Well I live in the UK - but after almost 16 years away - as a diver I'm new. Today was my first REAL wreck dive in the UK in almost 20 years. It's a strange thought, but was generally enjoyable.
I went with a buddy to Swanage and did a dive on the Kyarra.
After a 4am start to catch the early low-water slack, we made the 6.30 "Ropes Off" with plenty of time to spare. The weather in the preceding few days had been rainy, and we were warned that conditions my not be "perfect". In fact a growing breeze had built up a fair swell (6-8ft swell some waves 15 ft trough-to-crest). This did not bode well. Swanage Diver was more than up to the task and we were quickly onsite. The buddy teams dropped into the permanent buoy and descended one team at a time. We were third up.
Here is my description of the conditions and impressions of the wreck. I'm sorry but neither of us had a camera on this trip - so pictures will not be forthcoming.
We arrived at the wreck at 21M in a slight current. We were to be working against that current for the whole dive. It wasn't a struggle, just "there" There was plenty of wreck profile to hide behind to make easy progress. The water temperature was a "summer-y" 16 deg C with viz from 6-10M. It was going to be a pleasant dive, better than expected.
There were shoaling fish all over the wreck - I saw Sea Bass of good size as well as pollock, pouting, crab lobsters and several notable individual fish. More of which later.
I particularly enjoyed covering in temperate water sponges, and the usual growths and worms. It was also an interesting place because of the artifacts strewn over the bottom - perfume bottles, sealing wax, picture frames and other parts of the cargo.
In our slow, 35 minute, bottom time we were able to cover about 2/3 to 3/4 of the wreck. Highlights of the topography include the boilers which were truly outstanding, and some interesting holds - We didn't penetrate as my buddy wasn't O/H certified. The dive was Minimum-Deco/Non Deco on Nitrox.
My personal highlight of the dive would be my "close encounter" - read nose to nose - with one of the larger conger eels I've ever seen.
It's always a little disturbing to be on the "home turf" of a predatory animal that size (about 6-7 ft long). Fortunately we (the conger and I) decided that as it was swimming towards me - it would go down and I would go up a little.. it passed about 18 inches below me. The look on my buddy's face was a picture as I looked through my legs!
Over all a great dive. One that will be repeated.
Our follow-up was a 45 minute, slow drift across the bay in 18-20M / 60-70 ft - a comfortable drift with plenty of opportunities to collect the local edible fauna.. I'm not a seafood person - so I passed up the opportunity, but I know some of that collected will be going to good homes!
This UK stuff isn't that bad really.. I guess I could get used to it! Right... where next??