ATHINA B - Cornwall & Devon

The Athina B is a proper Cornish legend, albeit a relatively young one. She ran aground in 1980 after a rough run-in with a storm, and the wreck of this 89-metre motor vessel now lies scattered off the coast, creating a fantastic playground for divers. We actually prefer her broken state; it means you get distinct sections to explore rather than just one big hull. You’ll find her bow section standing quite proud, often shrouded in a hazy green light that’s typical of the English Channel. It’s got a wonderfully eerie feel. Keep an eye out for conger eels tucked into every crevice, sometimes surprisingly large ones. Further along, the midships and stern are more flattened, but this has allowed kelp and anemones to really take hold. The colours here, especially on a bright day, are quite vivid, with purples and oranges against the dark steel. We always recommend timing your dive for slack water; the currents here can be a bit frisky, making it a much more enjoyable experience when they calm down. The Athina B really suits divers who appreciate a wreck with a story, offering plenty of nooks and crannies for investigation and a surprising amount of invertebrate life.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.817806, -0.130999
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Wreck History - ATHINA B

Year Sunk
1980
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
Tonnage
3,452 GRT

The story of the Athina B is one of modern maritime drama that unfolded in full view of the public. In January 1980, the Greek cargo ship was bound for Shoreham with a load of pumice when her engines failed in a fierce storm. For twelve agonizing hours, she drifted helplessly, dragging her anchor as rescue attempts were thwarted by the terrible weather. The captain ultimately made the decision to beach the vessel to save his crew.

On January 21, the Athina B came to rest on Brighton Beach, just east of the Palace Pier. She immediately became a massive tourist attraction, drawing such large crowds that the historic Volk's Electric Railway had to open out of season to manage the sightseers. The ship remained a local landmark for a month before being refloated and towed away to be scrapped.

Although the wreck itself is long gone, its legacy endures. The ship's huge anchor was preserved and is now mounted on the Brighton seafront as a monument to the dramatic event. While you can no longer dive the vessel, a visit to the site allows you to stand where the ship once lay and see the very anchor that fought and lost its battle with the storm.

Marine Protected Area: Brighton to Newhaven Cliffs

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 ATHINA B

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 ATHINA B

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