BARRISTER

Protected Area

Pisces Reef Complex

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - BARRISTER 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 60m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The *Barrister* isn't for the faint of heart, or indeed, the shallow diver. This is a deep wreck, sitting upright on the seabed at 60 metres, and it demands respect. We love the sheer scale of it, a proper steamship laid out before you, torpedoed in 1918. Dropping down, the bow comes into view first, rising out of the gloom. It’s a huge, impressive structure. Visibility can be a real factor here, so pick your day carefully; aim for slack water on a neap tide for the best chance of a clear run. When it’s good, you can make out the anchor chains snaking down to the seabed, and the sheer hull plating covered in a thick carpet of plumose anemones, their white tentacles waving gently in the current. Penetration is possible for experienced wreck divers, with the holds offering glimpses into the ship's cargo capacity, now home to ling and a few resident conger eels. Our favourite part? Cruising along the deck, imagining the final moments of that fateful day, with the immense structure still largely intact. This is a dive for technical divers, those who appreciate the history and the silent grandeur of a deep, imposing wreck.

Typical BARRISTER 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 60m 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.

Today06:4117:3510h 54m daylightGolden hour 16:47

BARRISTER Wreck History

Year Sunk

1918

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

torpedo

The SS Barrister met a tragic and violent end in the final months of the First World War. On September 19, 1918, the 123-metre steamship was struck by a torpedo from the German submarine UB-64. The attack was devastatingly effective; the ship sank instantly, taking 30 of her crew down with her. This sudden loss stands as a somber testament to the brutal reality of unrestricted submarine warfare in the North Sea.

Lying at a depth of 60 metres, the Barrister is a challenging technical dive reserved for experienced, certified trimix divers. The wreck is a significant and poignant war grave. Those who make the descent are rewarded with the sight of a large, intact vessel that has lain undisturbed for over a century. The depth has preserved her well, and exploring her silent decks is a humbling journey back in time to the final, desperate days of WWI.