ANDERS MARTIN - North Sea Coast

The Anders Martin is one of those North Sea wrecks that just gets under your skin. We love it because it’s so completely colonised, a proper artificial reef brimming with life, sitting upright in about 21 metres. Dropping down, you start to make out the shape of the dredger, its superstructure still largely intact, though time and current have done their work. Visibility can be a bit of a gamble, but when it’s good, you’ll spend your whole dive circling the hull, peeking into the bridge area, and running your hand over the thick growth of dead man’s fingers that blanket the decks. Our favourite part has to be the sheer density of fish life; you’ll often find schools of pollock circling the mast, and the nooks and crannies are home to more ling and conger eels than you can count. It’s a proper expedition site, requiring good buoyancy and a healthy respect for North Sea conditions, but for experienced cold-water divers, it’s a brilliant dive, full of atmosphere and fish. Dive it when the wind has been settled for a few days – that’s when you get the best chance of decent vis.

Location
North Sea Coast, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
56.130417, 11.800917
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
21m

Wreck History - ANDERS MARTIN

Year Sunk
1983
Vessel Type
dredger
Cause
capsized

The Anders Martin was a modern dredger whose career came to an abrupt end on a fateful journey in the autumn of 1983. On October 20th, while on passage from Anholt Island to Frederikssund in Denmark, the vessel found itself in perilous conditions. Laden with a full cargo, the Anders Martin began to develop a severe list, a situation from which it could not recover. The 41-meter vessel quickly capsized and sank, settling on the North Sea floor.

Resting at a depth of 21 meters, the Anders Martin is a compelling dive for wreck enthusiasts. As a relatively recent wreck, its structure is largely intact, offering a clear and recognizable silhouette of a working dredger. Divers can explore its decks, superstructure, and the specialized equipment that now lies silent and still. Its "Dangerous Wreck" classification serves as a reminder of the potential hazards of penetration and entanglement, urging a cautious and respectful exploration.

Over the decades, the wreck has been colonized by marine life typical of the North Sea. Cold-water corals and anemones adorn its steel surfaces, while schools of cod and pollock often patrol its perimeter. Exploring the Anders Martin provides a direct connection to a modern maritime incident and a chance to witness how quickly nature reclaims what the sea has taken.

Marine Protected Area: Hesselø med omliggende stenrev

Best Time to Dive in North Sea Coast

The warmest water temperatures in North Sea Coast occur in January, averaging 4.6°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 4.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 4.6°C (air: 3.3°C)
  • February: 4.6°C (air: 3.6°C)
  • March: 4.6°C (air: 4.1°C)
  • April: 4.6°C (air: 6.7°C)
  • May: 4.6°C (air: 11.2°C)
  • June: 4.6°C (air: 15.4°C)
  • July: 4.6°C (air: 16.2°C)
  • August: 4.6°C (air: 16.7°C)
  • September: 4.6°C (air: 14.7°C)
  • October: 4.6°C (air: 10.8°C)
  • November: 4.6°C (air: 6.9°C)
  • December: 4.6°C (air: 3.3°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in North Sea Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to ANDERS MARTIN

Marine Life in North Sea Coast

Home to 105 recorded species including 55 reef fish, 9 crabs & lobsters, 8 other, 7 clams & mussels, 6 sea snails & nudibranchs, 5 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ANDERS MARTIN

Based on average water temperature of 4.6°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 5°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