KARIN AS-14 - North Sea Coast

The Karin AS-14 is a peculiar dive, sitting just 15 metres down off the North Sea coast. We love a shallow wreck, especially when it's as intact as this one. Sunk in '88, it’s a relatively new addition to the seabed, but the North Sea wastes no time in making things feel ancient. You'll find it mostly upright, a ghostly outline against the green murk, and that's precisely its charm. Head down, and you're immediately struck by the sheer volume of life that's made this boat home. We've seen schools of juvenile cod so dense you could barely see the wreck itself, swirling around the bridge structure. Conger eels poke their heads from every pipe and crevice, their eyes tracking your movements. The hold is surprisingly accessible, a dark maw where light struggles to penetrate, making your torch beam essential for spotting the wrasse and blennies that dart between the frames. It’s a dive that rewards slow exploration and a keen eye for the smaller details rather than grand vistas. We'd suggest going on a slack tide for the best visibility, as the currents here can really kick up the silt. It’s definitely one for the wreck lovers who appreciate a bit of history and a lot of fish, even if the visibility can be a bit challenging at times.

Location: North Sea Coast, Denmark, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 56.536167, 11.273833
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 15m

Marine Protected Area: Anholt og havet nord for

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to KARIN AS-14

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

dab (Limanda limanda) - Reef Fish
Protestant (Clupea harengus) - Reef Fish
Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) - Reef Fish
whiting (Merlangius merlangus) - Reef Fish
Ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) - Clams & Mussels
Fluke (Platichthys flesus) - Reef Fish
Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) - Clams & Mussels
sprat (Sprattus sprattus) - Reef Fish
Common cockle (Cerastoderma edule) - Clams & Mussels
bull rout (Myoxocephalus scorpius) - Reef Fish
Sea potato (Echinocardium cordatum) - Sea Urchins
Sand mason (Lanice conchilega) - Worms
eel (Anguilla anguilla) - Reef Fish
Edible periwinkle (Littorina littorea) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Common sea star (Asterias rubens) - Starfish
long rough dab (Hippoglossoides platessoides) - Reef Fish
Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
Common shore crab (Carcinus maenas) - Crabs & Lobsters
New Zealand Mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Common dragonet (Callionymus lyra) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for KARIN AS-14

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