wreck

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Wreck of Rival

The Rival is pure east coast diving, often a little challenging, but always rewarding. We love the feeling of descent into that cool, green Scottish water, knowing a piece of history is waiting below. This isn't a brightly coloured coral reef, it’s a living museum. You’ll find the wreck broken, lying on its starboard side, but still very much a ship. We've spent many a dive finning past the big boiler, still impressive, and poking around the stern, where you can often spot conger eels tucked into the darker recesses. It's a site that really comes alive with a good torch. The light picks out details in the structure and reveals the true colours of the encrusting anemones and sponges. While visibility can be variable, those days when it opens up are magical, with schools of coalfish darting through the superstructure. For us, it’s about the atmosphere and the challenge. This site definitely suits experienced divers comfortable with colder water and current, ready to explore a proper piece of maritime history. If you fancy a bit of a treasure hunt, keep an eye out for the brass portholes – they still surface occasionally.