wreck

Log This Dive

NEPTUN N85

The North Sea usually brings to mind cold, dark dives, but the Neptun N85 offers something really special. This old fishing trawler, sunk by a mine in 1944, lies upright and mostly intact in a relatively shallow 15 metres. We love how the historical context really adds to the atmosphere here; you’re not just exploring a wreck, you’re touching a piece of wartime history. Visibility can be temperamental, as is typical for the North Sea, but when it’s good, the N85 is magnificent. The wheelhouse is still largely there, as are parts of the stern and bow. We’ve seen huge shoals of cod hanging in the superstructure, and the deck often has flatfish camouflaged against the sand. Look closely for crabs and small gobies tucked into every crevice. Our pick for visiting is late summer, when the water is at its warmest, and aim for a slack tide to really enjoy cruising around the decks. It’s a dive that suits divers comfortable in low visibility and with a keen eye for detail.