Subjects

HCMR starts its mission to meet Britannic, the Hospital sister-ship of the Titanic, the legendary shipwreck, the so-called by the divers “Mount Everest” of the Seas, for it is sunk extremely deep, 120 metres under the sea surface…

The shipwreck is impressive even viewed from the sonar of the bathyscaph, and the moment when “THETIS” reaches very close is breath taking. We can even see the bridge-deck tiles. Its size is impressive. MAXRoV goes under the propeller of the ship. But the most impressive of all is the marine life living there! In front of our eyes we can see an “oasis of life”! Britannic is an invaluable colourful ecological treasure. Even if everything seems motionless, there is a feeling that everything is moving.

On the top of the shipwreck and among the fishermen’s nets there are white sea-worm colonies and several species of sponges. It’s fantastic! A great variety of colours, such as orange, yellow, lilac or red.

A little further, we meet significantly less sponge colonies but many red algae, few algae and oysters.

In the shipwreck’s main part, the picture is different. The scenery isn’t so colourful anymore. There are lobsters coming in and out of the portholes looking for food. Several fish of the species Anthias anthias are also swimming, giving the impression of a continuous movement.

In the lowest zone of Britannic it is certain that the population and biodiversity is reduced, because the light is less.

We will always have in mind what Simon Mills, the British owner of the Britannic said, while he was watching, through the MAXRoV monitor, at the movements of the “colourful oasis”: “Britannic now probably hosts much more life than she actually did when she was on duty.”