The 'achondo'

[CotoChris]

It's not often I thank the Spanish fishing fleet but I must now. In 1987 a spanish fishing boat loaded with swordfish was heading to port at Vigo bay, apparently the catch was good and the whole crew were drunk on cognac. As so they rammed some rocks off Vigo bay and continued another kilometre before they realise they were sinking. The boat sank without the crew leaving a nice wreck dive on a 36m seabed. The wreck as you can see form the pic (not mine) is lying on its side.

I rarely venture below the 30m mark as I tend to get narcotic and feels nervous. So with some apprehension I descended slowly down the shot and found the wreck at 27m. It lies intact and I had a good swim around. Keeping my focus on the wreck and the interesting bits I made myself not look at my computer every other second but once in every 5 minutes or so. The more I look at the computer the more aprehensive I become. (Suunto Cobra, so tells me how much air I have left). As to the wreck found some broken bottles in the cabin (the leftovers from the party?). The hold was largely empty, apparently when it sank the top came off and the swordfish floated off.

As fpr fish life the was a small conger, a school of large bib and wrasses as well as some blenneys in the inside.

I am inexperienced with wrecks but this helped me greatly to identify the bits n pieces such as the wrinches. (Damn, I just remembered I forgot to look out for the propellers) I can't wait to go back. The important part for me was to reach that depth and feel at ease whilst in the past I was a nervous 'wreck'. I finished the dive with 8m decompression and full of confidence.

Now going to wash the kit, hang it to dry and pack as I'm off tommorrow to the Azores for two weeks of diving! I'll miss YD but write you a trip report upon return.

[CotoChris]

Just had a fantastic dive thos morning at the is wreck. Viz was at around 5m, neither goof or bad. It was my first Nitrox dive, cylinder was supposed to have 30% but after testing before getting on to the boat was 28%. The Achondo is a fishing boat that lies intact at 36m off Vigo Bay, western Spain.

There wasn't anything specific I can point out what was so great about todays dive, just that I was really tranquil and enjoyed myself. I was able to have a good look and being on Nitrox I had some extra precious minutes although I did enter decompresion slightly (7min). after 20min lurking around.

I don't have any pics at the oment but next dive will take the camera. Below is a link to a video shot done by a fellow diver of the club:

http://www.buceoislascies.com/imagenes/achondo.mp4



Just hope this is the first of many Spainsh fishing vessels that will sink locally at diveable depths!

[CotoChris]

Another great dive at this wreck this morning. Funny how the sea can play. On the surface there was a fair current as the tide was leaving the bay. 5m down - pea soup viv, 10m - peas soup viz again, and at 15 and again at 20m. At some 24m the viz cleared up to a spectacular 15m or so giving a sureal grey colour to everything.

Water temp went from 18ºc to 13ºc but still did a fair 30min dive with 36m max, This time found the hole that sunk the ship, strange - i've dived her some 20 times and this was the first time I noticed it.

The day when viz was great was the day I di not bother with the camera!

Great day diving, early morning dive, tapas of octopus and cold beer, then lie on the sofa watching the grand prix. A great sunday so far