Best of Breda

The Breda is one of the best-known wrecks in the Oban area, but GAVIN ANDERSON had never logged a decent dive on her. That all changed last year…

There was a soft glow of light filtering down through the emerald green water. My descent had taken me in just behind the aft accommodation near the stern, the most complete and colourful part of the wreck due to the accumulations of plumose anemones. I knew I’d be landing close to hold number five,which I soon found and carefully dropped down into. Facing me was a wall of cement bags piled high on top of each other. Once they had been protected beneath the deck and kept dry for their destination in India. Now they were solidified and formed into a complete wall which reached right up to deck level.

Visibility was good, I could see a good ten metres - not bad considering the last time I’d dived the wreck, I’d barely had two metres. In fact, following a few perhaps unlucky dives in similar conditions, I simply hadn’t been inspired to visit the wreck again. That was until now! A call from a friend, Shane Wasik from Dive Oban (www.diveoban.com), alerted me to perfect conditions and a chance to do a couple of dives on her early last year. The last time I’d dived the wreck I’d been a single cylinder diver and slightly stressed and concerned about the conditions. Now, having progressed via a twin set to eventually a rebreather, I felt amazingly chilled. The visibility was great and there was a peaceful silence on the wreck.