Wreck Appreciation Course
Many people learn to dive for a variety of different reasons. However, a great number of people learn to dive because they are interested in underwater exploration and in particular Wreck Diving. There are many different attractions of diving on wrecks. Shipwrecks make ideal artificial reefs where marine life can thrive and are abundant. Wrecks also make great opportunities for photo shoots, making them very attractive to Photographer and Videographers. But one of the mean reasons that divers like to diver on wrecks is because of their historical values. From the date that a ship sunk below the surface, they become a time capsule until the day they are discovered. Finding an historical wreck takes a lot of work but is also a great achieved once found. As divers, finding undiscovered wrecks is well within our capability with the right knowledge and training. One memorable find was in 1966, where divers from BSAC Southsea dive branch, based in the UK, found an obscure mark on a hydrographic sea chart. After some four years later, and after further research and investigation, they found the wreck of the Mary Rose galleon at this site. The Mary Rose was constructed in 1510, which made it a significance find. 
Course aims
The course is design to give the diver relevant information and techniques in order to research potential wreck sites and methods used to locate them. The course looks at identifying wrecks using a range of different methods, from Sea Charts and markings, using transits or by using electronic locating equipment. Other areas covered in this course are the different types of ship constructions, wreck surveying and marine life to be found on wrecks and their habitation on the wreck
This course is open to BSAC Ocean Divers and above or equivalent.
Course Duration:
The course duration is 2 – days
Course recognition:
This course is recognised by the ‘’Nautical Archaeology Society” (NAS) and is accreditation credits can be awarded towards the NAS part - 3 certification (see their website for more details) www.nauticalarchaeologysociety.org
Theory lessons:
There are 5 theory lessons in total. Lesson 1 starts with the different attractions of wreck diving. Wreck exploration, photographic opportunities, artificial reef structure as well as the marine life living on the wreck etc. We then move on to how to locate wrecks by means of various medias and resources, identifying wrecks from sea charts and through electronic wreck location devices.
Lesson 2 looks at the Ship construction and the layout of a wreck. Knowing where various wreck components are will give you an idea of where you are on the wreck; even if the wreck is completely broken up, e.g. finding the ships boilers means that you are probably near the engine room. Finding the anchor would suggest that you are near the bow of the ship etc.
In lesson 3, we take a look at the different marine life that is commonly found on wrecks. We look at different habitats to be found around the wreck, where you are likely to find certain marine life. Diving on wrecks sometimes needs special techniques and equipment. In order to find our way back to the ascent line we may need to use distance lines or pilotage, as the use of a compass to navigate yourself around the wreck would be ineffective due to the magnetic influence of the steel wreck construction on your compass.
Lesson 4 takes a look at how to successfully navigate yourself around the wreck.
Wrecks can create some additional risk compared to other types of diving. In this lesson we address such hazards and look how we can minimize them or totally avoid them. And finally, we take a look at some laws and regulations that relate to diving on some wrecks. Whilst you are diving the wreck, you may want to record details in order that you can find them again next time dive the same wreck? So we finish this lesson by showing you how to sketch simple drawing of the wrecks layout.
Practical Dry Lessons:
Before you start your open water dives, the instructor will run you through some dry surface skills in order that once under water you will have had a dry practice of these skills beforehand. These lessons will also familiarize you with equipment that you may or may not have used before. This lesson will show you how to construct a Shotline, running out and retrieving a distance line and to practice the deployment of a Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB)
Open Water Dives
On completion of the theory lessons you will then take this knowledge into the water, by conducting two open water dives. On dive number one, the instructor will start by showing you some methods of locating the wreck site. This will be done by means of either GPS of the use of visual transit marks. Once you have descended down the Shotline onto the wreck, you will then explore the wreck using the correct diving techniques to minimize the impact to the wreck or the marine life living on it. You will also be shown how to minimize the deterioration of the underwater conditions caused by incorrect fining and poor buoyancy techniques. On this first dive, you will deploy a distance line and if the wreck allows, you will conduct a simple but short penetration of a large overhang environment. During the dive you should be able to get a good idea of the layout of the wreck and will be able to recognised potential hazards.
On dive two, each student will make a recording of the wreck by taking both measurements and depth recordings on different parts of the wreck. You will also draw a simple sketch of a particular area of the wreck that you have already surveyed.
At the end of this dive, the student will deploy a Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) in which the deployment will be conducted using an anchor point of the reel onto the wreck. During the ascent of the DSMB line the student will conduct a planned safety stop (for Ocean Divers) or planned decompression stops for those who are qualified to conduct such stops.
Practical Dry Lessons:
On completion of your dives, you will then transfer your drawings and recordings from your dive slate onto paper; making a more formal diagram of the wreck site.
