ANGELENA BM 271 - Cornwall & Devon

The Angelena BM 271, a fishing vessel, sits upright at 27 metres, an inviting dive if you enjoy proper wreck penetration. We love how intact she is, especially the wheelhouse, which feels like the crew just stepped away. Exploring the engine room is a highlight, but be mindful of silt. The wreck itself is a magnet for life. We’ve seen conger eels poking out from crevices, their heads thick as your arm, and lobsters clambering over growth. Look closely for nudibranchs, often clinging to the rust. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts keen on a bit of a challenge and the thrill of discovery. We’d suggest diving this one on a slack tide; the currents here can really rip.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.542366, -3.249383
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
27m

Wreck History - ANGELENA BM 271

Year Sunk
1993
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
fire

The Angelena BM 271 was a 23-meter beam trawler registered in the historic fishing port of Brixham, Devon. She was a workhorse of the English Channel fishing fleet, spending her days battling the elements to bring in the catch that supplied local communities and markets.

In 1993, the Angelena's working life came to an abrupt end. A severe fire broke out on board, proving too much for the crew to handle. After the crew were safely rescued, the vessel was engulfed by the blaze and eventually sank beneath the waves, coming to rest on the seabed.

Now sitting perfectly upright in 27 meters of water, the Angelena is a premier wreck dive in the region. The wreck is largely intact and offers fantastic exploration opportunities. Divers can swim around the wheelhouse, the deck, and the trawling gear on the stern. Over the years, she has transformed into a magnificent artificial reef, attracting an incredible amount of marine life. It is renowned for the huge shoals of bib and pollack that swarm its superstructure, and is a favourite home for large conger eels, lobsters, and crabs, making every dive a new discovery.

Marine Protected Area: Lyme Bay and Torbay

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 ANGELENA BM 271

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 ANGELENA BM 271

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