SCYLLA
CHAPTER FIVE
The Zenobia
Larnaca Offshore, Tuesday
Sun Divers had been operating in Cyprus for the past eight years, and in all that time, they had put hundreds of people through PADI diving courses. But the recession had bitten Sun Divers hard and whereas they used to make three or four trips out to the wrecks off the coast, they now just made one a week. And that was to the MS Zenobia; the roll-on-roll-off Swedish cargo ferry that had capsized on its maiden voyage on the third of June, 1980, with a full complement of cargo. Fortunately, all the crew got off safely and there were no casualties, but as the ship listed and salvage became impossible, the MS Zenobia sank into the waters off Larnaca on June 7th at 2:30am to take up its permanent position at 34’53.5” N, 33’39.1” to become one of the world’s most spectacular wrecks, still with its two hundred million pounds’ worth of cargo on board.
For Lenny Speagel and his wife Jenny, the MS Zenobia had become a bit like a second home. Both knew the vessel well, treated it with the greatest respect, and often reminded themselves of its track record of four diving deaths. Whilst most areas of the ship are safe and accessible, other parts can be deadly, as it is all too easy to get lost. Once that happens, the chances of finding your way back before the oxygen runs out are remote. Fortunately, none of the divers at Sun Divers had ever been in that position. Lenny liked to keep a tight ship.
As the boat made its way out from Larnaca, the six men and women began to kit-up with last-minute adjustments in preparation for their dive. Jenny was pleased with the group because they had all dived the wreck before, which meant that she too could go diving, and not babysit this time.
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