AMBER ROSE - Northumberland & Northeast

The Amber Rose, sitting at 40 metres, is a proper North Sea challenge, but one we always come back to. This isn't a brightly coloured reef dive, but a deep, atmospheric wreck where you feel the history. Built in '79 and sunk in '98 during rough weather, it’s a sombre reminder of the sea’s power. You drop down onto the wheelhouse, often finding a surprising amount of light filtering through the gloom, which really brings out the texture of the growth. We love exploring the intact stern, imagining the trawler working its nets. The hold is accessible, a dark cavern that often shelters big ling, and you’ll spot plumose anemones waving like ghostly fingers from every surface. The currents here can be fierce, so pick your slack water carefully. Our advice? Go on a calm day; even then, the visibility can be patchy, but when it’s good, the Amber Rose reveals her secrets beautifully. This site is for experienced wreck divers who appreciate a genuinely historical dive and don't mind the chill of the North Sea. It really grabs you.

Location
Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
54.014250, -4.834617
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
40m

Wreck History - AMBER ROSE

Year Sunk
1998
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
storm

The wreck of the Amber Rose is a modern tragedy and a somber reminder of the dangers of fishing in the North Sea. The 27-meter trawler was caught in rough weather off the Northumberland coast in October 1998. Despite a valiant rescue effort that saved five of her crew, one man was tragically lost with the vessel. The Amber Rose sank quickly, coming to rest on the seabed and becoming a memorial to the life it claimed.

Sitting at 40 meters, this dive is for advanced divers prepared for the challenging conditions of the North Sea. The wreck is designated as a 'Dangerous Wreck', likely due to the presence of tangled nets and fishing gear, which pose a significant entanglement hazard. For those with the requisite training and experience, the Amber Rose is a compelling dive. As a relatively recent sinking, the vessel is largely intact, allowing divers to identify features like the wheelhouse, gantry, and deck gear. It now serves as an artificial reef, attracting cod, ling, and large crustaceans to its steel structure.

Marine Protected Area: Calf and Wart Bank

Nearby Dive Sites in Northumberland & Northeast

Nearest Dive Centres to AMBER ROSE

Marine Life in Northumberland & Northeast

Home to 132 recorded species including 53 reef fish, 15 whales & dolphins, 11 sharks & rays, 10 other, 10 seagrass & algae, 9 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species