BEN REIN
Protected Area
West of Walney
Why dive here
With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - BEN REIN offers some of Northumberland & Northeast's richest wreck diving.
The Ben Rein is one of those wrecks that just hits different. It’s not about grand scale or exotic species here, it’s about the sheer history you feel at 17 metres. We love dropping down onto her, picturing the moment she went down in 1918. You can still make out the stern and a good chunk of the hull, largely intact, which always surprises us given the time she's spent on the seabed. The Ben Rein is an absolute magnet for local marine life, especially the nudibranchs – we’ve spotted some absolute crackers here, like the lemon-yellow sea lemons. Lobsters peek out from every nook and cranny, and the way the dead man's fingers coral coats the timbers gives it a ghostly, skeletal beauty. It’s a site that suits divers who appreciate a genuinely atmospheric wreck, somewhere you can take your time to explore the details and reflect on the past. Don’t expect tropical colours, but do expect a proper piece of history brought to life by the creatures making it their home. Visibility can be a typical North Sea mixed bag, but on a good day, the Ben Rein shines.
Typical BEN REIN 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.
BEN REIN Wreck History
Year Sunk
1918
Vessel Type
ketch
Cause
gunfire
The Ben Rein was a small ketch, a typical workhorse of its era, plying the coastal routes of the United Kingdom. Its final voyage began in February 1918, during the height of the First World War's unrestricted submarine warfare. While on passage from Liverpool to Belfast, she was intercepted in the Irish Sea by the German submarine UB-57. Being a small sailing vessel, she was no match for the U-boat, which sank her with gunfire on February 7th, 1918.
Today, the remains of the Ben Rein lie at a depth of 17 metres. This accessible depth makes it a popular dive for a wide range of certifications, from newly qualified open water divers to seasoned veterans. As a wooden vessel over a century old, the wreck is well broken up, with its cargo and key features scattered across the seabed. Divers can explore the debris field, looking for artefacts and observing the marine life that has made the wreckage its home. The site is classified as a 'dangerous wreck', so care must be taken to avoid potential entanglement hazards from old fishing nets or sharp, decaying timbers.
Nearest Dive Centres to BEN REIN
Dive shops near BEN REIN
Blackpool Area Diving Centre
MAD Dive School Ltd
Fins Scuba
Capernwray Diving Centre
Reviews for BEN REIN
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BEN REIN
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