wreck

Log This Dive

APPLEGARTH

The Applegarth is a proper North Sea wreck, sitting upright and mostly intact, which is always a bonus. We’ve always appreciated a wreck that still looks like a ship, even after all these years down there. Dropping onto her bow, you can still make out the anchor chains leading down into the gloom. We love navigating our way along the deck, peeking into open holds that are now home to squat lobsters and the occasional blenny. This old tug has become a really solid artificial reef. The structure itself is interesting, with plenty of nooks and crannies for exploration, but it's the marine life that truly brings it alive. We’ve seen conger eels coiled up inside broken sections, and the entire superstructure is carpeted in anemones and dead man’s fingers, swaying gently in the current. Visibility can be a typical North Sea mixed bag – one day you’re seeing the whole ship, the next it’s an intimate exploration of just a few metres. We'd suggest timing your dive with slack water to really make the most of it; it makes exploring those deeper sections much more enjoyable. This is a dive for those who appreciate history and the rugged beauty of a cold-water wreck.