What Is Wreck Diving? Why Is It So Popular and Dangerous?

There are a lot of activities to do in the sea and in the oceans. One such activity which is not spoken about much and that many people don’t know but gives a larger exposure to ship wrecks is Wreck diving. As people say, there lies another beautiful world under water where we could explore a lot more. 

What is Wreck Diving , Reasons for popularity, why wreck diving is dangerous?
Source- CNT

True to that, this wreck diving activity provides much more and a different kind of experience when compared with scuba diving which has gained more popularity in the country. Let us look more about one of the sunken highlight activities- the wreck diving.


What is Wreck diving?

Many ships might have sunk in earlier days due to various reasons like collisions, storms, fires, explosions or due to navigational errors or any other mishaps. Due to any of these mishaps, the ships get damaged and as days pass, they get sunk due to heavy mass.

They go very deep in the ocean and get settled there. It is those ships that turn into the important spots for the wreck divers to explore.  

Many such beautiful spots have been discovered in the past and the divers use them to explore as they yearn to unravel much information that has not been known till date as that fuels their passion for discovery.

Today, some ships are sunk intentionally to create artificial reefs and to benefit divers and fishermen. Generally, shipwrecks in the shallow waters are dived most by the divers and those in deep waters still remain unreached.

Due to today’s technological advancements, many shipwrecks are found every year which paves the way for the divers to fuel their diving passion.

                                                
What is Wreck Diving , Reasons for popularity, why wreck diving is dangerous?
Source-Travel & leisure 

Reasons for Diving Wrecks

Some people do wreck diving where historical interest would be their driving force. They wish to know the reasons that caused the ship to the tragedy and also wanted to discover more on that to come to a conclusion that nobody has arrived. 

Some divers want to know more about the old ships and the various mechanisms used those days and the infrastructure of the ships and so on which lead them to gain more knowledge on different types of ships and if fortunate they can also find a solution for any existing problem with the reference to the things observed in the ship wrecks.

Some divers would love to just dive into the shipwrecks and have a good view underwater. They would love to swim through the engine room, bridges and others. Wreck diving also provides the divers to enhance their diving skills.

Gary Gentile, a famed wreck diver and author says, ‘’It’s the challenge and exploration of the unknown’’ as the reason to take up wreck diving. 


Wreck diving-Training and Safety

It is an advanced skill and requires special equipment and training. There are many hazards in each wreck and they vary from one another.

They may include any sharp objects, loose cables, bulk objects and also unknown pathways. One of the major problems for the wreck divers is the availability of very less light, especially no ambient light as they go deeper in the ocean.

The best advice for interested divers is to do a lot of research and homework before diving. Proper wreck diving courses and training is to be taken and necessary equipment must be made available.

Proper outfits for wreck diving, necessary hose length, and repeated diving experience are some of the important safety precautions.

Reasons for Its Popularity
  1. Historical Fascination

  2. Many people are drawn to wreck diving because of their interest in history. Exploring sunken ships allows divers to connect with the past and uncover stories from bygone eras.


  3. Unique Experience

  4. Wreck diving offers a completely different experience compared to regular scuba diving. Swimming through the remains of a ship and witnessing how marine life has transformed it into an artificial reef creates a thrilling and memorable adventure.


  5. Thrill of Discovery

  6. The allure of the unknown and the excitement of discovering hidden artifacts or exploring uncharted areas within the wreckage fuel the thrill-seeking nature of wreck diving.


  7. Biodiversity and Marine Life

  8. Wrecks often become vibrant ecosystems, attracting a diverse range of marine life. Divers have the opportunity to observe and interact with marine species that congregate around these structures.


  9. Art and Photography

  10. Wrecks can be visually stunning, and many photographers and artists are attracted to wreck diving for the unique and captivating images they can capture.

Why is it considered dangerous ?

Hazards

Sunken ships can have sharp edges, entangled cables, and unstable structures. Navigating through tight spaces and debris can pose risks to divers.

Limited Visibility

The underwater environment may have poor visibility, especially in deep wrecks. Divers must rely on their training and equipment to navigate safely.

Decompression Risks

Wreck dives often involve deeper depths, increasing the risk of decompression sickness if divers do not adhere to proper ascent rates and decompression stops.

Penetration Hazards

Entering enclosed spaces within the wreck can lead to entrapment or disorientation, making it crucial for divers to have the right training and experience.

Unpredictable Conditions

The marine environment is subject to changing currents, weather conditions, and other natural elements that can make wreck diving challenging and hazardous.

Best places in India for Wreck diving

Our Indian sea and ocean routes have an amazing past especially with overseas trade from having open relations with Greece, Rome and Persia to the arrival of the British, Dutch and the Portuguese. Wreck diving is more famous in the country of Europe. 

In our country, best places to enjoy wreck diving include mainly the Lakshadweep Islands as the water clarity is the best there and a second recommendation would be Pondicherry.

Bangaram Islands is very famous for diving experiences and interested people can also try there. There are many ways to apply for diving experiences online.

When you are ready with your wreck diving certificate and wish to explore wreck diving, you can try specific websites which provide diving programs. Penetrating into a wreck is not a simple thing to consider as it requires a lot of planning, preparation and equipment.

Wreck diving has a wide range of opportunities for discovery and exploration from North Carolina to the South Pacific and from the Great Lakes to Great Britain with an endless list of wrecks waiting to be explored. You can start your training and you shall have a lifetime of adventure waiting for you as a wreck diver.


Written By- Saumiyaa K S
Edited By- Akshita Bist

Post a Comment

0 Comments