Diving in Barbados/Wreck of the Brianna H

Spontaneously sunk in 2014 after heavy rains, the cargo ship Brianna H. is an ideal introductory wreck dive.

Access
As the diver enters the water from the back of the boat moored to the buoy, the wreck is not visible from the surface. When he or she fins down into the gentle current for about 2 minutes in the direction of the rope to about five metres below the buoy, the stern of the wreck becomes visible.

Position
N 13.107°, W 59.634°

The wreck is located just off the Careenage, Bridgetown, Barbados.



Understand
Visibility is usually adequate and currents are generally light. The vessel sits perfectly upright on the coarse sand and seems untroubled by silt.

In February 2016, the wreck was marked by a large yellow buoy attached by rope to the stern.

Name
The Brianna H was built in 1965 and known by several different names over the course of her life: Mignon at the outset, Franz Held from 1970, Jade from 1982, and Connie from 1994 until 2009.

Depth
Although the sea bed is at 25 metres and too deep for novices, the decks and superstructure are much shallower.



Visibility
Visibility about 8 m

Conditions
The wreck is so new that there is very little growth so far, though fish and invertebrates are colonising her.

Suggested routes
Navigation is very easy in regards to direction and according to the depth you have planned.

Hazards
After years afloat in the bay, there appear to be no hazards.

Skills
Inexperienced divers should stick with their guide and not venture away from the wreck. The visibility, lack of serious current and tying of the buoy means that a safe ascent should not be difficult providing the rules about decompression avoidance are observed. More experienced divers will realise that current and visibility can vary from day to day at the same site, and buoys are often moved or removed. Safe return to the boat is top priority. The wreck is too far away and in waters that are too busy, to consider as a shore dive.