BATHSHEBA - Scottish West Coast

The Bathsheba is a brilliant dive if you’re into the drama of a recent wreck, and we really rate it for a solid day out from Oban. She’s a fishing vessel, went down in 1980, and the story goes her pumps clogged up. You can practically feel that scramble as you descend, the hull still very much intact, lying upright at 50 metres. Dropping onto her deck, you’ll find nets draped like forgotten ghosts, and the wheelhouse is still there, eerily open. We love poking around the stern, where the prop is a big, gnarly focal point, absolutely smothered in plumose anemones – they really pop against the dark steel. Look out for conger eels too; they’ve made homes in the deeper sections of the holds. Visibility can be a bit variable, but on a good day, the ambient light filtering down from 50m gives the whole scene a moody, contemplative feel. This one suits divers comfortable with depth, and we’d suggest a decent torch to really appreciate the details inside the wheelhouse. The dive boat usually drops you right on the bow, so you can work your way back.

Location
Scottish West Coast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
56.166550, -5.601083
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
50m

Wreck History - BATHSHEBA

Year Sunk
1980
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
flooding

The final moments of the fishing vessel Bathsheba were swift and dramatic. On December 22, 1980, while navigating the often-challenging waters of Scotland's West Coast, she began to take on water. Critically, her pumps became blocked and failed, leaving the crew with no way to combat the ingress. With the vessel foundering quickly beneath them, the crew had no choice but to abandon ship and take to their liferaft, from which they were safely rescued.

Today, the Bathsheba rests in the cold, clear depths at 50 meters. This depth places her firmly in the realm of technical diving, a challenging and rewarding dive for those with the necessary training and equipment. Lying on the seabed, the wreck is a haunting reminder of the sea's power. Divers can explore the intact form of this modern fishing vessel, imagining the frantic last moments before she slipped beneath the waves. The site offers a glimpse into a relatively recent piece of maritime history, preserved in the deep, quiet waters off the Scottish coast.

Marine Protected Area: Firth of Lorn

Nearby Dive Sites in Scottish West Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to BATHSHEBA

Marine Life in Scottish West Coast

Home to 127 recorded species including 50 reef fish, 15 whales & dolphins, 10 seagrass & algae, 9 sharks & rays, 8 other, 7 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species