Weymouth Wreck Diving
25-28th June & 13-16th August 2012

Diving Shipwrecks with Skin Deeper

Accomodation

The Bunker (first Choice), Victoria Square, Portland ~ on the roundabout at the end of breakwater 
Directions and Map to The Bunker -

The Bunker is suitably positioned for diving from Weymouth or Portland. There are dive shops and a slipway for rib launching at nearby Castletown. The Portland harbour side of the causeway between Weymouth and The Bunker offers perfect facilities for wind and kite surfing.

There is a 10 minute coastal walk from The Bunker to the new Sailing Academy and it can be reached by car in 5 minutes. The cliffs at Portland are very popular for potholers and climbers. Bird watching and hiking are other interests for which The Bunker is superbly placed,  provide clean accommodation with central heating and good showers.

The Bunker was built in 1878 as a Masonic Lodge and after the new lodge was built opposite was used for various activities. Margaret and her late husband Andy converted the building into a hostel for people involved in activity sports who wanted soemwhere clean, comfortable and reasonably priced. There are seven bedrooms, four  with two sets of double bunks and three with one set of double bunks. Each room has its own shower and sink. Altogether there are twenty two beds. Most midweek trips each room can be used on a twin share basis

There is a large well equipped kitchen where breakfasts, packed lunches and three course evening meals with wine can be provided. Alternatively you can arrange to self cater.

The lounge/dining room has plenty of seating and has a television, video and music centre for genreal relaxtion.

There is room suitable for storing kit each night (Drysuits ideal) and repairing kit. Most dive kit we can leave on boat each day in a locked underfloor storage area. Outside there is parking for approx 6/8 cars and a tap for rinsing off gear. There is also a pay and display car park opposite. Meals are also provided in accordance with the tides. However, there is a great Fish restaurant a short walk away I have personally tried out on several occasions.

The area of the coast of Weymouth and Portland is a haven for shipwrecks locally we have scores to choose from. You can dive warships, submarines old sailing ships and well basically anything you want. Some wrecks are not too far offshore and we can normally dive whatever the weather as we have some sheltered locations. Here is a small selection to whet your appetite. If you wish to know more about what to dive other than the wrecks listed below please contact us and we will be only to glad to help.

UB 74
This submarine has had a lot of attention from the salvage men. The Conning tower has been removed and her stern has been reduced to nothing. For those with knowledge of U boats however she makes a fascinating rummage dive. She has really thrown up some surprises and if you fancy diving this one there is a tale or two to tell. Max depth 36M
 


Buccaneer
This well-known Portland tug was sunk in a variation of the now famous friendly fire!! She was towing a target, the firing vessel obviously got mixed up and much embarrassment ensued as the Navy sank one of it’s own. This was a true Dennis Norden style cock up but has given us another great dive. Lying on her side it’s easy too get around in one dive, she has started to fall apart over the last few years but there is much to see and for a tug she had some very high quality fittings. Max depth 45m.

Pomeranian
After being torpedoed this large ship sank so quickly that there was only one survivor out of a crew of 56 he was able to jump overboard and then hang on to the ships rigging which was sticking out of the water after she had settled on the bottom. The wreck although upright lies in a peculiar fashion, with the large and relatively intact bow at an angle to the rest. There are all sorts of stories about this wreck having standard diving equipment onboard. Who knows perhaps a diver will get lucky but there is an awful lot of ship and cargo to sort through. Max depth 36m.

Salsette
Imaginecoming across this for the first time. A P&O liner on it’s portside a wonderful dive. At 34M you arrive on the starboard rail looking across the steeply sloping decks she makes a fantastic sight. The hull is largely intact and there are some great swim throughs for the experienced diver, however it is very easy to forget just how deep this wreck is and the unwary can soon find themselves in deepwater looking up at what then becomes an intimidating site 6000 tons of steel leaning over you at a crazy angle. Max depth 48m.



Aeolian Sky
The Sky as she is known locally is a very large wreck and although the subject of much salvage work is still very recognisable. Lying on her port side the stern and rear accommodation area are relatively intact and stand some 12M. There is much evidence of her cargo within the wreck and strewn across the seabed. This is a great dive especially for those new to wreck diving but strong tides and variable visibility make local knowledge essential for a good dive. Max depth 30m.

