ANDRIOS - North Sea Coast

The *Andrios* is a proper North Sea wreck, a stark reminder of the wild conditions here. We always feel a chill descending onto her, even on a calm day. Sunk back in '54, she sits upright in 30 metres, mostly intact, though time and current have done their work on the superstructure. You can penetrate the hold if you’re comfortable in overhead environments, and we’d recommend doing so for a true sense of scale. Sunlight filters down, creating an eerie glow inside, illuminating the schools of cod and pollock that often shelter there. Outside, conger eels peer from every crevice, and the deck is carpeted in anemones and dead man’s fingers. Visibility can swing dramatically, so pick your day carefully; a slack tide and good weather window make all the difference here. It’s a site for experienced wreck divers who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a current. We think it’s one of the best examples of a genuinely atmospheric wreck dive in the Danish North Sea.

Location
North Sea Coast, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
55.149334, 6.957000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
30m

Wreck History - ANDRIOS

Year Sunk
1954
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
storm
Tonnage
7,176 GRT

The SS ANDRIOS was a Greek-flagged steamship that navigated the world's oceans in the mid-20th century. Like countless other merchant vessels, her story is one of routine cargo runs punctuated by the constant challenge of unpredictable weather. Her final chapter was written in the notoriously harsh and unforgiving North Sea, a body of water known for testing the mettle of any ship and its crew.

In late February of 1954, the ANDRIOS found itself caught in a violent storm while sailing off the Danish coast. Battered by immense waves and hurricane-force winds, the ship's hull was breached and she began to take on water faster than the pumps could handle. An SOS was sent, and in a remarkable feat of seamanship, the entire 32-person crew was rescued by a German trawler before the ANDRIOS succumbed to the sea and slipped beneath the waves.

Resting at a depth of 30 meters, the ANDRIOS is a classic North Sea wreck dive. The cold, nutrient-rich waters mean the wreck is often covered in a dense carpet of marine growth, including anemones and dead man's fingers. Visibility can be variable, but on a clear day, the ship's large structure is an impressive sight. Divers can expect to encounter large schools of cod and pollock that have made the wreck their home. Classified as a 'non-dangerous wreck', it offers a fantastic and relatively safe opportunity for experienced divers to explore a substantial mid-century cargo ship.

Marine Protected Area: A

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 ANDRIOS

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 ANDRIOS

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