wreck

Log This Dive

MARGARET SMITH

The Margaret Smith is a proper wreck dive, sitting upright and mostly intact on a sandy seabed off Yarmouth. We love a wreck that still looks like a ship, and this 43-metre dredger certainly delivers. Dropping down, you’ll first hit the wheelhouse, often swarming with schools of pollack, their silvery bodies flashing as you approach. The main deck runs the length of the vessel, just 14 metres down, making it perfect for longer bottom times. Inside, the engine room is a highlight. We always find conger eels tucked into every dark corner, sometimes one, sometimes two, their thick bodies barely fitting. Watch for crabs scuttling over the plating and lobsters peering out from under collapsed sections. There’s a wonderful sense of exploration here; you can swim through the holds and along the companionways, imagining her final moments after she capsized and drifted. It’s a site that suits those who enjoy penetration, but even just circling the exterior offers plenty to see. Keep an eye out for dogfish resting on the sand nearby.