Core Dive Controls

Hold the certification, drysuit experience and recent depth experience required by the vessel.
Plan gas for the actual wreck route, decompression, cold and a delayed ascent, not only the nominal maximum depth.
Carry a primary and backup light, DSMB and reel, two cutting tools and redundant breathing capacity appropriate to the dive.
Agree lost-buddy, lost-line, separation, bailout and surface-marking procedures before entry.
Avoid penetration unless the whole team has overhead training, suitable gas, continuous guideline skills and a route compatible with the wreck's stability.
Protect visibility with precise buoyancy and fin technique; silt can erase an easy exit.
Follow slack-water timing in Burra Sound and all skipper instructions around traffic, shot lines and pickup.

Core Dive Controls

Hold the certification, drysuit experience and recent depth experience required by the vessel.
Plan gas for the actual wreck route, decompression, cold and a delayed ascent, not only the nominal maximum depth.
Carry a primary and backup light, DSMB and reel, two cutting tools and redundant breathing capacity appropriate to the dive.
Agree lost-buddy, lost-line, separation, bailout and surface-marking procedures before entry.
Avoid penetration unless the whole team has overhead training, suitable gas, continuous guideline skills and a route compatible with the wreck's stability.
Protect visibility with precise buoyancy and fin technique; silt can erase an easy exit.
Follow slack-water timing in Burra Sound and all skipper instructions around traffic, shot lines and pickup.

The Orkney Hyperbaric Trust operates the Bobby Forbes Unit in Stromness and states that it provides NHS-funded hyperbaric cover 24/7 for recreational and commercial diving. NHS National Services Scotland lists Stromness as a Category 2 chamber alongside the Category 1 service at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. At sea, the local unit advises routing a suspected decompression illness through the skipper or supervisor and Coastguard so assessment, transport and chamber mobilization begin together. For symptoms that appear ashore after diving, the Orkney Hyperbaric Trust advises calling Balfour Hospital on +44 1856 888000 and asking for the doctor on the diving rota. The Scotland DCI helpline is 0345 408 6008.

Fleet-wreck routes can be cold, dark and deep enough to create mandatory stops. Use a configuration, gas supply and thermal plan that remain adequate after delays, current changes or a missed feature.

Torn plating, cables, nets and enclosed spaces can turn an appealing opening into a serious overhead. Enter only with matching training, team procedures, redundant lights and an appropriate line plan.

Blockships in Burra Sound sit in a strong tidal channel. Slack water is essential, and the skipper's timing overrides a diver's preferred schedule or site sequence.

Scapa Flow is sheltered, but Orkney remains exposed to Atlantic wind. Rough transits, site swaps, ferry disruption and cancelled days are real planning risks in every season and increase in winter.

Historic Wreckscape Rules

The Scapa Flow Historic Marine Protected Area has protected wartime wrecks and artifacts since 1 November 2025. The seven German fleet wrecks also have Scheduled Monument protection. Divers may look, photograph and appreciate them under the applicable harbour and vessel permissions, but must not touch, tamper with, move, recover or remove material. Do not tie into fragile structure, force an opening, feed wildlife or stage equipment on archaeological features. Report significant new damage or finds to the skipper rather than disturbing the site.

HMS Royal Oak and HMS Vanguard are protected controlled war-grave sites. Recreational diving is prohibited within their controlled areas, and the losses should be discussed and viewed with memorial respect. Follow additional exclusions around Flotta oil infrastructure, pipelines and any site closed by Marine Services. Good buoyancy protects both archaeology and the artificial-reef communities that now cover the wrecks.

Kontakt	Funktion	Telefon	Erreichbarkeit
UK Emergency Services and HM Coastguard	Life-threatening emergency ashore or at sea; ask for the Coastguard for marine incidents	999 or 112; VHF DSC or Channel 16 at sea	24/7
Scotland Decompression Illness Helpline	Urgent diving-medicine advice and coordination with Aberdeen Royal Infirmary	0345 408 6008	24/7
Orkney Hyperbaric Trust	Stromness recompression facility; emergency access should follow the Coastguard or diving-medicine pathway	+44 1856 850285 or +44 1856 851668	24/7 hyperbaric cover
Balfour Hospital	For diving symptoms presenting ashore, ask for the doctor on the diving rota	+44 1856 888000	24/7 hospital contact
Orkney Islands Council Marine Services	Harbour diving permission, VTS coordination and operating restrictions	+44 1856 873636; VHF Channel 11 for VTS reporting under the permit	Confirm current office and VTS operating arrangements

Scapa Flow (Orkney)

Scapa Flow (Orkney)

Sicherheit und Naturschutz

Wichtigste Risiken

Sicherheit beim Tauchen

Core Dive Controls

Sicherheit und Naturschutz

Wichtigste Risiken

Sicherheit beim Tauchen

Core Dive Controls

Sicherheit beim Schnorcheln und Freitauchen

Meeresleben und Schutzgebiete

Historic Wreckscape Rules

Notfallkontakte