ANGMERING - West Coast

Angmering isn't your typical Irish wreck. At just 5 metres, it’s a brilliant way to spend an afternoon, especially when the weather decides to play nice. We love that you can do long dives here without worrying about deco, giving you ample time to really explore the ship. This old motor vessel, sunk back in '75, lies well broken up but still recognisable in sections. The bow and stern are the most interesting parts, with twisted metal and gaping holes that invite exploration. Keep an eye out for the resident conger eels tucked into the darker recesses – they’re quite common here. The main deck area is a jumble of collapsed plating, but there are always plenty of crabs scuttling about and tiny blennies peering from crevices. Visibility can be hit or miss, as it often is in Ireland, but on a good day, the light plays beautifully through the shallower parts of the wreck. It's a fantastic site for newer wreck divers or photographers wanting to practice their skills without the pressure of depth. Our top tip? Go at slack water for the easiest dive; the currents here can pick up, making it a bit of a push.

Location: West Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 53.236280, -9.106222
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 5m

Wreck History - ANGMERING

Year Sunk: 1975
Vessel Type: cargo ship
Cause: grounding
Tonnage: 1,599 GRT

The MV Angmering began her life in 1965 as the Rattray Head, a modern motor vessel built for the coastal trade. A product of the Clelands Shipbuilding Co. on the River Tyne, she was a versatile cargo carrier of 1,599 GRT. In 1973, she was sold to the Stephenson Clarke company and renamed Angmering, continuing her workhorse duties around the British Isles.

Her final voyage in January 1975 turned into a dramatic tale of survival against the odds. While transporting a cargo of coal from Ayr, Scotland, to Limerick, Ireland, the Angmering was caught in a furious Force 10 gale off the coast of County Mayo. The storm proved too much for the vessel, driving her onto the rocks at Rossan Point. As the ship began to break apart in the violent surf, the Arranmore lifeboat launched into the storm in a heroic and highly skilled rescue, saving all 13 crew members from the doomed vessel just before it broke in two and sank.

Lying in just 5 meters of water, the Angmering is a testament to the power of the Atlantic. The wreck is thoroughly broken up due to the violence of its sinking and its exposure to constant wave action. Despite this, it offers a compelling dive, with large sections of twisted steel and machinery creating an intricate habitat for a wealth of marine life. Its extreme shallow depth makes it a bright dive on a clear day, but also means it should only be approached in calm sea conditions.

Marine Protected Area: Inner Galway Bay

Best Time to Dive in West Coast

The warmest water temperatures in West Coast occur in January, averaging 8.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 8.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 8.9°C (air: 7.2°C)
February: 8.9°C (air: 8.0°C)
March: 8.9°C (air: 8.0°C)
April: 8.9°C (air: 9.8°C)
May: 8.9°C (air: 12.0°C)
June: 8.9°C (air: 14.2°C)
July: 8.9°C (air: 15.2°C)
August: 8.9°C (air: 15.9°C)
September: 8.9°C (air: 14.8°C)
October: 8.9°C (air: 12.4°C)
November: 8.9°C (air: 10.3°C)
December: 8.9°C (air: 8.1°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to ANGMERING

Dive Aran - SSI
Kilkee Dive Centre - SSI

Marine Life in West Coast

Home to 183 recorded species including 86 reef fish, 20 sharks & rays, 15 whales & dolphins, 12 other, 10 seagrass & algae, 8 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species

dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) - Reef Fish
hake (Merluccius merluccius) - Reef Fish
grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) - Reef Fish
whiting (Merlangius merlangus) - Reef Fish
Split (Scomber scombrus) - Reef Fish
megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) - Reef Fish
Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
Common dragonet (Callionymus lyra) - Reef Fish
poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) - Reef Fish
blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) - Reef Fish
Boarfish (Capros aper) - Reef Fish
Protestant (Clupea harengus) - Reef Fish
lesser argentine (Argentina sphyraena) - Reef Fish
Soldier (Chelidonichthys cuculus) - Reef Fish
Angler (Lophius piscatorius) - Reef Fish
dab (Limanda limanda) - Reef Fish
Cape Shark (Squalus acanthias) - Sharks & Rays
sprat (Sprattus sprattus) - Reef Fish
Bastard Sole (Microchirus variegatus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for ANGMERING

Based on average water temperature of 8.9°C.

Drysuit - water at 9°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