wreck

Log This Dive

Wreck of Bourbon Dolphin

Forget the grand WWI dreadnoughts for a minute. The Bourbon Dolphin, a modern wreck from 2007, offers a completely different vibe in Scapa Flow, and honestly, we love it for that. She's a big, upright beast, a Norwegian offshore supply vessel that capsized and sank while towing an oil rig. Dropping onto her deck, you’re looking at a ship still very much intact, giving you a proper sense of her former working life. We often find ourselves exploring the accommodation blocks, lights still hanging, chairs still bolted down – it’s a bit eerie, like everyone just left. The wheelhouse is a favourite, still containing much of its instrumentation, a stark contrast to the century-old relics nearby. While she doesn't have the history of the German High Seas Fleet, the Bourbon Dolphin is a compelling dive for her sheer size and the feeling of recent abandonment. The marine life here is also starting to make its mark, with plenty of crabs scuttling over the steel and the occasional curious seal poking around. She’s definitely for experienced wreck divers comfortable with deeper penetrations and the chill of northern waters. We'd suggest going at slack water, as currents can pick up around her.