wreck

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HAMILTON KINGFISHER

The *Hamilton Kingfisher* isn’t about depth, that’s for sure. We’re talking about a wreck that sits barely submerged, sometimes even a little proud of the water at low tide. It’s an ex-customs launch, a small fishing vessel that met its end on the Bognor Rocks back in 2001. We love it for its sheer accessibility, making it a proper shore dive for those days you just want to get wet without a boat trip. It’s small, just 7.9 metres, so don't expect a sprawling exploration. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in character and the life it now supports. We’ve often found dogfish tucked into its nooks, and the metalwork itself is fuzzy with anemones and encrusting sponges. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss, as with many shallow coastal sites in the UK, but on a calm day, with a gentle swell, the light filtering through the surface ripples dances beautifully over the wreck. Our favourite time to dive it is during slack water, just after high tide, when the currents ease and you can properly poke around without fighting the flow. It’s a fantastic site for photographers keen on macro shots or for newer divers getting a feel for wreck diving in a very forgiving environment.