B AND R-HM2 - North Sea Coast

The B AND R-HM2 isn't your typical North Sea wreck. For starters, it’s basically in the shallows, making it surprisingly accessible, though often overlooked. This old barge ran aground near Nymindegab back in '71, and time has taken its toll, breaking it into a few distinct sections. We love diving it on a calm, sunny day when the light penetrates the green water, illuminating the twisted metal and creating an eerie, almost art-like scene. You'll find surprisingly large cod often lurking in the nooks and crannies, alongside crabs scuttling over the barnacle-encrusted hull. The low depth means bottom times are generous, allowing you to really pick through the scattered debris. Our favourite part is navigating the fragmented sections, imagining the gale that brought her down. It's a site that rewards patience and a keen eye, perfect for photographers or anyone who appreciates the stark beauty of a shallow, broken wreck. Just be mindful of currents; even in the shallows, the North Sea can be fickle.

Location
North Sea Coast, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
55.932667, 8.032000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Wreck History - B AND R-HM2

Year Sunk
1971
Vessel Type
barge
Cause
storm

The B AND R-HM2 was a barge owned by the American engineering firm Brown & Root. In October 1971, while under tow in the notoriously rough North Sea, the vessel broke free during a severe gale. Powerless against the storm, the massive barge drifted until it was unceremoniously thrown ashore near Nymindegab on the west coast of Denmark's Jutland peninsula.

Resting at a depth of zero meters, the B AND R-HM2 is not a dive site but a coastal landmark. The wreck lies stranded on the beach, its rusting steel hull slowly being consumed by the relentless waves and wind. It serves as a stark and photogenic reminder of the power of the North Sea. For visitors to the Danish coast, its skeletal remains offer a dramatic point of interest, particularly as the tides and shifting sands continually change how much of the wreck is visible.

Marine Protected Area: Ringkøbing Fjord vildtreservat

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 B AND R-HM2

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 B AND R-HM2

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