There is No Rain in Spain

Lynda and I have just returned from SE Spain after a long weekend's diving with Stuart Miles.  Stuarts “Kaycher Tech” enterprise is almost complete and we had the opportunity to road test a number of mid-range wrecks and the nearby marine park.  An early (6am) flight from Stansted saw us arriving early morning in Alicante and a short drive to Stuarts rented villa outside Torvieja.

After a rest day in which the rebreathers were unpacked and assembled we were ready to start diving.  The first and second days diving were out of Cala de Palos, a beautiful harbour, using the local dive centre facilities and boats.

We were joined on the rib (yuk) by two English guys living in Spain.  This wreck was the Carbonaro (not the real name – this is not known), named after the coal that lies around the wreck.  Close inspection of the wreck suggests coal wasnt the cargo.  This wreck was upright on a 48m seabed with a large torpedo hole twisting the midsection of the ship at nearly 90 degrees.  Dropping into the engine room was tight but rewarded with a swimming moray which eyeballed me before taking cover.  The rudder standing at 90 degrees showed the evasive action taken in the final moments.  Lynda was clicking away with her camera to get some great shots.  Conditions on the wreck were good if not a little chilly below the thermocline but on deco we were able to relax in the warm water for a total time of 70mins.

The second day's wreck dive was the Narajito (Spanish for orange), assumed to be the cargo as again the real name is now known.  A hardboat dive this time, joined by six Spanish divers on 15L cylinders (ponies are not used by Spanish divers).  Agreeing a 45minute dive time we explored this 38m upright wreck teaming with fish.  The in situ triple expansion engine was worth the dive alone and swimming through the sunlit wreck was very relaxing.  Watching the OC divers on the shotline from the foredeck of the wreck was a memorable sight.

Day 3 saw us diving from Torvieja from a large hard boat, skippered by a Geordie called Kevin.  Just the three of on board as we headed South down the coast to the dive site of the Mardinian.  This intack wreck sitting on a 60m seabed is a antastic sight.  Diving on air limited us to the top of this large wreck as well as the cool water making diving in a wetsuit a mite chilly..  Nevertheless, the large schools of fish and in tact superstructure made it a very atmospheric dive.   A total time of 46 mins was enough and reaching the boat we were glad of a hot drink.  

Monday was spent washing the kit and relaxing in the sun before heading back to Stansted.  Thanks to Stuart for a great three days diving.   click here for Keycher Tech website.

We have lodged some pictures in the Gallery

Jim and Lynda

August 2011