Galjoen zonder poen

Tip

**General & Historical Context:** ‘Galjoen zonder Poen’ is one of the most evocative wreck diving sites in the salty tidal waters of the Oosterschelde. The distinctive name was given to the site decades ago by Belgian recreational divers. Underwater lies a steel cargo or work vessel resting on a gently sloping sandy seabed, running parallel to the sea wall. In addition to the historical value of the wreck itself, the dive site is renowned for the rich underwater biotope that has developed on and around the structure. **Practical Information & Access:** The dive site is situated on the Steldijk in Zuid-Beveland, halfway between Kattendijke and Wemeldinge. The official address for emergency services is the junction of the Steldijk and the Binnendijk in Wemeldinge (near the turn-off to the Hoogeweg). Parking is only permitted on the verge along the Binnendijk. When crossing the dyke with diving equipment, take extra care with passing traffic, as vehicles often travel at high speed along this stretch of dyke. A fixed staircase over the sea dyke provides access to the water’s edge. **Underwater navigation to the wreck:** Locating the wreck requires precise two-stage navigation using a compass and depth gauge: **1. The descent (bearing 0° North):** Once in the water, head directly north on the compass. You’ll descend along a stone slope that drops quite steeply. In the shallower waters, stirred-up sediment may limit visibility; as you go deeper, the water generally clears up considerably. Continue heading due north until your depth gauge reads approximately 23 metres. Here, the steep slope ends and you move onto a gently sloping sandy plain. **2. The approach (Course 270° West):** As soon as you reach the sand at 23 metres, make a sharp turn to the left (westward course). Follow this sandy area whilst the depth gradually increases to around 25 to 26 metres. You will soon come across loose metal wreckage and clusters of oysters; continue to follow these traces westwards to arrive directly at the main wreck. **Wreck Orientation and Landmarks:** - Bow section: The ship lies parallel to the coastline, with its bow pointing east. The rising bow is the most striking landmark, towering some four metres above the surrounding sandy seabed. The forward steel frames are still intact, with clear openings in the starboard side of the hull. - Stern: Further west, the hull has disintegrated and is camouflaged beneath a dense reef of Japanese oysters. If you swim past the wreck a little further north-west onto the sandy plain, you will come across the compact remains of a small work boat. **Return and Decompression Management (Course ~200° South/South-West):** End the wreck dive in good time to remain within the no-decompression limit. To ascend safely and gradually, head south-west (approximately 200°) from the wreck. At around 18 metres, you’ll come across the outer reaches of the basalt breakwater. By calmly following this rocky slope southwards at progressively shallower depths, you’ll make a natural multi-level ascent. This will naturally lead you back to the shallow plateau near the entry steps, whilst allowing your body to degas gently. **Diving Conditions & Tide Schedule:** This site is extremely sensitive to currents and is only suitable for divers with proven experience of tidal currents. Diving during the high-water turn (HW) is officially strongly discouraged due to the depth. The low-water turn (LW) is by far the preferred time for this site: - Advantages of LW: The wreck is then at a shallower depth and visibility is generally considerably clearer than at HW. - Planning tip: Entering the water approximately 30 minutes before the tide change offers the advantage of drifting comfortably towards the wreck site on the last remnants of the ebb current. - Maximum depth at the dive site: approximately 40 metres (in the current channel). - Tidal offsets relative to the Stavenisse reference station: * High tide (HW): +5 minutes (diving not recommended) * Low tide (LW): 0 minutes (no offset) **Biodiversity (Flora & Fauna):** Both the steel skeleton of the wreck and the basalt blocks of the breakwater act as a spectacular artificial reef underwater. Large, pale bath sponges and anemones have colonised the hard substrate. Numerous North Sea crabs, porcelain crabs and European lobsters inhabit the spaces between the frames, openings and Japanese oyster reefs. The surrounding sandy seabed also provides a favourite hunting ground for flatfish and various species of fish passing through the current channel.

More dive sites in Oosterschelde

• Zeelandbrug
• Plompe Toren
• Bergse Diepsluis
• Wemeldinge -Oost
• Burghsluis Westelijke dam