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Dive Review of albert marvelli/mv invincible in
General Travel/Other Locations/scapa flow scotland

albert marvelli/mv invincible, Sep, 2008,

by al marvelli, ny, usa (Reviewer Reviewer 5 reports). Report 4568.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 3 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 1 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments five guys from new york went to scapa flow scotland on a two week trip here are some details.

scapa flow is home to about 2 dozen sunken german warships from the high seas fleet of ww1. scapa flow is the body of water where they lie. we based our adventure aboard the liveaboard diveboat m/v invincible based out of stromness harbor on the island of orkney.

you fly into edindburgh and drive up to the ferry at scrabster. its an 8 hr drive and a 2 hour ferry ride. then you are on orkney. there is long term parking after you load gear onto the boat. the boat has full facilities even a full bar with two taps. its a converted fishing trawler, 110 ft long. tanks weights and air are included, doubles stages nitrox and rebreather support is available for extra,they can do trimix for special charters but all diving in the flow is 45m or less so 30% nitrox is fine for everything. youll need some wrek diving skill all the dive are off shot lines and shoot a dsmb or a marker and drift for deco.

the way a dive day went you are asleep and they cast off at about 7, usually ring a bell about 25 min before they are at site, you gear up and live drop onto a buoy attached to wrek. first dive was always a big one a cruiser or battleship. vis was dark and low, they said there was reduced vis that week, pictures showed better vis. still awesome diving, better vis than the mud hole. we ran 45 min bottom times, and shot bags to drift deco. when you surface the boat was right there and they have a lift so no ladder climbing. you de kit and they serve a full scottish breakfast right there on deck eggs bacon,scones,beans,sausage,toast,ham,tomatoes, and oh some kind of meat. then they fill tanks while you steam to one of the blockships which are further away. the blockships all had spectacular vis but were tidal sites that have to be dived at mean slack so when the tide starts to run you dive is over better shoot a bag and drift, cause you are drifting anyways. get back on boat and youll be onshore by one and in the pub for lunch and a pint. tour something and then dinner in town and maybe some more pub stuff before lights out. you could get a full food package but we went for b-fast only.

in general in case you missed it this is advanced diving and you better be able to dive wrecks and deep ones by recreational standards. there were folks diving off the other boats using single tanks but most had pony bottles. drysuits were also the norm.

topside there is plenty to do on orkney, whiskey distillery tours,stones of stenness-like stonehenge but smaller,italian chapel and various museums to tour. ornkey was facinating. we toured scotland afterward saw some castles, more distilleries and lots of history. even if you only had one day based in edinburgh you could see a lot of stuff, make room after diving if you go.

the weather was well scotland even tho it was september it was cold and grey in the orkneys. event tho it was still very pleasant. the people are charming and the entire country was spotless.really no garbage anywhere amazing.

bottom line we had lots of fun, saw some huge wreks and drank some fine liquor. good times, aint that what its all about?i will be there again when i can.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving ne usa, pa, ny, nj, va , fl, ca, roatan, costarica, bonaire
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather windy, cloudy Seas choppy
Water Temp 45-55°F / 7-13°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 10-50 Ft/ 3-15 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions accepted nitrox diving standards(BSAC rules)
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals N/A Tropical Fish N/A
Small Critters N/A Large Fish N/A
Large Pelagics N/A

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments no specific camera provisions, crew willing to learn
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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