wreck

Log This Dive

INGRID LEONHARDT

Ingrid Leonhardt isn’t about colourful reefs; it’s about history, cold water, and the way the North Sea reclaims its own. This German freighter, scuttled by a mine just before the war’s end, lies broken but surprisingly intact at 17 metres. We love how the bow points defiantly upwards, almost inviting you to peer into its dark holds, while the stern lies more jumbled, a collection of twisted metal and shadows. The ship's superstructure is mostly gone, but we still find ourselves drawn to the massive cargo cranes, now draped in dead man's fingers and anemones. Visibility here can be a game of chance, but on a good day, the sheer scale of the wreck emerges from the green gloom, revealing its secrets. Expect to share the decks with schools of cod and pollock, sometimes lurking so close you can almost touch them, alongside the occasional crab scuttling into a crevice. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the quiet, reflective nature of wreck diving, a tangible connection to a moment in time, rather than a parade of vibrant colours. Dive this on a slack tide, if you can, to really take your time exploring the deeper sections.