wreck

Log This Dive

PERE CHARLES

The Pere Charles, a twin-rig trawler that went down in a Force 7 gale back in 2007, sits upright and largely intact on the seabed at 27 metres. We love that you can still feel the story here, picturing the crew fighting that storm. Dropping down, you’ll first make out the wheelhouse, often wreathed in shadows from the stern mast. It's a proper playground for torch beams, poking into the open hatches and exploring the trawl deck. Our favourite part has to be the stern, where the twin-rigging gear remains, a jumble of winches and cables that have become home to some surprisingly bold conger eels. We’ve seen them peering out from every nook, alongside lobsters and edible crabs tucked into the deeper recesses. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is on the South Coast, but on a good day, the light penetrating the superstructure gives the whole wreck an eerie, atmospheric glow. This site is a fantastic dive for anyone keen on wreck penetration and getting up close with coastal Irish marine life; just be sure to check the forecast for swell before heading out.