Scapa diving, and sometimes that's exactly what you want. She sits upright, pretty much intact at 33 metres, her bow pointing east, and the visibility here can be surprisingly good on a calm day – 10 metres isn't unheard of. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer volume of plumose anemones, especially around the stern. They just carpet everything in fluffy white, gently swaying. You can fin right along the deck, peeking into the small forward cabin, maybe spotting a grumpy ballan wrasse or a curious ling lurking in the shadows. The stern still has its propeller, and we’ve seen crabs tucked right up against it. This is a dive for taking your time, really appreciating the details of a smaller vessel, and picturing the chaos of that November day in 1917 when she broke free from HMS Valiant in heavy weather. A perfect second dive after one of the big boys, or just for soaking in the quiet history.