PRESERVER - Cornwall & Devon

The Preserver is a moody dive, perfect for those days when you just want to potter about a solid wreck without battling big currents or depths. We love that it’s sitting upright in a modest 15 meters of water, so even if you’re newer to wreck diving, you get a proper sense of its structure. She was a salvage vessel, sunk by a German parachute mine in 1940, and you can still see that hardy working boat character about her. Drop down and you’re immediately into the wreck. The main boiler is a real focal point, surrounded by schools of pouting, and often a grumpy-looking conger eel eyeing you from a pipe. We’ve found the stern section particularly interesting, with some of the steering gear still recognisable. It’s a great site for photographers too, especially on a sunny day when the light filters through the superstructure, illuminating the anemones and dead man's fingers that carpet the metal. Visibility can be a typical UK affair, but on a good day, you’ll get 10-12 metres, which is plenty for exploring. Best dived around slack water, obviously. Keep an eye out for dogfish tucked into the sand nearby.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.695430, -5.071357
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
15m

Marine Protected Area: Arfordir Penrhyn Angle / Angle Peninsula Coast

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 PRESERVER

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 PRESERVER

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