wreck

Log This Dive

LOUISE MARLENE

The Louise Marlene is one of our favourite wreck dives on the Cape Peninsula, a real character of a site. She was a fishing trawler, built in the Netherlands in the early 60s, and went down in heavy seas in '78 after her pilchard cargo likely shifted. The crew all got off safely, which we always appreciate in a good wreck story. She sits upright in about 24 metres, mostly intact, though the stern's seen better days. We love dropping down onto the wheelhouse, often finding a shy octopus tucked into a corner, or big schools of hottentot darting between the broken plating. There are often some chunky roman and red stumpnose patrolling the deeper sections of the deck. The sand around her often yields some interesting macro life too, if you take the time to look – we've spotted pipefish and nudibranchs here. It's a solid dive for advanced open water divers who appreciate a bit of history and don't mind a bit of a current if the conditions aren't perfect. We’d suggest going on a calmer day; it makes exploring the holds much more enjoyable.