BUESTEN - Cornwall & Devon

The *Buesten* is more than just a wreck; it’s a proper expedition dive, and we rate it highly for those with the right experience. Dropping onto her deck at 50 metres, you immediately feel the scale of this tanker, sunk by a bomb in 1941. We love exploring the huge engine room, an incredible space with machinery still largely intact, and the stern section where the prop shaft leads away into the gloom. The visibility here can be truly astounding on a good day, allowing you to appreciate the sheer length of the vessel stretching out before you. Look out for conger eels tucked into every crevice, and the vibrant jewel anemones that coat many of the exposed metal surfaces. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts who appreciate history and depth, not one for a quick splash. Plan your dive carefully; the currents can be playful, and that depth demands respect.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.352417, -3.404450
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
50m

Wreck History - BUESTEN

Year Sunk
1941
Vessel Type
tanker
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
5,186 GRT

The MV Buesten was a Norwegian motor tanker built in 1927. During World War II, as part of the Allied merchant navy, she played a crucial role in the Battle of the Atlantic, bravely ferrying vital fuel supplies across the U-boat-infested ocean. In the spring of 1941, the Buesten was on the final leg of a perilous journey from Baytown, Texas, to Southampton, her tanks filled with precious cargo. On April 9, 1941, while off the coast of Cornwall, her luck ran out. She was spotted by the German submarine U-107, which fired a single torpedo that struck the tanker, sealing her fate.

Lying at a depth of 50 meters, the Buesten is now a classic deep wreck dive for experienced and technically qualified divers. The wreck is a formidable sight, largely intact and sitting upright on the seabed. As a tanker, her most impressive features are located at the stern, where divers can explore the large, distinct superstructure and the powerful three-cylinder oil engine that once drove her. The depth means bottom time is limited and conditions can be challenging, but for those with the right training, the MV Buesten offers a haunting and unforgettable dive into the history of World War II.

Marine Protected Area: Berry Head to Sharkham Point

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 BUESTEN

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 BUESTEN

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