CHASSEUR 7 - Cornwall & Devon

The Chasseur 7, a French submarine chaser sunk by German E-boats in 1942, sits upright at 40 metres. You’ll hit the deck around 36 metres, where the light starts to fade, giving the whole site a real sense of history. She’s not massive, just under 37 metres long, but what she lacks in size she makes up for in character. We love the way she’s mostly intact, a proper ship shape, not just a pile of twisted metal. Dropping down onto the deck, you’ll see the bow gun still in place, pointing forward, a silent testament to her last moments. We’ve found conger eels tucked into every dark corner and the occasional lobster peering out from under plating. Visibility here can be a bit of a gamble, often around 5 to 10 metres, so bringing a good torch is non-negotiable – it really helps to pick out the details and the deeper colours of the encrusting anemones and jewel anemonies that carpet the wreck. She’s a dive for experienced deep divers, definitely, given the depth and potential for currents. Our favourite part has to be exploring the stern, where the prop shaft is still visible, often surrounded by a swirling cloud of pouting. It’s a proper dive into wartime history.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.424763, -2.081486
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
40m

Marine Protected Area: South Dorset

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 CHASSEUR 7

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 CHASSEUR 7

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