BULK CARRIER - Bornholm

The Bulk Carrier off Bornholm is one of those wrecks that just gets under your skin. We love how she sits upright and complete at a very manageable 16 meters, making her accessible to most divers. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer scale – 84 meters long, with her bow pointing east, she’s a proper ship, not just a pile of rubble. The visibility here can be surprisingly good, especially on a calm day, letting you take in the silhouette from a distance before you get close. Our favourite part is the engine room access, though it’s a tight squeeze and definitely not for everyone. If you’re comfortable, though, the exposed machinery inside is fascinating. Otherwise, exploring the deck is fantastic. We’ve seen huge shoals of cod hanging out in the cargo holds and around the mast, plus plenty of blennies darting in and out of the plating. It’s a proper penetration wreck for the experienced, but equally rewarding for those who prefer to stay on the outside, appreciating the history and the life that now thrives on her steel bones.

Location
Bornholm, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
54.379450, 16.238817
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
16m

Wreck History - BULK CARRIER

Year Sunk
1980
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

Bulk carriers are the titans of the sea, designed to transport vast quantities of unpackaged cargo like grain, coal, or ore across the globe. Built in 1964 at the Angyafold Shipyard in Budapest, this particular bulk carrier served for 16 years as one of these essential workhorses of global trade. In October 1980, she was on a routine passage from Gdansk, Poland, to Brest, France, laden with her cargo.

Her final voyage took a dramatic turn in the Baltic Sea. The crew reported severe leakages in the hold, a critical situation for any vessel. Before a rescue could be mounted or the ship could make for a safe harbor, she sank suddenly on October 11th, settling on the seabed off the Danish island of Bornholm. Today, she rests in just 16 meters of water, making her an incredibly accessible wreck for divers of all levels. Exploring her large deck and superstructure provides a tangible connection to the immense scale of maritime commerce and the ever-present dangers faced by seafarers.

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 BULK CARRIER

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 BULK CARRIER

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