Binnendijk
The Benny as she is known locally literally went down in a blaze of glory. After striking a mine she caught fire and was alight from stem to stern. The wreck is well broken after salvage operations but is still substantial and is often diveable when most other sites are blown out, due to her location in the relative lea of Portland and inside the shambles bank. Part of her cargo was tyres and copper wire, which are much in evidence and her remains make a good rummage dive, which can often be topped off with a nice lobster if so desired. Max depth 27m.

M2
The M2 is classified as a war grave due to the fact that she sank as the result of an accident in 1932 killing all the crew. This submarine was unique in that she carried a small aircraft in a hanger built on to the conning tower and it is thought that whilst practising emergency diving the hangar door was not properly closed, quickly flooding the ship and sending her to the bottom. She is an amazing dive virtually intact apart from the crane for aircraft recovery having been trawled off a few years ago and some clandestine salvage, which saw the removal of her propellers. Max depth 36m.



St Dunstan
In times of poor vis this wreck can be the rabbit out of the hat and save the day. For some reason the clarity of the water here often remains when everywhere else is poor and even though her description as a dredger drums up thoughts of boring most divers are pleasantly surprised. Although well broken there is much machinery to see and abundance of life gives the wreck a bright and airy feel, plus there are scallops around the wreck so something for everyone. Max depth 30m.


Sidon
This submarine originally sank in Portland harbour due to an explosion and subsequent fire, which killed some of the crew. She was salvaged and sunk in her present position as a Sonar target and makes an excellent dive. The Sidon is upright and although in tact there are many holes in her casing, which have attracted much fish life. One of my memories of this wreck was being on the conning tower and looking up to see the dive boat 25M above me a truly stunning sight for our waters. Max depth 36M

Martha
The Martha for some reason doesn’t get much attention, which I find surprising. A victim of the first war She is relatively intact with a lovely counter stern, not far out and just seems to be ignored. I really liked exploring her and wonder if everyone sees what I see. Come and dive her and let me know what you think. Max depth 47m.

Elena R
The ship sank on the outside of the Shambles bank after hitting a mine she still stands 6 metres high in places but the wreck is constantly being buried and uncovered by the ever shifting sands of the bank.This has also had the effect of sand blasting and parts of the wreck are highly polished. In good vis this is an excellent dive but you do need to dive at the right state of the tide or you will end up in sandy soup. Max depth 30m.


Frogner
A victim of the first war this wreck is a haven for large and I mean large Lobster. She is one of several wrecks worked by local divers over the years but much still remains I have never had any complaints about this wreck most divers love it andoften want to return so that says it all. Max depth 36M


Alex an Opstal
This ship was almost brand new when she also succumbed to the mines near the Shambles bank. She was a large passenger/cargo vessel and like the Benny is often a good bad weather dive. Her bow is intact and stands some 7 metres high as you travel along towards the stern she is more and more broken. As with several wrecks near to Portland she is only safely diveable at one particular state of the tide so again local knowledge is advisable. Max depth 30M



P555
An ex American submarine which was supplied to the British navy under the wartime lease lend scheme. At the end of the second war we must have had the best out of her as they didn't want her back in 1947 she was scuttled as a Sonar target. P555 remains in remarkable condition and sits proudly upright as if waiting for action. She is quite a sligth and well worth a look even if submarines are not your bag. Max depth 44m. 



Landrail
After a long and chequered Naval career that saw her involved in several accidents this ship was sunk but not intentionally during target practice. She had been filled with cork and was supposed to floateven after several direct hits and then towed back to Portland repaired and used again Landrail had other ideas and sank under tow. Today she makes a great dive probably one of the prettiest wrecks in the bay and still retaining much of her very large and to heavy to lift brass fittings. Max depth 34M



Iolanthe
Its's hard to believe but this wreck was only found in the early nineties, considering her size and location that’s quite surprising. The wreck is fairly well collapsed but there is plenty of it and her cargo of railway rolling stock is in evidence. She stands 7m in places and the bow is still intact. Max depth 46m.



Ethel
Discovered in the late eighties this wreck lies outside the Shambles bank she is well collapsed amidships but stands at the bow and stern. The wreck is often covered in mussels, which attracts much life and makes a scenic dive. The Ethel sankunder tow and apparently part of a bell was raised but I do have doubts about whether this really is the Ethel, perhaps some detective work is necessary.Max depth 38M