wreck

Log This Dive

NOORDZEE

The Noordzee is a fantastic little wreck in Plymouth Sound, an easy shot from Mount Batten. We love it for a casual dive, especially if you’re looking for somewhere shallow and sheltered when the weather kicks up. Sunk in '79, this 34-metre trawler sits upright in about 7 metres of water, so your bottom time is generous. We often find the visibility here can be surprisingly good, especially on an incoming tide – sometimes you get 8-10 metres, which is a real treat for the UK. Dropping onto the wheelhouse, you can poke around the superstructure, which is now heavily encrusted with plumose anemones, their fluffy white tentacles swaying in the gentle surge. Head forward and you’ll spot conger eels tucked into any dark corner, their heads peering out. The hold is mostly collapsed, but you can still swim through sections of the main deck. Dogfish often rest on the sand nearby, and we’ve seen plenty of wrasse darting in and out of the metalwork. It's a perfect site for newer wreck divers or those wanting a relaxed hour underwater, offering a good sense of a ship without any deep penetration or strong currents. Our favourite part has to be the sheer density of anemones.