D i v e E x p l o r e r

Over the course of three days in the Westfjords, I participated in an expedition to repair a research submarine at the University Centre of the Westfjords and a diving mission to investigate a shipwreck in Önundarfjörður.

The wreck’s identity remains uncertain, but it has been given the working name „Ída.“ Believed to be a 30-meter wooden vessel, Ída either sank or was deliberately scuttled near an old whaling station, just off the coast, around the turn of the 20th century.

While the wreck itself is not particularly remarkable, old whale bones can be seen nearby, possibly predating the wreck or having been part of the ship’s cargo. Its shallow depth and easy shore access make it a convenient and practical site for training dives.

During my dive—lasting 67 minutes at a maximum depth of 7.6 meters in +7°C water—I captured approximately 3,000 photographs. These images were later processed over three days to produce a detailed 3D photogrammetry model of the wreck. Despite challenging underwater conditions and limited visibility around the site, the model turned out well, though there’s still room for improvement.

Edited 3D photogrammatry can be found here on Sketchfab.

The ROV repair went relatively smoothly. After thorough troubleshooting and diagnostics, we have likely identified the fault. However, a live dive test will be needed to confirm the success of the repair under real-world conditions.

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