Wrecks
There are several well encrusted wrecks such as the famous wreck of the Ennerdale, an enormous British Fleet Auxiliary tanker of 62,000 tons, she measured 710ft in length, 98ft in breadth and 40ft in draught. She was powered by Babcock and Wilcox diesels and had a complement of 51 men. Formerly the MV Naess Scotsman, Ennerdale had the shortest career of the three (there were 2 other auxilary vessels). On 1st June 1970 she struck uncharted rocks. As salvage was not possible Ennerdale’s wreck was destroyed by explosives. These explosives – including anti submarine mortar bombs and torpedo warheads – were placed by Wessex helicopters as strong currents made it impossible for divers to lay the explosives. the wreck is now home to Giant Groupers, Giant Moray Eels, Scorpion Fish, Eagle Rays, Lion Fish, Schools with thousands of fusiliers, Jacks, Barracudas and a number of Sharks.
After having made history in the 1970’s in reclaiming the area on which now lays the International Airport runway the Dredger Wreck was purposely sunk off the coast of Danzilles in the north-west of Mahe in October 1989. She is almost covered in schooling Blue Striped Snappers, home to several species of Scorpion Fish including some fat Stone Fish and a number of Moray Eels.
Similarly the Twin Barges that carried out the reclaiming works with the Dredger were sunk on purpose just off Bel Ombre next to the Corsair Reef in February 1989 – the Barges are now host to some very interesting species of marine life and offers you the opportunity to dive on two wrecks in one dive!
The Aldebaran a 28m fishing-boat was confiscated for fishing illegally in Seychelles waters by the Seychelles Coast Guard. After legal procedures were finalized the owners abandoned the vessel. The vessel was acquired by the Seychelles Tourism Board – to commemorate the SUBIOS Festival of the Sea theme for that year “Wrecks as Ocean Habitats”, the vessel was sunk after careful consideration at an appropriate location. Elizabeth Fideria of Big Blue Divers had the pleasure of choosing a suitable place for the wreck, she chose a location with heavy sand bottom, some rocks and existing marine life in an area where currents are passing through to provide a healthy amount of nutrients. On July the 11th 2008 the Aldebaran was towed by a Seychelles Port Authority tugboat to her last resting place off the coast of Willie’s Bay in the north-west of Mahe. She lays upright in 40m depth and is teeming with marine life – Bat Fish are hovering over the Wreck, Moray Eels by the dozen, Lion Fish in every corner, schooling Jacks, Fusiliers and Sweetlips are found in and around the wreck and often one or more Stingrays are laying in the sand.
We look forward to diving with you soon!
