Algarve · Portugal · Wreck · Artificial reef
NRP Almeida Carvalho
A 64 m survey ship, 12 m in the beam, quoted at 30 to 33 m
A hydrographic survey ship, converted from a Bangor-class minesweeper, sunk on 21 September 2013 as one of the four Portuguese Navy hulls of the Ocean Revival park off the Algarve coast. She is 64 m long with a 12 m beam, and the site is quoted at 30 m by one operator and 33 m by another.
Also known as Almeida Carvalho.
Where it is and how deep
37.0920° N, 8.6020° WPublished position for this site.
The dive
The park is marked on the surface by signalling buoys, so boats tie in above a known hull rather than hunt for it. You go down the line onto the ship and work a section of her: at 64 m long and 12 m in the beam there is more of her than a single bottom time at 30 m covers comfortably, so pick an end and follow the deck line back towards the mooring while you still have gas in hand.
Depth is the governing constraint. Scubago gives the site a maximum of 30 m, the local operator WeDive lists 33 m, and either figure puts the deepest part of the dive outside beginner range and makes nitrox and a planned working depth worth having. She went down on 21 September 2013, one of the four navy ships put down for the Ocean Revival project, and she is the survey vessel of the group: a Bangor-class minesweeper converted for hydrographic work rather than a warship built to fight.
The wreck
- Vessel
- NRP Almeida Carvalho (A527)
- Type
- Bangor-class minesweeper converted to survey vessel
- Length
- 64 m (210 ft)
- Sunk
- 2013
- Cause
- Scuttled as an artificial reef for the Ocean Revival project
- Lies
- On the Ocean Revival site off the Algarve coast, with 30 to 33 m of depth quoted for the wreck
She began as a Bangor-class minesweeper, the former HMCS Fort York, and was converted for use as a hydrographic survey vessel in Portuguese Navy service as A527. Once decommissioned she was chosen as one of the four hulls for the Ocean Revival underwater park off the Algarve coast, a group of navy ships put down deliberately to serve as artificial reefs, and she was sunk on 21 September 2013.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off-season | Off-season | Fair | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Off-season |
Season follows Algarve: May–Oct is the settled season with the clearest water; Atlantic swell and cold water shut most operations over winter.
Questions divers ask
How deep is the Almeida Carvalho?+
Scubago gives the site a maximum depth of 30 m and the local operator WeDive lists 33 m, so plan for a seabed around 30 m or a little deeper alongside the hull.
What certification do I need?+
Advanced or equivalent, because the seabed alongside the wreck is at 30 m or more. Going inside the ship needs wreck training on top of that.
Sources
- Almeida Carvalho (Wreck) — Scubago
- WeDive Lagos — dive sites — WeDive Lagos
- List of ships of the Portuguese Navy — Wikipedia
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