wreck

Log This Dive

JACK BUCHAN

The Jack Buchan, just off Dunmore East, is one of those wrecks that truly tells a story. We’re not talking about some pristine vessel sitting upright. This wooden fishing boat, lost in 1958 to a rogue wave, is scattered across the rocky seabed at a shallow seven metres. You’re diving history, but it’s history broken into dramatic pieces. Our favourite way to dive it is on a calm day, when the sun can actually penetrate the kelp forest that now calls the wreck home. You’ll weave through ribs and timbers, imagining the old boat’s structure before the sea claimed it. There are often wrasse darting between the planks and we’ve seen some surprisingly large conger eels tucked into crevices. It’s not a huge wreck, so you get to spend your time really poking around, observing how nature has reclaimed every surface. It’s brilliant for photographers who love macro subjects or anyone who enjoys a dive where you can truly take your time and explore without worrying about depth. Just keep an eye on the tides; even at seven metres, current can pick up quickly here.