wreck

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KNUT WILLEMUS (?KNUD VILLEMOES)

The Knud Villemoes, a cargo vessel that met its end in 1941, is a real favourite of ours on the North Sea coast. At 16 metres, she’s a comfortable depth for extended bottom times, and the wreck herself has developed some serious character over the decades. We love how the hull has softened with sponges and anemones, creating these little nooks and crannies for crabs and small fish. You’ll find cod sheltering in the deeper holds, and often schools of saithe darting around the superstructure. What makes her special is the intact bow section. It’s still quite recognisable, giving you a clear sense of the ship’s original form. The stern, while more broken, offers plenty of penetration points for those with the right training and gear – just be mindful of entanglement. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is in the North Sea. We'd suggest aiming for slack tide, and checking local reports for settled weather. On a good day, with 5-10 metres, she’s a truly atmospheric dive, a proper piece of history brought to life by the marine growth.