ADC 527
Protected Area
Isle of Whithorn Bay
Why dive here
With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - ADC 527 offers some of Northumberland & Northeast's richest wreck diving.
There’s something truly compelling about a wreck with a story, and the ADC 527 has a heartbreaking one. This landing craft, sunk in a storm in 1946 while on an ammunition dumping run, took all 12 of its crew with it. Diving it, you feel that history. We love the way she’s settled upright at 50 metres, still looking like a vessel, not just a pile of scrap. The sheer scale is impressive, at nearly 60 metres long, there’s plenty to explore, from the bow where the ramp would have been to the stern, now a haven for life. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is in the Northeast, but when it’s good, the structure is striking. Look for the large propeller, still in place, and the holds that now house a surprising number of ling and conger eels, tucked into every crevice. We’ve seen huge shoals of cod here too, swirling around the deck. It’s a deep dive, definitely one for experienced divers comfortable with overhead environments and good buoyancy. Our favourite is exploring the internal spaces, but take care, this is a genuine wreck, not a playground. A great dive for those who appreciate maritime history and a proper, challenging wreck.
Typical ADC 527 Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Maximum depth 50m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
ADC 527 Wreck History
Year Sunk
1946
Vessel Type
landing craft
Cause
storm
The sinking of the ADC 527 is a tragic postscript to the Second World War. A repurposed landing craft, the vessel was tasked with one of the most dangerous peacetime operations: the disposal of surplus ammunition. On January 8, 1946, while en route to the deep-water trench of Beaufort's Dyke to dump its volatile cargo, the ADC 527 was caught in severe weather off the Northumberland coast. The storm proved too powerful for the vessel, and it was lost with all 12 of its crew, a final, heartbreaking sacrifice made after the war had officially ended.
Today, the wreck of the ADC 527 lies at a depth of 50 metres. It is a sombre and challenging dive, accessible only to technical divers prepared for the demanding conditions of the North Sea. The vessel serves as an underwater memorial to its lost crew and a stark reminder of the often-unseen dangers that continued long after the fighting stopped. For visiting divers, it is a poignant site that tells a story not of battle, but of a vital and hazardous duty that ended in tragedy.
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Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ADC 527
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