Also known as: Tapti, SS Tapti
Reaching the Tapti takes commitment — a 35-nautical-mile boat ride from Lochaline through some of Scotland's most scenic coastal waters — but those who make the journey find a wreck that rewards the effort handsomely. Built on the Clyde in 1945, this cargo motor vessel met her end in January 1953 when a storm drove her onto the rocks of Gunna Sound between Coll and Tiree. She broke into four distinct sections, and today the bow piece is the star of the show, lying on its port side and towering 15 metres off the seabed. Devonshire cup corals, soft corals and plumose anemones smother every surface, while the boiler, mast and winches remain clearly identifiable. The site is exposed and weather-dependent, giving it an adventurous quality that the more sheltered Mull wrecks lack.
Ran aground on Eileen Soa rocks in Gunna Sound during a storm, between the islands of Coll and Tiree. Broke into four sections.
MV Tapti is a cargo vessel wreck located off Argyll, United Kingdom at a depth of 25 metres. The vessel was lost due to grounding in 1953. The wreck is diveable.
MV Tapti lies at 9 to 25 metres depth, South of Soa Island, Gunna Sound, between Coll and Tiree.
MV Tapti ran aground on 17 January 1953, off Argyll, United Kingdom.
Diving the MV Tapti is rated intermediate and is suitable for divers with an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent. Minimum certification: PADI Open Water / BSAC Ocean Diver. Recommended: PADI AOWD / BSAC Sports Diver.
The best months to dive MV Tapti are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 7°C in winter to 14°C in summer.
MV Tapti is accessed by boat from Lochaline, Argyll, United Kingdom.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 7.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 7.5°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Apr | 8.5°C | 7.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting |
| May | 10.0°C | 8.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, anemones, soft corals |
| Jun | 11.5°C | 10.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, anemones, soft corals |
| Jul | 13.0°C | 13.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, plumose anemones |
| Aug | 14.0°C | 15.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, plumose anemones |
| Sep | 13.0°C | 12.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, anemones, soft corals |
| Oct | 11.0°C | 8.0m | marginal | Good — wrasse, pollock, anemones, soft corals |
| Nov | 9.0°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 8.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
2 evidence records from 2 sources.
Steel cargo motor vessel. Ran aground on Eileen Soa rocks in Gunna Sound, 17 January 1953. Broken into four parts. Bow section rises ~15m.
Encrusted with soft corals, Devonshire cup corals, plumose anemones. Boiler, mast and winches identifiable. ~35nm from Lochaline.
South of Soa Island, Gunna Sound, between Coll and Tiree