This was booked and deposits paid in 2012. There were a few changes to the dive team along the way but eventually twelve divers arrived in Bergen with kit to join MV Halton, skipper Bob Anderson and the crew, Theresa and Elizabeth.
We spent Saturday afternoon sorting gear etc and then the evening seeing some of Bergen, a stunning place to visit in its own right. What is not to like about a clean, safe city with a café culture and a waterfront full of historical buildings, boats and yachts.
The plan was to dive the wrecks between Bergen and Floro, several of which are recognised as world class. We were not disappointed. Once we descended below 8m the visibility was 20m plus and the water a lovely green colour if a touch on the cool side at 8c.
We started with The Spring as a shakedown dive and completed Sunday’s diving on the Haaken, a small but perfectly formed wreck lying upright on the sea bed. Finning away from the props and looking back, one could see the whole wreck, plastered with sea squirts, anemones and peacock worms.
The weather held as we dived on the Frankenwald (my favourite) with the mast covered in plumose anemones and the Tyrifjord. The Wilhelm was so good we did it twice. A no touch and no take policy meant that everything from portholes to sinks, bottles and grenades were still in place. Machine gun placements, the accommodation block, winches and holds all visible from a distance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBH6R8Kdsos
We dived on the Swanholm and Havad, two smaller wrecks but again stunning visibility meant we could see the whole of them, just by finning out and looking back.
June 26th was a brilliant day as we dived the Ferndale and Parrat(means alert in Norwegian) in the morning. The Ferndale starts at 6m and lies vertically with the Parrat starting at 44m just off her stern. Two wrecks in one dive in with fabulous visibility—what’s not to like.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leAGtqIOC7o
On our return to Bergen we dived the Frankenwald again and then finished the week on Tope Wall, which had 3/4m Tope cruising above, below and in front of us. A return to the Spring and suddenly the diving was over and we were back in Bergen to de-kit, pack up and finish with a meal out in the historical Bryggen.
Fantastic diving, good weather, stunning scenery, fabulous food, great skipper and crew. Worth the two year wait? A resounding yes.
So good I stayed for an extra two weeks.