NBM Dive Site Resource
SM UB-116 — Scapa Flow remains
Flotta / Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom
UB-116’s remains are still dived near Flotta, despite extensive salvage and dispersal. The wreck is represented by broken machinery and hull material rather than an intact U-boat.
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Featured Hero Photograph
Aquatic life at this dive site
What divers may encounter
Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Site media
Photographs
Three views rotate from the published gallery on each visit.
Contributor media
Dive videos
Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.Regional location and nearby land
Location map
Regional coastline view includes nearby land. No exact wreck or navigation position is inferred from historical loss reports.Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Recent field observations
Diver-reported temperatures
Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.
Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.
Why divers know this place
Highlights
UB-116’s remains are still dived near Flotta, despite extensive salvage and dispersal. The wreck is represented by broken machinery and hull material rather than an intact U-boat.
Shipwreck-only module
The wreck
This section appears only on shipwreck records and brings the vessel, its loss, present condition, access, and responsible wreck-diving considerations into one place.
- Vessel type
- German World War I Type UB III submarine
- Year built
- 1917 (launched)
- Year sunk
- 1918
- Cause of loss
- Lost at the Hoxa entrance to Scapa Flow on 28 October 1918 after triggering the defended mine system; later clearance and a 1969 explosion dispersed the wreck.
- Present condition
- Very broken and dispersed hull, machinery and conning-tower remains after salvage and the 1969 explosion.
- Penetration guidance
- External historical context only; no authorization for penetration, recovery or disturbance.
Before you arrive
Access notes
MV Invincible’s dive-site account gives 25–27 m. The remains lie within the Scapa Flow Historic Marine Protected Area; check Orkney harbour permissions and current heritage rules. No disturbance or recovery is authorized by this listing. This record documents a wreck and its research history. It does not establish public charter availability or permission to visit. Confirm access with the responsible authorities and qualified local support; respect the site’s naval-heritage context.
Plan within your training
Conditions and hazards
Weather, currents and tidal access, depth and decompression exposure where applicable, low or changing visibility, entanglement, unstable or damaged metal and possible ordnance. Do not disturb remains or remove objects.
Independent resource notice
This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.