BEN REIN (EX-STARLING)

Protected Area

West of Copeland

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 (EX-STARLING) 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 39m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Ben Rein, formerly the Starling, sits upright and largely intact on the seabed at 39 meters. We love a wreck that still feels like a ship, and this one delivers. Dropping down, the bow is often the first thing to loom out of the gloom, usually swarming with juvenile coalfish. The hold sections are accessible, and you can swim through if you're comfortable with overhead environments, where dead man’s fingers carpet the bulkheads. Keep an eye out for ling tucked into shadowy corners and edible crabs scuttling amongst the plates. The visibility here can be truly astounding on a good day, but it’s still Northumberland, so be prepared for a bit of chop and a green tinge. This dive is best for experienced cold-water wreck enthusiasts who appreciate history and the quiet beauty of a forgotten vessel. It's a proper British wreck, full of character and surprisingly vibrant marine life.

Typical BEN REIN (EX-STARLING) Dive Profile

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

Safety Notes

Deep dive (39m) - monitor air consumption closely. Advanced certification recommended.

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.

Today06:3617:3010h 54m daylightGolden hour 16:42

BEN REIN (EX-STARLING) Wreck History

Year Sunk

1918

Vessel Type

tugboat

Cause

gunfire

Tonnage

197 GRT

The steam tug Ben Rein began her life in 1905 as the 'Starling', built by G. Brown & Co in Greenock. Owned initially by Steel and Bennie & Co Ltd of Glasgow, she was a powerful workhorse in the busy ports and waterways of the era. In 1917, a year before her loss, she was sold to the Ramsay Steamship Co and renamed Ben Rein, continuing her vital work during the First World War.

In a remarkable and tragic coincidence, this vessel was sunk on the exact same day, February 7th, 1918, as the ketch Ben Rein. She too fell victim to the German submarine UB-57 while operating in the Irish Sea. The U-boat, having already sunk the ketch, encountered the steam tug and dispatched it with gunfire, sending another vessel to the bottom in a single day's deadly patrol.

Lying at 39 metres, the wreck of the tug Ben Rein is a fantastic dive for advanced recreational divers and those venturing into technical diving. The wreck is more substantial than its wooden namesake, with key features like the boiler, engine, and winch gear often visible. The hull has collapsed in places after more than a century underwater, but its shape is still discernible. It's a classic WWI wreck, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past and is often home to conger eels, lobsters, and large schools of fish that shelter within its metal plates.