Inchcape 2

Located fairly near Martini Rock, Inchcape 2 is situated in approximately 22M of water at N25 20.347 E56 22.827 with access by boat only. This makes the wreck suitable for most divers, however some experience would be useful for novice divers as frequently the surface current can be strong and a swim to the mooring from the boat can be tiring. Conditions should be checked first.

After “Hurricane Gono” in June 2007, the boat moved and the wheelhouse disappeared. It now lists slightly to port with the deeper seaward side on starboard.

It is possible to swim through this wreck by entering through the aft engine room hatches and exiting via the stairs forward, however please do not attempt this unless you have been suitably trained in diving in overhead environments. Additionally the use of standard A-valve first stages is not recommended for penetration dives as they can be dislodged or damaged during penetration by unskilled divers and if no other alternate air source is available, this could lead to a fatality.

There is plenty to see on the outside however, a large shoal of resident snapper are always around, as well as some fusiliers which frequently dive into the forward hatches when the Jack or Trevally swoop on them looking for lunch. Descent onto the wreck is via a mooring line. Recently the visibility in the upper layer has been very poor and the wreck is generally not visible until around 10 meters depth. The line is attached to the starboard side approximately about 5 meters from the stern.

The length of the wreck is around 21 meters and 5 meters wide and depth 3 meters. It does not take long to swim around it, however take your time as there is plenty to see. Given the depth and that this is a square profile dive, the maximum time on air is going to be limited to around 36 minutes, so watch your time and your air supply.

If you dive on Nitrox you will enjoy a 70-minute dive with EAN36 or 60 minutes with EAN32.

This site has a lot to offer for the macro photographer and has attracted a host of smaller groups of fish besides the shoaling fish mentioned earlier.

Start your dive by dropping off the mooring line to the starboard side to the sand and maintain neutral buoyancy about a meter above and slowly circle around the wreck using a frog kick rather than a flutter in order not to disturb the sand. Check out the sandy area for rays and crocodile fish. On the port side there are a couple of old fishing pots about 3 meters from the wreck, always worth investigating.

After your lower circumnavigation ascend to the deck level and check out the sides of the wreck for nudibranchs, according to Karin of Divers Down, the maximum number of species recorded on one dive was 13, but I am afraid I have only seen a maximum of 6 different species on one dive.

At the stern and around other locations there are many small groups of fish of Anthias, Chromis and Damselfishes. Moray eels may be spotted too lurking in the tyres that hang around the side of the wreck or in crevices between what remains of the superstructure. Bring a torch and be amazed at the colours. There are many scorpionfish around too, although not as prolific as Martini Rock, but be careful if you have to touch the wreck for any reason.

On the starboard bow, there is some blue soft coral, occasionally you may see a seahorse hanging in there. Additionally there are a couple of resident Lionfish on the wreck too, again be careful as they have poisonous spines and fear nothing.

Check the deck area for small creatures and don’t be surprised if an inquisitive filefish swims up to you and looks you in the eye before swimming off.

Once you have reached 70 bar pressure you should be back at the mooring line ready to ascend, and remember your safety stop at 5 meters. Should you for some reason fail to find the mooring line, deploy your SMB (you do carry one don’t you!) and ascend using it, as there may be other boat traffic on the surface.

Gordon T. Smith

20th October 2012

All photos copyright Gordon T. Smith 2004-12

THE SHARKCAGE | UAE PAGE