AEOLIAN SKY - Cornwall & Devon

The *Aeolian Sky* is one of those wrecks that just keeps giving. We’ve spent countless hours on her, and there’s always something new to catch our eye, even if it’s just a different angle of light hitting the bridge. She’s big, 149 metres long, and lies on her starboard side at 29 metres, broken into three distinct sections after her collision and subsequent sinking in 1979. Our favourite part is definitely the stern. The propellers are still there, massive and barnacle-encrusted, and the sheer scale of them really hits you as you descend. Inside, the engine room is a proper penetration dive, dark and silty, but worth it for the sense of being deep inside a piece of history. You’ll find conger eels lurking in every nook and cranny, and often see pollock darting through the superstructure. The bow section, though more collapsed, still offers some interesting swim-throughs, especially for divers comfortable navigating tight spaces. We’d suggest diving this one at slack tide – the currents here can be fierce, making for a challenging dive if you misjudge it. It’s a site for experienced wreck divers, no doubt, but incredibly rewarding for those who take the time to explore her properly.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.510130, -2.140217
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
29m

Wreck History - AEOLIAN SKY

Year Sunk
1979
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
collision
Tonnage
10,715 GRT

The Aeolian Sky had a remarkably short and dramatic life. This modern, 10,715-ton Greek-run freighter was built in 1978 and sank just over a year later. In the early hours of November 4th, 1979, while navigating dense fog in the English Channel on a voyage to Dar-es-Salaam, she collided with the German cargo ship Anna Knueppel. The collision tore a large gash in her bow, and a major rescue and salvage operation was immediately launched.

The crew was safely evacuated, and a tug attempted to tow the stricken vessel to the safety of Portland Harbour. However, the ship was battered by a storm, and with her diverse cargo shifting, the towline parted. The Aeolian Sky capsized and sank 12 miles off the coast of Dorset. Her cargo was notorious, including hazardous chemicals, Land Rovers, and over a million pounds' worth of Seychelles currency, which washed up on local beaches for years afterwards.

Lying on her port side at a maximum depth of 29 meters, the Aeolian Sky is now one of the most popular wrecks on the south coast. The 147-meter vessel is broken into sections, with the bow and stern remaining largely intact. Divers can explore the holds, see the remains of her cargo, and navigate the twisted superstructure. The wreck is a thriving artificial reef, home to conger eels, lobsters, and vast shoals of bib.

Marine Protected Area: Studland to Portland

Best Time to Dive in Cornwall & Devon

The warmest water temperatures in Cornwall & Devon occur in January, averaging 9.6°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 9.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 9.6°C (air: 7.3°C)
  • February: 9.6°C (air: 8.4°C)
  • March: 9.6°C (air: 8.6°C)
  • April: 9.6°C (air: 10.1°C)
  • May: 9.6°C (air: 12.6°C)
  • June: 9.6°C (air: 15.2°C)
  • July: 9.6°C (air: 16.6°C)
  • August: 9.6°C (air: 17.1°C)
  • September: 9.6°C (air: 15.9°C)
  • October: 9.6°C (air: 13.5°C)
  • November: 9.6°C (air: 10.7°C)
  • December: 9.6°C (air: 8.7°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Cornwall & Devon

Nearest Dive Centres to AEOLIAN SKY

Marine Life in Cornwall & Devon

Home to 192 recorded species including 93 reef fish, 18 sharks & rays, 13 whales & dolphins, 11 crabs & lobsters, 11 other, 10 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for AEOLIAN SKY

Based on average water temperature of 9.6°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 10°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