Guys
Anyone in the know please can i have some tips and recommendations on Scapa. We are not planning to go for a while yet but want to get the groundwork done well in advance.
We are proberably 12, possibly more, travelling up from Kent. So a good charter boat, accom and travel tips would be very welcome. We will proberably be all diving on Nitrox, but may have a couple on air. No Trimix or CCR. We are experienced wreck divers.
You can do the travel two ways, the hard way is to start mid afternoon, drive through the night and arrive at Scrabster around 6am ready for the ferry at 9ish. Make sure you fuel up at Aberdeen. The easy way is to drive up and stop the night in Thurso, the Weigh inn is very reasonable with beds from 25 quid.
<a href="http://www.s-h-systems.co.uk/hotels/weighinn.html" >http://www.s-h-systems.co.uk/hotels/weighinn.html</a>
Generally all the boats supply air inclusive. Most boats have Nitrox but it is expensive. Only a couple boats do helium and it is damn expensive
Boats with Helium
John Thornton MV Karin
<a href="http://www.scapaflowtechnical.com/" >http://www.scapaflowtechnical.com/</a>
European Technical Dive Centre MV Crombie, MV Loyal Mediator
<a href="http://www.technicaldivers.com/" >http://www.technicaldivers.com/</a>
Questions:-
1. Boat recomendations?
If you are diving in the flow the boats are much of a muchness. Try and find a skipper you like. I have used Annette Rosenkilde 3 times. Skipper Neil McGibbon is very easy going which can be important if your club group isn't.
<a href="http://www.annette-rosenkilde.co.uk/" >http://www.annette-rosenkilde.co.uk/</a>
2. Accom Recomendations?
I slept on the boat berthed in Stromness once. It gets crowded by the end of the week. I have also used B&B which was comfortable but gets expensive. For 12 you could do half on the boat and half in B&B then swap midweek splitting costs evenly.
I have used the ETDC which is based out the Sands hotel and there are some chalets near by. I liked it but it is very quiet in the evenings. For your first trip you probably want to be in Stromness.
3. Are Bottles and lead generally available? Long way to haul ours.
Yes, single cylinders and lead. You need to check ahead if you want 12s for twinning.
4. Top Wrecks?
If it is your first trip then do the tour.
All 3 battleships are must do.
The cruisers are pretty good but I can't tell one from the other. The F2 is worth a look but only once. Try and get at least one of the block ships in, you need to check the tides. The drift down gutter sound is to be avoided. The Radiation looks like it should be in Stoney Cove. The James Barrie is OK but was over crowded. You will hear people rave about the Barrie cos the vis is good, IMHO it just aint that interesting.
HTH
Regards
Matt