Tech 1 diving in Malin Head
Dates: 7th-14th August, 2010
Cost estimate: £700 full board.
Extras: Helium and oxygen. Equipment rental.
Some of the best diving I’ve ever done has been off the west coast of Scotland, and off Northern Ireland. You have clear, North Atlantic, water flooding through an area of water known as the North Channel. This water is rich in both wrecks and marine life and makes a superb location for a week of tech 1 level diving.
The North Channel was the preferred route into Liverpool docks during the wars for the North Atlantic convoys, but there is of course a downside to this. The channel is only 20 miles wide, and this feature made it an ideal location for German U-boats to lie in wait and attack.
As an example, the SS Laurentic was sunk in 1917, after hitting mines. The Laurentic was owned by the famous White Star line, and was being used to carry the Canadian Expeditionary Force into Europe for the war effort. The ship was also carrying £250 million in gold bullion, most of which was recovered by the Royal Navy. However 1% of the ingots remain unrecovered – maybe you’ll be the lucky one. In 42m depth, this is a great dive.
For wildlife fans, there is Rathlin Island. On the north side of Rathlin is a wall, dropping to over 200m. This is covered in life, and in August it will likely be at its peak! There are also wrecks all around the Island, so there’s something for everyone.
We will be staying on board Loyal Watcher, a liveaboard that has been working in this area for several years now, and Darren and Linda know the wrecks and waters very well. The boat is perfectly set up for technical diving, with big benches, lots of space, charging facilities, simple gas filling – in fact everything the diver needs for a stress free trip.
The plan is to start at Rathlin, diving the walls and wrecks there, and gradually move west over the week visiting the wrecks, reefs and walls as we go. A neat little tour of the area, stopping in the villages and ports of this beautiful area of the world in the evening as well.
Interested? Get in contact as spaces are going fast!
