BATHSHEBA

Protected Area

Firth of Lorn

Why dive here

With 112+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - BATHSHEBA offers some of Scottish West Coast's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeBlue Whales, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 112+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive · max 50m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

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.

Typical BATHSHEBA Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Maximum depth 50m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

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BATHSHEBA Wreck History

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.