wreck

Log This Dive

LCT 524

It’s easy to get caught up in the big names of Cornish wreck diving, but the LCT 524 near Plymouth offers something genuinely special, a tangible link to history. This isn't some scattered debris field. We’re talking about a landing craft, sunk during Operation Neptune, lying mostly intact at 17 metres. You descend onto an authentic piece of D-Day, a massive hulking shape that immediately grabs your attention. What we love here is the sheer scale and the sense of story. The deck, where vehicles would have been loaded, is now a flat, expansive plateau, home to some seriously chunky spider crabs. Penetration is out – it's a dangerous wreck for a reason – but you can explore the perimeter, peering into the cavernous holds. Look for the bow doors, still prominent, a stark reminder of its original purpose. Visibility can be typical Channel green, but when it clears, the light filtering down through the water column onto the dark metal is quite dramatic. Our favourite spot is the stern, where the structure is a bit more broken, creating nooks and crannies for conger eels. We’d suggest a slack water dive, as currents here can be a bit frisky. This site is a proper journey back in time, best for experienced divers comfortable with deeper, darker wrecks and the occasional push of the tide.