Degaussing Barge, Loch Goil

Type of Dive:                       Small wreck, either shore or boat dive

Experience suggested:    Suitable for trainees and novice divers

Travel directions:               Can be dived as a strenuous shore dive or as a boat dive.  Take the A82 up Loch Lomondside to Tarbet.  Take LH fork onto A83 and go up the ‘Rest and be Thankful’.  Turn Left onto B828 Lochgoilhead.  Pass through Lochgoilhead onto west Loch Goil to village of Carrick Castle.  Pass through Carrick Castle

Parking directions:            If shore diving, park so as not to obstruct vehicular access at Ardnaheim farm – The Yellow house.  Ask permission to use the farm track at the farmhouse.  There is a track/footpath that leads from the farm to Toll Nam Muc.

By boat:                                Launch at Helensburgh/Rhu , public jetty between Glen Mallon Pier and Finnart, or Carrick Castle.  The Swine Hole is a well known site for yacht musters with good anchorage.

From Little Chef, Milton:   41 miles, 1 ¼ hours

OS Map & Grid Ref:           OS Map 56, 205933

Lat & Long:                          56:06:03N; 04:53:18W

1:200 00 Map

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=250000.11103526&Y=700000.167589999&width=700&height=400&gride=248061.11103526&gridn=664111.167589999&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&keepicon=true&zm=0&scale=200000&left.x=5&left.y=145

1:25 000 Map:

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=220000&Y=695000&width=700&height=400&gride=248061.11103526&gridn=664111.167589999&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&keepicon=true&zm=0&scale=25000&down.x=289&down.y=5

Site entry/exit:                     The Barge is located 150m due north of the grassy headland of Roinn Diomhain which is the East side arm of Toll nan Muc bay (see sketch).  Depth is approximately 6 to 9m.  If boat diving, the barge is visible from the boat as it is so shallow.

Underwater directions:    The barge is silt covered 23m x 5m x 3m steel structure lying on a muddy seabed.  Top of the barge is flat.  Swim around and over taking care not to kick up the silt. Lots of small sealoch life.

Divesite map/sketch:        Transits from ‘Dive W Scotland’ by G Ridley

Site Hazards:                      Viz due to silt on the barge.  Tide can run at over 1 knot through the Loch Goil entrance so you must time dive for slack water.

Nearest Public phone:      In Carrick Castle directly opposite the MOD Pier and Castle

Mobile Network service:  Not checked

Pub & Café:                         Lochgoilhead

Links:           

http://www.musac.man.ac.uk/directory/sites/uk.wscot.carrick.barge.htm

http://www.chippenhamdivers.co.uk/lookup/sfx_12_13.htm

Other comments                 Air fills are possible by arrangement with operator of compressor at Darroch Mhor Watersports and Chalets, Carrick Castle.  Tel 01301 703249.  Expect to drop tanks off in the evening and pick up refilled in the morning.

Thanks to:                            Charlie Ramage and Dumbarton Scot SAC for divesite information.

Version:                                1.0

Created by:                          alex maclennan

Date:                                      February 2007