Ten club members headed off to Plymouth for a weekend’s diving using Abbys charters ‘Integrity’ dive boat.
The weather was superb all weekend, with a moderate breeze on Saturday, and flat calm on Sunday
On Saturday we dived the sterns of the James Egan Layne (JEL) and HMS Scylla, and on the Sunday we dived the bows of both wrecks. The ex-Royal Navy Frigate HMS Scylla was sunk purposefully in 2004 off Whitsand Bay, and provides an excellent example of how a shipwreck can provide a complex marine habitat over time. Five years ago if you asked me which was my favourite wreck, I would have said the James Egan Layne, but having returned to its neighbour HMS Scylla I am seriously considering it as my new favourite. Apart from the proliferation of life on the Scylla, we were astounded to see vast mussel beds on the decks and companionways – something I have not witnessed on any UK wreck before.
Colonies of Jewel anemones were present in all their glorious shades, and many fish species had made it their home.
On the wrecks we saw octopus and cuttlefish, congers, crabs, spiny lobsters, plenty of tompot blennies and vast shoals of bib. The wrasse were huge!
The JEL is most peoples favourite, with its towering iron ribs and jumble of spilled cargo. but the Scylla is definitely one to watch over the coming years!
We had 4 damp divers after the first dive due to suit leakage issues, but no other mishaps or kit failures. Big thanks to Keith for organising the trip
