Scylla Reef

 | By Seamus on 5/8/2011 1:36:13 AM | Views (314) Type : Frigate
Built : 1968

Size : 2500 tonnes
Length : 113 m

Sunk : 2004.03.27
Cause : artificial diving reef

Depth
Shallowest Deepest
Top : 4 m 0 m
Deck : 0 m 0 m
Bed : 21 m 0 m

Orientation : S
Lying : Upright
Condition : Intact

Artifacts : cleaned for sinking

Wreck Owner
Owner : National Aquarium
Access : Public

Notes :
Scylla is approximately 50° 19.58' N 04° 15.19' W (Admiralty chart 1900)
HMS Scylla was an Exocet Leander class frigate, the last frigate to be built in Devonport Royal Dockyard in 1968. Scylla is 113m long with a displacement of 2500 tonnes. She undertook 'Cod War' patrols in 1975 and in August 1980 was dispatched to deliver emergency relief teams to the hurricane stricken island Cayman Brac. In December 1987 she was deployed to the Persian Gulf. In 1993 she was decommissioned and in 2003 was bought by the National Marine Aquarium to be placed on the seabed as a reef.
Divers will have access to the superstructure, all of decks 1 and 2 and partial access to decks 3 and 4. Highlights will include the captain's cabin, the bridge, galley, mess decks and living accommodation, operations room and the engine room. Generally, there is a prevailing SW wind. Visibility can be anything between 3-10 metres.
Soon after Scylla settles on the seabed curious fish like Pollack, Bass and possibly Scad or Mackerel will appear. The deep-bodied Bib will soon take up residence around the wreck, and it won't be long before the first Conger finds a suitable hole to make its lair. Fairly quickly a colony of tiny animals call sea firs will develop and filter feeding animals like Barnacles will settle. Blennies, and in time, Triggerfish will start to feed on these. Because of the different conditions on the two sides of the reef, different communities will grow up. Sea squirts, anenomies and soft corals such as Dead Man's Fingers will dominate these. There is a lot of interest in how soon, or whether, Pink Sea Fans will colonise. They are well established on the James Eagan Layne but it is not known how easily they spread from existing sites.
Areas in the light will develop algal cover, which in turn will shelter Ballan Wrasse, John Dorys and Two-spot Gobies.
The seabed around Scylla is a known nursery for flatfish and one of the few breeding areas for Couch's Sea Bream in Britain.
Sunfish and Basking Sharks are regular in this part of Whitsand Bay and Electric Rays have been seen. These and other unusual fish including Triggerfish should be reported to the National Marine Aquarium.
The best places to launch from are : Mountbatten Centre, Queen Anne's Battery, Cremyll, Torpoint, Saltash, Seaton, Cawsand Bay amongst others. Please refer to www.boatlaunch.co.uk
Just 800m from the James Eegan Layne in Whitsand Bay, South East Cornwall.
She has stern, midships and bow marker buoys. Her bow faces south.
She is on a sloping section of seabed in 21m At low tide there is about 4 metres of clearance, so she is suitable for snorkellers too.
Compressors can be found at : Mount Batten Centre, Queen Anne's Battery, Looe Divers
Scylla is a tidal wreck and the tidal range is up to 5 metres and information can be found on Plymouth area charts. (Chart: Plymouth 1900 is possibly the best)
There are some restrictions for example there is a voluntary 'no take zone' around the ship. It is to make sure that fishing will stop in the zone, so that the marine life can develop to its full potential. Please respect this and do not remove any marine life from this area.
Only take pictures and leave bubbles, please do not scavenge from the reef.
In order to make this project work information is required about what you see.

Catch Information

Species:
Grey Triggerfish


Pollock

Structure Information

Scylla Reef is a fishing spot. A shipwreck or wreckage from a sunken vessel is located at this spot. An artificial or natural reef that attracts fish can be found here. This location has a boat ramp, landing, or access spot for fishing.

Fishing Spot

Reef

Shipwreck

This fishing spot was added to the database on 5/8/2011 1:36:13 AM by Seamus and last updated on 5/8/2011 1:36:13 AM.

Location

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