BANGJOO NO.12
Protected Area
세존도
Why dive here
With 113+ marine species recorded in the area - including great white sharks, hammerhead sharks, mobula rays (devil rays), octopuses and sea turtles - BANGJOO NO.12 offers some of Jeju Island's richest wreck diving.
Bangjoo No. 12 isn't one of those wrecks that's instantly photogenic from every angle, but we’ve always found it a compelling dive. The old fishing vessel went down after a collision in 1991, and now rests upright at 26 metres, a proper steel skeleton. What we love about it is how the local marine life has completely taken over. Drop down and you're immediately into this ghostly, industrial landscape, softened by years of growth. Nudibranchs crawl all over the encrusted hull, vibrant against the dark metal. We’ve spotted big schools of juvenile snapper darting through the superstructure, a silvery, shimmering cloud, and the occasional grumpy-looking scorpionfish tucked away in a shadowy corner. Inside, if you're comfortable with a bit of penetration, the wheelhouse offers a tight squeeze, but it’s worth it to imagine the ship's final moments. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and how nature reclaims its own, rather than a showstopper reef.
Typical BANGJOO NO.12 Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 26m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
BANGJOO NO.12 Wreck History
Year Sunk
1991
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
collision
The Bangjoo No. 12 is a relatively modern wreck with a dramatic story. On October 19, 1991, the South Korean fishing vessel was operating northeast of Jeju Island when it collided with the much larger motor tanker, MT Ervilia. The impact was catastrophic for the smaller vessel, and it sank shortly after the incident. In a fortunate turn of events, the entire 12-person crew of the Bangjoo No. 12 was safely rescued, leaving the ship to begin its new life on the seabed.
Resting at a depth of 26 meters, the Bangjoo No. 12 is an excellent wreck dive for advanced open water divers. As a fishing vessel, the wreck is a complex structure of masts, winches, and rigging, which can present entanglement hazards, earning it a classification as a "dangerous wreck." For well-prepared divers, however, these same features make for a fascinating exploration. Over the decades, it has transformed into a vibrant artificial reef, attracting the rich marine life that Jeju Island is famous for, including a variety of soft corals, nudibranchs, and dense schools of fish that now call its superstructure home.
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