BREMER WESTEN - Bornholm

Bornholm diving usually means the dramatic granite reefs, but Bremer Westen? She’s the star of the show if you’re into proper wreck diving. Sunk in ’75, this 83-metre cargo vessel sits upright on the seabed at 59m, completely intact. We love her because she’s substantial, a proper beast of a ship, not just a pile of plates. Dropping down, the bridge is often the first thing to emerge from the deep blue, eerily preserved. The cargo holds are open, inviting exploration, and you can swim through various sections. Visibility can be excellent, though it’s a deep dive, so bring your lights – you’ll want to pick out the details. Look for the massive propeller, it’s still there, begging for a photo. Ling and cod lurk in the shadows, and we’ve seen some surprisingly large conger eels making homes in her nooks and crannies. This isn't a beginner's dive, obviously, but for experienced technical divers, Bremer Westen is one of our favourite Baltic wrecks. Plan your deco carefully, and you’ll be rewarded.

Location
Bornholm, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
55.250000, 15.500000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
59m

Wreck History - BREMER WESTEN

Year Sunk
1975
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

The MV Bremer Westen was a modern German motor vessel built in 1962. For over a decade, it served its owners, the Bruno Bischoff Reederei, plying the trade routes of the Baltic and Northern Europe. In July 1975, the ship was on a routine passage from its home port of Bremen, Germany, to Klaipėda in what was then Soviet Lithuania. It was a standard voyage that the ship and its crew had likely made many times before, but this one would be its last.

While navigating the cold waters of the Baltic Sea near the Danish island of Bornholm, the Bremer Westen ran into fatal trouble. The available records are incomplete, but it is believed the vessel began taking on water or developed a severe and uncorrectable list. Despite the crew's efforts, the ship foundered and sank on July 27, 1975, settling on the dark seabed and becoming another addition to the Baltic's vast underwater museum.

Today, the Bremer Westen is a premier technical wreck dive, resting upright at a challenging depth of 59 meters. The cold, low-salinity water of the Baltic has preserved the ship in remarkable condition, making it appear as if it could set sail at any moment. This dive is strictly for experienced, certified technical divers with the proper training and equipment for deep, cold-water decompression diving. Those who make the descent are rewarded with the sight of a perfectly preserved time capsule from the 1970s.

Marine Protected Area: M - Strict

Best Time to Dive in Bornholm

The warmest water temperatures in Bornholm occur in January, averaging 3.3°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 3.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 3.3°C (air: 3.1°C)
  • February: 3.3°C (air: 3.2°C)
  • March: 3.3°C (air: 3.9°C)
  • April: 3.3°C (air: 6.0°C)
  • May: 3.3°C (air: 10.9°C)
  • June: 3.3°C (air: 16.1°C)
  • July: 3.3°C (air: 17.4°C)
  • August: 3.3°C (air: 18.0°C)
  • September: 3.3°C (air: 15.7°C)
  • October: 3.3°C (air: 11.5°C)
  • November: 3.3°C (air: 7.1°C)
  • December: 3.3°C (air: 3.5°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Bornholm

Nearest Dive Centres to BREMER WESTEN

Marine Life in Bornholm

Home to 67 recorded species including 43 reef fish, 7 clams & mussels, 5 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 crabs & lobsters, 2 starfish, 2 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for BREMER WESTEN

Based on average water temperature of 3.3°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 3°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical diving depths at Bremer Bay dive sites, including the Bremer Canyon, and are there options for shallow dives?
Information regarding typical diving depths at Bremer Bay dive sites, including the Bremer Canyon, is not available in the provided data. The context describes the 'BREMER WESTEN' wreck site off Bornholm, Denmark, which has a depth of 59m and is an intermediate difficulty wreck dive.
What kind of unique marine life and underwater topography can divers expect to see when exploring the dive sites around Bremer Bay, especially regarding seadragons and orcas?
Details on unique marine life and underwater topography, such as seadragons and orcas, at Bremer Bay dive sites are not provided in the given data. The available information pertains to the 'BREMER WESTEN' wreck, a motor vessel sunk in 1975 off Bornholm, Denmark, which is classified as a non-dangerous wreck.
How challenging are the dive conditions and sites in Bremer Bay, and are there suitable options for beginner or less experienced divers?
The provided data does not contain information about the challenging dive conditions or suitability for beginners at Bremer Bay. However, the 'BREMER WESTEN' wreck site off Bornholm, Denmark, is classified as an intermediate difficulty dive, with a depth of 59m.
What is the best time of year to dive in Bremer Bay for optimal visibility, water temperature, and encounters with specific marine animals like orcas or leafy seadragons?
The best time of year to dive in Bremer Bay for optimal visibility, water temperature, or encounters with specific marine animals like orcas or leafy seadragons is not detailed in the provided context. The data focuses on the 'BREMER WESTEN' wreck, located in the Baltic Sea off Bornholm, Denmark. For general advice on dive timing, you can visit When to Dive.
What scuba diving certifications are required or highly recommended for participating in dives at Bremer Bay, particularly for deeper or more advanced sites?
Information regarding required or recommended scuba diving certifications for Bremer Bay, especially for deeper or more advanced sites, is not available in the provided data. The 'BREMER WESTEN' wreck site off Bornholm, Denmark, is an intermediate difficulty dive at 59m, which typically suggests advanced certifications for safe exploration.
What are the prevailing currents, visibility, and general water conditions that divers should be aware of when planning a dive trip to Bremer Bay?
Details on prevailing currents, visibility, and general water conditions for Bremer Bay are not present in the provided context. The data describes the 'BREMER WESTEN' wreck, a motor vessel that sank in the Baltic Sea off Bornholm, Denmark, after developing a list in heavy weather.