ON March 27, 2004, Whitsand Bay became the arena for one of the most spectacular pieces of maritime history in recent years as thousands of onlookers lined the cliffs and scores of vessels, ranging from canoes to catamarans, gathered to witness the creation of the UK's first-ever artificial reef - the sinking of the 113-metre long, 2,500 tonne vessel HMS Scylla. As the last frigate to be built at Devonport Royal Navy Dockyard, it was somehow fitting that the Exocet Leander class vessel HMS Scylla would end her days so close to the place where she was constructed.

From Day 1 the Scylla has been an unqualified success story as thousands of divers from all over the world have visited her and watched as she has changed from a sterile-looking piece of bare metal, to a reef in the true sense, brimming with spectacular marine life. Now, just a little over two-and-a-half years after her sinking, Plymouth's National Marine Aquarium last night launched their first-ever "Scylla Shots" Underwater Photography Competition with a presentation by marine photographer Paul Naylor. As a prelude to the contest, I took the opportunity earlier this week to see for myself how life was progressing on the vessel lying 23-metres down.

Since last I dived her some months ago, the Scylla has changed beyond recognition, the eerie light reflected from her former battleship grey colour has now gone - all but obliterated by the marine organisms which have encrusted her hull and decks, while her starboard side is covered with a spectacular display of red, white and orange plumose anemones. Fish life is well represented, shoaling fish such as pollock patrolling her companionways, while wrasse are frequently seen on the shallower superstructure. The last two winters have seen some expected changes to the Scylla as a collapsed hangar roof now allows shafts of natural light to penetrate the wreck. Far from detracting from the diving experience, it actually enhances things for the diver, giving the structure its own character and making Scylla more wreck-like in appearance. Although some way off from the colonisation of the nearby James Eagan Layne wreck, the Scylla offers endless photographic opportunities, and with literally thousands of divers visiting her since her sinking, the NMA is expecting a good response to the competition. Hannah Pritchard of the National Marine Aquarium said: "We are launching 'Scylla Shots' to celebrate the rich diversity of British marine life which now inhabits the popular diving wreck HMS Scylla. We're very excited about seeing all the amazing photographs that divers have taken over the last two years and more recently, and to see how the marine life has changed during that time." The "Scylla Shots" Underwater Photography Competition is open to any suitably qualified diver and runs throughout the summer with a closing date of August 21, 2006. For more information on the competition contact Emma Knapman on 01752 600301 or visit www.national-aquarium.co.uk