BLANCH - Northumberland & Northeast

The Blanch isn't your typical North Sea wreck. For starters, it’s ridiculously shallow, sitting in just 2m of water. We're talking wading depth, which makes it perfect for a snorkel or a shallow dive when the conditions are flat. It’s essentially a broken-up fishing trawler, sunk in 1914, but time and tide have really worked their magic here. What you get now is a scattering of twisted metal and machinery, heavily colonised by kelp and an incredible amount of life for such a exposed spot. We’ve seen everything from curious butterfish darting through the wreckage to plump velvet swimming crabs hunkering down in the crevices. There’s a certain charm to exploring something so easily accessible that still holds a century of history. It’s an ideal site for macro photography, or for introducing newer divers to wreck exploration without the usual depth pressures. We’d suggest going on a calm, sunny day; the light penetration is gorgeous, and you can really appreciate the colour of the kelp and the marine growth. Just watch your buoyancy; it’s easy to stir up the sand here.

Location
Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
53.529550, -3.214660
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Wreck History - BLANCH

Vessel Type
unknown
Cause
unknown

The wreck known simply as the "Blanch" is an enigma resting in the shallows off the Northumberland coast. With no recorded history of its sinking or even its original purpose, it is a true mystery for divers to explore. Lying in a mere 2 metres of water, it's almost certain the vessel met its end by running aground on this rugged coastline, torn apart by the relentless power of the North Sea surf. Its official designation as a "dangerous wreck" serves as a warning of the twisted and sharp metal that lies just beneath the waves.

This site is best explored on a calm day as a snorkel or a very shallow scuba dive, heavily influenced by the tide and swell. What remains of the Blanch is scattered and broken, a collection of plates and ribs partially buried in the sand and rocks. For underwater photographers, it offers a dramatic scene of wreckage in the bright, shallow water. For the curious diver, it is a puzzle box with no solution, a silent testament to the unforgiving nature of the sea.

Marine Protected Area: Ravenmeols Hills

Nearby Dive Sites in Northumberland & Northeast

Nearest Dive Centres to BLANCH

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