HM LCT 427 (FWD PART) - Cornwall & Devon

We love a wreck with a story, and the forward section of HM LCT 427 certainly has one. Sunk after a collision with the massive HMS Rodney on D-Day, this landing craft lies broken but still formidable at 39 metres. Descending, you’ll first discern the stern profile, then the sheer scale of the bow section emerges, often cloaked in the gloom that gives deeper UK dives their atmosphere. What makes this LCT really sing are the cargo bays. We find them easily penetrable, offering a glimpse into the vessel's operational past. Keep an eye out for the davits, too, which are often draped in dead man's fingers, a favourite hideout for conger eels – some of them absolute monsters. Visibility here can be tricky, so our advice is to aim for slack water on a neap tide, which usually offers the clearest conditions. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and enjoy the challenge of a deeper, darker wreck, not for beginners. The cold water does mean the marine growth can be sparse, but we’ve always found enough life to make the exploration worthwhile, particularly the anemones that stud the harder metal surfaces, their tentacles swaying gently in the residual current.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.730780, -1.061967
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
39m

Marine Protected Area: St Helen's Duver & Priory Wood

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 HM LCT 427 (FWD PART)

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 HM LCT 427 (FWD PART)

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