Trip Report: The Achondo
- Location : Bay of Vigo
- Team: Rafael Rodriguez and Jorge Nunez
- Maximum Depth: 34m
Background
The 40m long trawler Achondo was on its way towards the port of Vigo when it collided with the shallows known as the "Carallons" which mark the souther edge of the south channel into the bay of Vigo.
This channel is used by large vessels to gain access to the protected shelter offered by one of the major harbours in Southern Europe. It presents no major difficulties to ships wishing to enter the area, provided that one abides by the designated courses.
Unfortunately for the Achondo, it deviated from the channel and violently hit the shallow reef, sinking only a few hundred meters away from it in a very short time. There was no loss of life on this accident as the crew managed to deploy the life-rafts and row to safety towards the Patos beach nearby.
The exact reasons for the accident remain largely unknown. The puzzle is compounded by witnesses acounts which indicate that the conditions were benign and the sea flat calm.
The wreck sits partially on a sand bank, partially on a reef, listing 30 degrees to port. When there is a swell in the bay it normally hits the wreck on it port side and rises over its deck. Its starboard side remains normally sheltered from currents and swell.
The Dive
The Achondo is a beautiful wreck which rests intact as no salvage work has been carried on it. It remained undived for many years after its sinking until a local dive centre found it after an intensive search campaign. There are a number of artifacts inside the wreck, still left from the day of its sinking, including wine bottles, fishing nets and all electronics. The keel of the wreck sits on a sandbank while the majority of its starboard side rests on a small reef. The hull thus lists 30 degrees to port.
This makes finding it rather difficult, as the reef could be mistaken for the wreck. Its mast rises to 26m while the seabed is at 34-38m depending on the tide. A small hole in the bow section marks one of the collision points with the reef. Nevertheless what probably sealed its fate was a large hole on its stern section, clearly visible as the iron hull has been deformed by the rocks and several large holes show how the water got into it.
Peering through these holes one can see the sleeping quarters and shower inside. The area is subject to mild currents, mostly tidal, occasionally surface only. Visibility is, as is the case in most of the North Atlantic, at its best in Winter, with Spring seeing a rather intense plankton bloom. Swell can cause the seabed to stir up and degrade the visibility. Soft corals have grown over the years on its hull and deck, which still retains some of its original timber.
Only one of the letters of its name and base port remains in place, the rest have been taken by souvenir hunters. A number of fishing nets adorn its mast, which represent an entanglement hazard in low visibility and swell.
The propeller and rudder are still in place, half buried in sand, clearly visible on its starboard side. Large banks of pouting populate this site, which is popular with anglers. Lobster and congers have also been spotted on the wreck.
Our goal for this dive was to video the state of the wreck to record its evolution over time as the action of souvenir hunters has started to leave marks on it. On the day, unfortunately as its common in the area, there was a westerly swell which is clearly visible in the short video clip on this page and the annual plankton bloom had already started. Therefore the visibility was not as good as it could have been.
The site is frequented by all dive centres in the bay of Vigo, so should you wish to dive it there are a number of options available.
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