Scapa Flow wreck survey gets under way

A new marine survey of the wartime wrecks in Scapa Flow gets under way today, Monday.

The Historic Scotland-commissioned project, which runs until November 30, will provide information on the extent, survival and condition of a number of sites that have not been recorded by previous work in the county.

ORCA Marine, a Department of Orkney College, and Sula Diving, will target sites which will be recorded using a side-scan sonar and then dived on to identify the nature and character of the remains. The work will focus on the remains of blockships around the Churchill Barriers and a number of other sites in and around the Gutter Sound.

It will also help Historic Scotland to consider the case for a Historic Marine Protected Area focused on the wartime underwater remains in the Flow.

A spokesman said: “This work will increase our understanding of Scapa flow’s marine heritage sites and fill the gaps in our mapping.

“The sites are deteriorating and this makes the case for recording them even stronger. This will enhance our understanding of the historic marine environment and provide an up-to-date record of important sites.”