lays like an old elephant carcass
On Tuesday mornings the scheduled dive at Calipso is the wrecks by the new harbour wall at Peurto del Carmen.
It requires a boat to travel to the entry point next to the wall which is used as a reference for decending the safety stop and for the acsent to the surface.
There are four wrecks in all. As we decend we come across an imposing boat on its side. It jutts from the wall, having been incorporated into the walls construction. Time is not wasted on this wreck though as we drop off over the edge and swim slowly to the three as a greater depth of about 30 meters.
I am informed that all 4 boats are old working fishing boats the local authority sank on purpose specifically to support divers visiting the island.
The deepest wreck lays like an old elephant carcass. Its flesh eaten, rotted and scavenged from its bones. Its ribs exposed and pointing skyward. Made of wood, soon there will be nothing left of what used to harvest fish from this same sea. In the meantime, it provides accomodation and food to a host of fish and other marine invertabrates.
An old propeller sits on the sea bed. Measuring about 2ft across, algae and corals cover the corroding metal as small atlantic damsels swim around to investigate the possability of food.
Multi coloured turckish wrasse swim around the boats carcass weaving in and about flora covered wood.
This wreck looks almost intact. Its mast and rigging giving a ghostly feel to this man made environment.
Up now to explore the first wreck we past. It lays on its side. It is much bigger than the others and sits on an imposing ridge overlooign the others.
Looking at the wreck from below its bow, the light behind provides an eerie silluette.
Portholes look out from the bridge. Fish swim to and fro through what once were wheather proof.
Looking up I see a shoal of sardines swimming overhead. Not yet baitballs, their numbers are swelling.
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