Vectis Expeditions inaugural diving expeditions kicked off at the start of a couple of weeks of glorious weather in the Sound of Mull, a must dive location for the true UK diving fanatic.

The normally stunning scenery was truly magnificent both above and below the water, basking in rays of early summer sunshine. We started with shakedown dives on the SS Breda, one of Scotland most famous, intact and readily accessible shipwrecks located in Ardmucknish Bay.  Aberdeen BSAC dropped by in the RHIB and we briefed them on BSAC Operation Oyster project over a cup of tea and a biscuit onboard, recruiting some environmentally conscious divers to the cause.

After overnighting in Oban in order to pick up a large oxygen supply we then with barely a ripple in sight in the morning we headed to out to an aircraft wreck of a Catalina flying boat just outside Oban.  Although damaged by fishing activity and partially obscured with a very large trawl net this is still a very interesting wreck where you can peer into the cockpit, see the propellor blades and underwing floats. We headed to the SS Ronda, a part salvaged shipwreck that fell off the rock Dubh Sgeir where it has been perched before coming to rest against the side of a steep wall.  Another iconic wreck dive due to the depth and the fauna, particularly around the rudder area at decompression stop level.

The team had been keeping their eye open for native flat oysters in support of BSAC Operation Oyster, on all the dives and there was a little excitement when we found what initially could be mistaken as the shells of juvenile native oysters.  Alas they turned out to be saddle oysters shells which it turns out are quite abundant. However, great to see the team getting their eyes tuned into finding evidence of native Oysters.

We overnighted in Tobermory taking the opportunity to see if we could access the with an obligatory visit to the Mishnish, The next day we targeted a couple of scenic sites: Auliston Wall and Aird Na Cuil.  It was the optional third dive in Loch Na Droma Buidhe (which we nicknamed Loch Drambuie) that scored for BSAC Operation Oyster. On a randomly selected site we landed on a mass of mussel shells, then clam shells that were surrounded by a silty seabed. Heading down slope we came across some firework anemones before discovering remains of a very old native oyster seabed in about 10m.

We berthed overnight back in Dunstaffnage Marina before diving the SS Thesis.  An oyster shell was found at the stern of the Thesis indicating that once upon a time there may well have been thriving populations in the area. For our final dive we returned to the SS Breda for another thumping dive.

Thanks to crew of the MV Clasina – Bob, Stef and Craig and the dive team week – Fiona, Ian, Mick, Catherine and Ollie.