BAREG Update Late Summer 2026

U-853 – 25 & 26 JUL

Four BAREG divers traveled to Rhode Island for our group’s second 2026 trip to the U-853. As with the earlier trip in July, our divers dove from the F/V Priority Too, operating out of Point Judith, RI, and booked through the Giant Stride Dive Shop in Warwick, RI.

Many thanks to Bill A. for leading both of BAREG’s 2026 trips to U-853. We will plan for two trips to the U-853 in 2027. Tentative dates are 10&11 and 17&18 JUL, subject to confirmation with Giant Stride early in 2027.

Scapa Flow – 23-29 AUG

On 23 August 2026, ten BAREG divers arrived in Stromness in the Orkney Islands for our group’s fourth Scapa Flow dive trip. We had five continuous days of outstanding wreck diving with no days blown out by weather, a first for a BAREG Scapa Flow trip. We dove all of the major wrecks remaining from the scuttling of the Imperial German High Seas Fleet in 1919, including four battleships, three cruisers, and the turrets of one battleship that was raised and salvaged in the 1930s. Battleships capsize when they sink, and in the case of Seiner Majestät Schiff (SMS) Bayern, the turrets remained stuck in the bottom when the ship was raised.

The depth range of our dives over the five days was from 82 feet on the cruiser SMS Karlsruhe to 138 feet on the battleship SMS Markgraf. Most of the dives were planned with decompression profiles and required stops during SMB ascents. Water temperature was in the low 50 degrees F and viz ranged 15-20 feet. We had one minor case of Type I DCS, skin bends, that required a chamber run. The chamber treatment relieved the diver’s DCS symptoms.

We made our dives from the D/V Huskyan, our second trip on what is probably the best non-commercial dive vessel in the world, and stayed at the boat’s onshore lodge in Stromness. In addition to wreck diving, the group also visited terrestrial Neolithic archaeological sites including Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar.

Four of the ten divers were new to Scapa Flow, and all of the divers, including the repeat offenders, are interested in returning for more dives on the wrecks. We are considering a trip in 2028.

Our thanks to Huskyan and Scapa Scuba for making our trip a success, and specific thanks to Captain Emily, Jason, Nick, Ben, and Sara. Special thanks to Kevin and the team at the Orkney Hyperbaric Trust for their diligent and expert care for our bent diver.

Nine BAREG divers aboard Huskyan after loading our gear upon arrival in Stromness.

Breech of a 5.9 inch casemate gun on the light cruiser SMS Dresden.

Chet beginning penetration of the light cruiser SMS Karlsruhe.

Unlike our previous trip in mid-autumn 2024, the long summer days on this year’s trip gave us time for post-dive visits to terrestrial archaeological sites, including Skara Brae. The 5000-year-old site sits hard by Skaill Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and was first exposed during a storm in 1850.

The end-of-trip dining out at the Ferry Inn in Stromness has become a tradition for BAREG’s dives in Scapa Flow. Here we are joined by Jason from MV Huskyan, and he was responsible for, among other things, getting us in and out of the water safely and efficiently. He did an outstanding job and the success of our trip is in large part due to Jason’s attention to detail and safety. Many thanks Jason.

BAREG 2026 Activities

2026 Activities Schedule

Past:

31 JAN & 1 FEB: U-1105 & Potomac Wrecks – canx due to WX
7 FEB: BAREG Symposium – Location TBD – canx due to WX
11 & 12 APR: U-1105 Buoy Ops – complete
25 MAY: U-1105 Mooring buoy chain close inspection & U-boat dives – complete
31 MAY: U-1105 & Potomac Wrecks – complete
5 JUL: U-1105 Mooring Buoy Chain Temporary Repairs – complete
3-5 JUL: Pax River & Chesapeake Bay Wreck Dives – resked to 18-20 SEP
11 & 12 JUL: U-853, Point Judith, RI – complete
25 & 26 JUL: U-853, Point Judith, RI – complete
23-29 AUG: Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands, UK – complete

Upcoming:

12 & 13 SEP: U-1105 & Potomac Wrecks – open
18-20 SEP: Pax River & Chesapeake Bay Wreck Dives – open
14 NOV: Business Meeting
5 & 6 DEC: Buoy Ops

Patuxent River & Chesapeake Bay Dives – 18-20 SEP

Over three days in September, we will explore wrecks in the lower Patuxent River, and weather and time permitting, wrecks in the middle of Chesapeake Bay. Our objective is to collect information on the wrecks and provide notes and photos/video (if any) to the Maryland Historical Trust. This activity may include a dive on the S-49, a challenging wreck to dive given its location in the Patuxent River. The S-49 site is known for its strong current and visibility far less than what we find in the Potomac. The dive boat will be operating out of a marina in Solomons Island. These dives are open to AN/DP and wreck certified divers.

Fred Engle
Ops Coordinator
BAREG