BANN PRINCE - Northumberland & Northeast

The *Bann Prince* is one of those Northumberland wrecks we always make time for. It’s shallow, only ten metres, but that’s its charm. We love heading out on a calm day, slipping into the green North Sea, and dropping onto that familiar jumble of metal. You can still make out the bow and stern, but much of the steamship is broken up, creating this fantastic habitat for all sorts of local characters. We often find huge edible crabs tucked into the nooks, and lobsters wave their antennae from deeper crevices. The visibility can be hit or miss, but even on an average day, the ghostly outline of the wreck emerging from the gloom is pretty atmospheric. You’ll see schools of coalfish darting through the superstructure, and the occasional dogfish resting on the sand nearby. It’s an easy, relaxed dive, perfect for a second dip or if you’re just getting comfortable with wreck diving in temperate waters. Definitely pack a good torch; there are plenty of shadowy corners to peer into.

Location
Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
53.529964, -3.167721
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Wreck History - BANN PRINCE

Year Sunk
1955
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
collision

The final voyage of the steamship Bann Prince ended in disaster on a cold November night in 1955. While navigating the waters off the Northumberland coast, she was involved in a catastrophic collision with the tanker 'Juno'. The impact was severe, and the Bann Prince sank quickly, settling on the seabed in shallow water.

Lying at just 10 meters, the Bann Prince is a fantastic wreck for novice divers, photographers, and those looking for a long, relaxed dive. Its shallow depth means it's often subject to the full force of North Sea storms, and as a result, the wreck is heavily broken up and scattered. However, this creates a fascinating field of debris to explore, with plates, ribs, and machinery providing countless nooks and crannies for marine life. The site is designated as a 'Dangerous Wreck' on maritime charts, not because of the dive itself, but because its shallow position poses a hazard to modern navigation, a stark reminder of the incident that put her on the seafloor.

Marine Protected Area: Ravenmeols Hills

Nearby Dive Sites in Northumberland & Northeast

Nearest Dive Centres to BANN PRINCE

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