BILLY BOY - Northumberland & Northeast

The Billy Boy is a little pocket rocket, a small fishing vessel that went down in 1951. We love this wreck for its character, even if it is a bit broken up. It sits upright, mostly intact, at a very manageable 18 metres. You can swim around the wheelhouse, which is still recognisable, and peer into the hold where crabs scuttle away from your torch beam. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is in the North Sea, but on a good day, when the sun filters through, the scene is quite something. Dead man's fingers coral coat the metalwork, swaying gently with the surge. We’ve spotted plenty of blennies tucked into crevices and ling lurking under the deeper sections of deck. It’s a brilliant site for newer wreck divers, or for anyone wanting a relaxed second dive. Just remember your drysuit – it’s the North Sea, after all.

Location
Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
53.769657, -3.334652
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
18m

Wreck History - BILLY BOY

Year Sunk
1951
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
unknown

The Billy Boy is a classic small fishing vessel wreck lying in the cool, nutrient-rich waters off the Northumberland coast of the UK. Having sunk in 1951, this 9-meter boat has spent decades on the seabed, transforming into a thriving artificial reef. At a comfortable depth of 18 meters, it's an ideal dive for those new to wreck diving or as a second, shallower dive of the day. Over the years, the wooden structure has likely broken down, creating a haven for the area's iconic marine life. Divers can expect to peer into crevices searching for lobsters and crabs, while schools of pollack and bib often patrol the wreckage. It's a charming dive that offers a perfect snapshot of the marine ecosystem in the North Sea.

Marine Protected Area: Fylde

Nearby Dive Sites in Northumberland & Northeast

Nearest Dive Centres to BILLY BOY

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