AUCKLAND H 287 - North Sea Coast

The *Auckland H 287* isn’t just another lump of metal on the seabed. This trawler, lost in 1944, sits upright and largely intact at 22 metres, making it one of our favourite North Sea wrecks for atmosphere alone. You can almost feel the history clinging to its steel plates. We particularly love poking around the bow, where the deck structures are still quite defined, offering plenty of nooks for conger eels to hide. What really sells the *Auckland* for us is the way the wreck has become a home. The hull is absolutely coated in plumose anemones, their feathery white tentacles swaying gently in the current, creating a stark contrast against the dark steel. Keep an eye out for inquisitive cod, they’re often found patrolling the decks, and the occasional ling peeking from deeper recesses. It’s a proper wreck dive for those who appreciate history and the way nature reclaims man-made structures. You’ll want decent buoyancy control to navigate the interior spaces safely, and a good torch is essential to bring out the detail in the anemone colonies.

Location
North Sea Coast, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
56.214333, 12.152166
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
22m

Wreck History - AUCKLAND H 287

Year Sunk
1944
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
unknown

The Auckland (H 287) was a British fishing trawler lost to the perils of the Second World War. On February 15, 1944, she vanished while operating in the heavily militarised North Sea. Her exact cause of sinking remains unconfirmed, but as a small civilian vessel in a major conflict zone, she was exceptionally vulnerable. She may have struck a mine from one of the vast defensive minefields, been the victim of an enemy air attack, or simply succumbed to the harsh winter weather while navigating blacked-out waters. Whatever the cause, she became another silent victim of the war at sea.

Today, the wreck lies at a depth of 22 metres off the coast of Denmark. It is a sombre site, classified as a 'Dangerous Wreck', requiring divers to be cautious of entanglement hazards from old nets and sharp, corroded metal. The dive provides a poignant connection to the fishermen who risked, and often lost, their lives to feed a nation at war. Exploring the scattered remains of this humble vessel offers a different perspective on the conflict, reminding us of the immense price paid by civilians.

Marine Protected Area: Gilleleje Flak og Tragten

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 AUCKLAND H 287

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 AUCKLAND H 287

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