INGENIEUR MAXIME HESSE - Cornwall & Devon

The Ingenieur Maxime Hesse, a tug that went down in 1921, is one of our favourite Cornwall wrecks for a few simple reasons. It’s a proper ship, not just a pile of rubble, and it sits upright at a very manageable 20 metres. We love dropping onto the stern, often with decent visibility, and finding the prop still very much there, usually covered in anemones and dead man’s fingers. From there, you can trace the deck forward. The wheelhouse is gone, but the general shape is still clear. Look for conger eels tucked into any dark space and wrasse patrolling the perimeter. It’s a compact wreck, so you can take your time, poke around, and still do a good circuit in 30 minutes of bottom time. For divers who appreciate historical wrecks that still look like ships, rather than just scattered debris, this one’s a real treat. We’d suggest diving it on a neap tide for the best conditions, as currents can pick up a bit here.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.562332, -1.157722
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
20m

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 INGENIEUR MAXIME HESSE

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 INGENIEUR MAXIME HESSE

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