SCUBA diving on the wreck of HMS Scylla - Plymouth, UK

TL;DR

HMS Sila, a decommissioned frigate transformed into a diving reef, offers divers the opportunity to explore its intact interiors and observe a diverse marine ecosystem.

Transcript

HMS Sila was built in devonport dockyards in 1968 as a Leander class frigate after a life of 25 years in active service she became in 2004 a new diving Reef owned by the national marine aquarium in Plymouth her Newfound life assists the local economy and supports important Marine research the Silla was made d dri safe by the Royal Navy before decom... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍🔬 HMS Sila, formerly a naval frigate, now serves as a diving reef and contributes to the local economy and marine research.
• 🤵 The wreck offers divers the opportunity to explore intact interiors, including machine rooms, narrow corridors, and equipped compartments.
• 👋 Good finning technique is essential due to the sedimentation that has occurred since the wreck sank.
• 🤵 Marine life, including young fish, can be found in multiple rooms towards the stern of HMS Sila.
• 🫢 The turbine room still features large gas turbines that were once used to generate electricity for the vessel.
• 🤵 Divers can swim around the turbine room and follow pipes and walkways to observe the machinery.
• 👻 The stern of HMS Sila allows divers to see prop shafts, companion ways, and corridors running the length of the ship.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the history of HMS Sila?

HMS Sila was originally built as a Leander class frigate in 1968 and served in active duty for 25 years before becoming a diving reef in 2004.

Q: Who owns and operates HMS Sila?

The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth owns and operates HMS Sila as a diving reef.

Q: What can divers expect to see inside the wreck?

Divers can explore almost every room of HMS Sila's intact interiors, including the missile launch control box, machine rooms, narrow corridors, filing cabinets, and drawers. The wreck gives the impression of a living ship with air venting from pipes.

Q: What marine life can be found around HMS Sila?

Divers can encounter various marine species such as sea urchins, squirts, anemones, piped hydroids, whiting, and dogfish while exploring HMS Sila.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• HMS Sila, formerly a Leander class frigate, has been transformed into a diving reef owned by the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth.

• The wreck, sunk only two years ago, offers intact interiors with various rooms and corridors to explore.

• Divers can encounter a wide range of marine life, including sea urchins, squirts, anemones, and dogfish, while exploring the wreck.