BALTIC RESCUER - Tobago

The *Baltic Rescuer* sits bolt upright in just 7m of water off Tobago, making it a fantastic second dive or a long, leisurely exploration. We love how accessible she is, even for newer divers, but don’t mistake "easy" for "boring." This old tug, purposefully sunk, has become a proper home for marine life. You can swim right into the wheelhouse and engine room, feeling the cool water as you penetrate the structure. Light streams in through various openings, illuminating schools of snapper that dart through the corridors. Look closely in the darker corners for nurse sharks often tucked away, or moray eels peering out from pipes. The deck is carpeted in soft corals, swaying gently with the surge, and we always find something interesting, whether it’s a tiny nudibranch or a camouflaged scorpionfish. The shallow depth means you get incredible bottom time, so take it slow and really poke around.

Location
Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago, Caribbean
Coordinates
10.638783, -61.541416
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
7m

Wreck History - BALTIC RESCUER

Year Sunk
1993
Vessel Type
tugboat
Cause
scuttled
Tonnage
1,438 GRT

The Baltic Rescuer was a powerful ocean-going tugboat built in 1970. For over two decades, this 71-meter vessel served in the demanding world of marine salvage and long-distance towing. Its final documented voyage was in May 1993, when it departed Port Arthur, Texas, with the formidable task of towing two Victory ships, the SS Drake Victory and the Citadel Victory, all the way to China for scrapping.

After its working life, the Baltic Rescuer was acquired for a new purpose. Instead of being scrapped itself, it was prepared and intentionally sunk off the coast of Tobago to create an artificial reef. This practice gives old ships a new life, providing a solid structure for corals and sponges to colonize, which in turn attracts a diverse array of fish and other marine creatures, boosting the local underwater ecosystem.

Today, the Baltic Rescuer is one of Tobago's premier shallow-water wreck dives. Lying upright in just 7 meters of water, its deck is so shallow it's almost a snorkeler's paradise. The entire vessel is accessible to divers of all levels, from beginners on their first wreck dive to experienced photographers seeking vibrant marine life. The tug's large structure is now completely encrusted in colorful sponges and corals, and its open wheelhouse and deck spaces are home to schools of snapper, grunts, and the occasional moray eel.

Best Time to Dive in Tobago

The warmest water temperatures in Tobago occur in January, averaging 28.1°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.1°C (air: 24.4°C)
  • February: 28.1°C (air: 24.3°C)
  • March: 28.1°C (air: 24.6°C)
  • April: 28.1°C (air: 25.1°C)
  • May: 28.1°C (air: 25.6°C)
  • June: 28.1°C (air: 25.4°C)
  • July: 28.1°C (air: 25.4°C)
  • August: 28.1°C (air: 25.8°C)
  • September: 28.1°C (air: 26.5°C)
  • October: 28.1°C (air: 26.1°C)
  • November: 28.1°C (air: 25.3°C)
  • December: 28.1°C (air: 24.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Tobago

Nearest Dive Centres to BALTIC RESCUER

Marine Life in Tobago

Home to 344 recorded species including 323 reef fish, 5 other, 4 whales & dolphins, 4 sharks & rays, 2 hard corals, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for BALTIC RESCUER

Based on average water temperature of 28.1°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories