EMPIRE PORTIA (POSSIBLY)
Protected Area
Offshore Overfalls
Why dive here
With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - EMPIRE PORTIA (POSSIBLY) offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
Dropping onto the EMPIRE PORTIA, or what we believe is her, at 40 metres off the Cornwall coast, you’re looking at a substantial steamship, a piece of wartime history swallowed by the Channel. She was torpedoed in '44, likely by U-988, and her structure is largely intact, though time and tide have taken their toll. We've spent dives exploring the main decks, finding parts of the superstructure still recognisable, providing cover for conger eels, and the odd lobster tucked deep inside. It’s a proper deep wreck dive, really, one for those comfortable with depth and limited visibility, but the rewards are in the atmosphere and the sheer scale of the wreck.
Typical EMPIRE PORTIA (POSSIBLY) Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Deep dive (40m) - monitor air consumption closely. Advanced certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to EMPIRE PORTIA (POSSIBLY)
Dive shops near EMPIRE PORTIA (POSSIBLY)
Sussex Diving & Leisure
Mulberry Marine Experiences CIC
Abyss Scuba School
Ocean View
In2 Diving
Reviews for EMPIRE PORTIA (POSSIBLY)
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for EMPIRE PORTIA (POSSIBLY)
EMPIRE PORTIA (POSSIBLY) Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for EMPIRE PORTIA (POSSIBLY), sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (50.44, -2.73) (3km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
17°C
62°F · Range: 15.1–17.5°C
Air Temperature
13°C
56°F
Wind Speed
8.14 m/s
15.8 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1011 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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