The Kintyre

The wreck of the Kintyre

Alternative Name(s): None

Travel directions: Leaving Glasgow on the M8 west onto the A8 onto A78. Turn right at the Wemyss bay hotel down Wemyss bay road.

Parking directions: Park beside the red house (see picture below)

Distance from Glasgow: 30.1 miles 1 hour

OS Map & Grid Ref: To Follow

Lat & Long: N 55. 53. 201 W4.53. 982 (from charts)

OS Map: To Follow

Site entry/exit: Enter the water at the bottom of the steps cut into the rock (see the dive map) exit into the bay.

After exiting in the bay climb up the gap in the cliff (steps cut in rock) walk along the top of the red rocks. PS watch out for the sharks

Underwater directions: Enter the water and head out to 8-10m and turn right. Fin until u see the old sewage pipe (800mm Dia). It is usually covered in plumrose anemonys and sea urchins.

Head down the right side of the pipe until you come to a rope tied to the pipe heading to the right. The depth here is 31m. (high tide)

The rope has a lot of life growing on it and in places seams to be 100mm Dia, fin along the rope until you reach the top of the bow of the Kintyre. The depth here is 29m, The Kintyre sits on an even keel pointing bow to the shore, the top of the bow where the rope is tied is 3-4m from the seabed. Keep to the top of the wreck and head down to your planned depth. At midships on the port side the remains of three toilets are still visible. The stern of the wreck is on 50m. Care should be taken when the current is flowing. It is advisable to use the thirds rule for gas consumption (1/3 in 2/3 out) plus deco. If you go to the stern on air expect 25+ mins deco.

Site Hazards: Occasional down currents, Difficult entry/exit with waves.

Suggested experience: Experienced Master diver

Nearest Public phone: Wemyss bay Hotel

Mobile Network service: Orange

Other comments: If when you enter the water and the current is going down abort the dive. I have personally experienced very strong down currents here.

Some divers just dive the pipe because of the life growing on and around it.

Air & Nitrox fills: C+C Largs marina. Aquatron Glasgow.

Revision: 0

Links: http://www.clyde-diving.co.uk/wrecks.htm

http://website.lineone.net/~reivers.sac/clyde_wrecks/kintyre.htm

Pub: The Wemyss bay Hotel (see map)

Created by: John Nicolson

Date: 23.8.06

Thanks To:

Land photos: