To dive in those three shipwrecks you have to be supported and guided only by a Greek dive center officially licensed by the Ministry of Merchant Shipping.
Patris : Paddle wheeled steamer , sunk 1868, total length 80m, depth 28-54 m, located 8nm from our dive center. This wreck is located by a reef/rock, so there is no need to use a line to descend and ascend. We neither need deco stations. It is a beautiful wreck, an awesome dive, accessible by recreational divers. Minimum diving certificate is Advanced Open Water, and a check dive with us before accessing Patris is highly recommended. The use of dive computer in this dive is mandatory. Advanced Open Water divers are eligible to dive at maximum 30 m. depth. Recreational divers that have recreational Deep certification, can reach a maximum depth of 40 meters.
Burdigala : Ocean liner, sunk 1916, total length 183m, depth 59-75 m. Located out in the open ocean, just 1 nm from our dive center. We need line and deco station. Currents can be too strong, either in the surface or at the bottom. We avoid drifting deco. The maximum depth for CCR divers will be 100 meters, which is the depth that the CCR divers are certified to dive (CCR100)
Britannic: Ocean liner, sunk 1916, total length 276m, depth 84-118m Located out in the open ocean, just 3 nm from our dive center. We need line and deco station. Currents can be too strong, either in the surface or at the bottom. We avoid drifting deco, because there is marine traffic in the area
.We do the dives when true wind speed is less than 16 knots
It is highly recommended to use scooters at Britannic and Burdigala. They are big, long wrecks, and the currents are too strong
First we dive Patris, then Burdigala and finally Britannic. It's easier, to familiarize with local conditions, current etc
A shallow check dive before the wreck dives is highly recommended
We can support OC, CCR divers that have the certificates and the capability to do such dives. Each diver has to provide the diving certificate, dive insurance and medical certificate that he is capable and fit for such dives. Divers need to be guided underwater from a properly certified guide for each wreck respectively. We need to know the age, height, and weight of each diver. It's really nice to have reliable references about qualifications and capability of the divers. Certificates are mandatory, but sometimes not enough. We need to know how many dives each diver has done within the last 12 months, what kind of dives ( depth, ocean or lake, strong currents or not, etc.)
According to the new legal framework that was completed in June 2022, the dives at Britannic-Burdigala-Patris (Kea underwater Historic Park) can be conducted only by officially licensed greek dive centers. Individual divers are not allowed to have access to the wrecks. The Greek dive centers are liable to meet the requirements of the new law. The underwater guides needs to have a proper diving certificate (for that depth), that has been issued by a diving organization that is recognized officially in Greece. (only PADI, SSI, IANTD, CMAS and ANDI are officially recognized in Greece to provide teaching and guiding)
Dives will be strictly non penetration. The guide has to be responsible to ensure that the divers will not penetrate within the wreck, and the maximum depth will be 100 meters, which is the depth that the CCR divers are certified to dive (CCR100)
All wrecks are located close to our harbor in Kea, but they are out in the open ocean, in an area with strong currents and marine traffic (cargo ships) . Especially Britannic.
To be able to conduct dives we need to have wind speed less than 16 knots. When we have stronger winds, waves are getting big, creating risk for injuries and damages.
Statistically in a period of 10 days, you will be able to do 5-7 dives on average.
For such expeditions we use 2 boats at least /divesite
It is not allowed to remove anything from the wrecks. Penetration is not allowed. Strictly
The fotos/videos can be published in social media , but not for commercial use ( documentaries, movies, ads, commercials etc)
Operation: The dive centre is located 150 meters from the dock, where our boats are located. We use cars and trailers to move the gear back and forth. The diving gear can be stored at the dive centre during the expedition. At the dive centre we can fill tanks up to 300 bars and we blend gases with a Nardi TTmix/PRO, using boosters up to 210 bars for gases that contain O2 more than 40%.
Our support team has experienced tec divers, we can provide also a dive officer (optionally), support divers and supporting crew
Accommodation
Usually the rooms or hotels are located walking distance from the dive centre, but its much better to have cars during your stay on the island. (rental or yours)
Transportation
There are 2 ways to reach the island:
- Fly to Athens int. airport, then 25 minutes drive to Lavrio harbor, and from there the local ferry takes 75 minutes to Kea’s harbor. Our dive centre is located just 3 minutes drive from Kea’s main harbor (Korissia)
- Drive to Greece with your own car (or van, to carry equipment), head to Lavrio harbor etc….In this case, usually you drive to Italy (Ancona for example) take the ferry to Patra, and from there you drive to Lavrio (3 h drive)
