Diving is a very popular activity and hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts believe it to be the ultimate experience, due to the simple beauty of the underwater display and the miraculous marine life one gets to observe. However, there is another kind of diving which is gaining more respect among experienced sea lovers. It involves taking great risks, having the taste for danger and the necessary diving skills. Wreck diving has become a real hit.
Wrecks have always been very attractive objects as they are artifacts of great historical relevance. Often, their story becomes yet another, even more striking aspect that invites and draws attention. Some were sunk during famous marine battles during wars, some did not last through powerful storms. Even though discovering and exploring shipwrecks is a very exciting activity, the dive itself should be taken very seriously, and carefully planned ahead. Before visiting the underwater sites, everyone should bear in mind that the wrecks are often the only thing standing up from a sea bed, therefore they offer shelter to many kinds of fish, such as eels, lobsters, crabs, etc.
Pure observation from the outside naturally does not present such great danger as the actual penetration of the wrecks. Divers are encouraged to take specialized courses which will provide them with important information concerning these risky visits. Frequently, the wrecks are very old and may simply break or fall apart, and sometimes the divers themselves cause accidents. Therefore, it is very important for the divers’ own sake to seek out the necessary advice.
Many sunken ships are to be found in British waters; however, visibility might be a problem here. On the other hand, because the sea isn’t clear enough, many surprises lie in wait for those brave enough to look for them!
Some of the most famous of the frequently visited wrecks are the Umbria, near Wingate Reef in Sudanese waters, The Zenobia in Larnaca Bay, Cyprus, Thistlegorm near Sharm-al-Sheikh, Egypt, or the USS Oriskany in Pensacola, Florida.