Plymouth - Tue 29 July 2008 - Bell Virtue

[warmwaterdiver]

As I'm diving with Wrighty www.wrightys-charters.co.uk on Monday 28th, I thought I'd see if there is any interest in diving with him on the Tuesday as well

Hes agreed to run a trip out to the Bell Virtue, which is a small (90m) container ship in about 70m.
About 20 miles out, tides are vgood.
Lovely modern intact wreck (sunk 1970's).

Any interest, let me know direct please

Trip report via South West Mafia

[Steve Jones]

The Bell Virtu was a German vessel weighing in at 499 tons. She was 80.8m X 12.5m.
She was en route from Waterford to Rosenburg with containers and sank following collision in dense fog with bulk carrier Maritime Pioneer in April 1973.

There is no sign of the containers on the wreck but there is a mark on the sounder some way off that may be them.
At the bows the port anchor is in place, there is a small entrance under the forcastle deck and this area has heaps of silt, there is an entrance here but it is only about 2 feet wide.

In the front hold there are a lot of 6 inch 45 degree pipe bends, these all seem to be a hiding place for a huge number of congers, the heads are poking out everywhere)

Then at the stern the prop and rudder are in place, and as stated earlier the wreck stands up quite high as the wheel house etc is totally intact, even down to the handrails running around the various companionways. I could have got around these companionways (just) but getting inside would have been a problem as the entrances were very narrow and would have needed to drop off both sidemounts to have any chance.

It is posible to get into the bridge area from the rear of the hold, as long as you don't mind close encounters with congers.

There is some trawl net at the stern.

Steve

[warmwaterdiver]

bump

trip four week tomorrow, still a couple of places, contact Wrighty direct

[Steve Jones]

Originally Posted by warmwaterdiver

bump

trip four week tomorrow, still a couple of places, contact Wrighty direct

How many spaces are there Gary. My trip the day before is full. I mentioned it to necroman and as he is on my trip on the Monday he said he may stay on.

Steve

[warmwaterdiver]

Originally Posted by Steve Jones

How many spaces are there Gary. My trip the day before is full. I mentioned it to necroman and as he is on my trip on the Monday he said he may stay on.

not sure Steve, best speak to Wrighty direct as hes booking as individuals (if in doubt I'll speak to him on Ashs W2)

[warmwaterdiver]

I think we have six on so far Steve, could do with a few more to make it viable for Wrighty