ATY (POSSIBLY)

Protected Area

Torrs to Mason's Walk

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - ATY (POSSIBLY) offers some of Northumberland & Northeast's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeDolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) and Orcas · 118+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive · max 18m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The ATY, a fishing vessel sunk in 1972, is a brilliant example of a wreck that’s been completely reclaimed by the North Sea. Sitting at 18 metres, it’s an accessible dive for most, and we’ve spent many hours nosing around its structure. What you get here is a proper wreck dive, nothing too deep or complex, just a solid steel hull that’s become an apartment block for crabs and a nursery for juvenile fish. Drop down onto the deck and you’re immediately enveloped by the gloom and green of the local water, but don't let that put you off. Your torch beam will pick out squat lobsters peeking from every crevice. We particularly love the feeling of swimming along the intact superstructure, the deck plates often thick with plumose anemones, their white tentacles waving gently in the surge. Look closely and you’ll find nudibranchs inching their way across the rusty metal. It’s a site that rewards slow exploration. The low visibility often keeps other divers away, which is a bonus for us. Go on a slack tide for the easiest conditions, and you’ll have the whole place to yourself to imagine its final moments.

Typical ATY (POSSIBLY) Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

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.

Today06:3717:2910h 52m daylightGolden hour 16:40

ATY (POSSIBLY) Wreck History

Year Sunk

1972

Vessel Type

fishing vessel

Cause

unknown

The Aty was a fishing vessel whose career came to an abrupt end on June 2, 1972. While working off the coast of Northumberland, the vessel suddenly sprang a severe leak. The crew was unable to control the flooding, and the Aty foundered and sank. Fortunately, the entire crew was rescued safely, leaving the small ship to settle on the seabed as its final resting place.

Located at a very accessible depth of 18 meters, the Aty is a popular site for divers of all levels, from newly certified Open Water divers onwards. However, despite its shallow depth, the wreck carries a 'dangerous' classification, likely due to monofilament lines, nets, or sharp, deteriorating metal. Cautious divers are rewarded with a fascinating look at a relatively modern wreck. It's a perfect place to observe how quickly nature colonizes a man-made structure, with anemones, crabs, and schools of fish now inhabiting the vessel's remains.