The Gobernador is unforgettable. She is one of
those surprise dives that you don't really expect in Scapa. This is
because of the exceptional
visibility and the profusion of life around her. The boat lies
in 16m of clean, well swept water. The bottom is sandy gravel with
no silt
which gives it a very light background. She lies uprightish and
is still quite a recognisable boat despite the fast current that runs
around her and keeps her clean.
However, it is important to dive
this wreck on the slack. With currents
of up to 12 knots it is so easy to get swept off despite the
shot line. Slack is around 30 - 45 mins and the current picks up within
minutes,
so good dive planning and an aware skipper is essential.
It is
possible to get into the holds of the GB, and what a sight! With
the clear limpid water, good light and prolific fish life,
being inside rather resembles a small church with a greeny
light pouring
in through stained glass windows. The fish are quite unperturbed
by divers - indeed they almost expect to be fed with the abundant
sea
urchins that abound around. Amidships there are boilers with
a below deck section that may be safely penetrated. The bows
are quite intact
and there is a 'little room' out of which the diver can see
a surreal pattern of kelp dancing outside maybe to the accompaniment
of bubbles
from divers underneath.
Divers can swim around the keel of the
boat on the NE side. The propellor is still there (1988). The whole
wreck is buzzing
with
life - fish
(wrasse especially), sea urchins, all manner of starfish
and the most plenteous carpeting of kelp. The wreck is a riot of
colour and life,
and has a somewhat bizarre Mediterranean feel about it.
Unforgettable
and unmisseable. |
Fish
at the Gobernador Bories