BLUE ANGEL - Cornwall & Devon

The Blue Angel, a trawler that went down in 1986, sits upright on the seabed at a comfortable 15 metres. It’s one of our favourite wreck dives in the area, not just because of its accessibility, but because it feels like a proper shipwreck. You can really get a sense of its working life here. We love dropping onto the stern and seeing the gantry still largely intact, the winches and wires providing shelter for schools of pollack. Look closely and you’ll find dead man’s fingers clinging to the steel, their white fronds waving gently in the surge. The wheelhouse is still there, though well-colonised now, and if you’re careful, you can peer inside the fish hold where the leak supposedly started. It’s a great dive for newer wreck enthusiasts; no tricky penetrations, but plenty to explore externally. Visibility can be hit or miss, typical of the UK, so pick a calm day with a neap tide for the best experience. Keep an eye out for dogfish tucked into the sand nearby, and conger eels peeking from beneath plates of rusted metal.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.417244, -3.479541
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
15m

Wreck History - BLUE ANGEL

Year Sunk
1986
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
foundered

The trawler Blue Angel ran into trouble on October 14, 1986, when she began taking on water in her fish tank. The crew was forced to abandon ship and a rescue attempt was mounted by the Belgian trawler 'Barentszee', which took the foundering vessel in tow.

Unfortunately, the rescue was not to be. While attempting to transfer the tow line to the more powerful tug 'Pendragon', the Blue Angel lost her battle with the sea and slipped beneath the waves. She now rests at a depth of 15 meters off the coast of Cornwall. This makes her an ideal wreck dive for newly certified divers or those looking for a relaxing exploration. The vessel is a classic example of a fishing trawler, and divers can explore her decks and superstructure, now home to a variety of local marine life.

Marine Protected Area: 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 BLUE ANGEL

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 BLUE ANGEL

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