BRUSSINA - Northumberland & Northeast
Alright, the Brussina. A bit of a different dive, this one, and definitely for those who appreciate history as much as marine life. She’s a small fishing vessel, just under 15 metres, that went down back in '84. What we love about her is how accessible she is, resting in just 2 metres of water. It means you get incredible bottom time, really letting you explore every nook and cranny. She’s a broken wreck, with the hull split, but you can still make out the outline of the stern and bow. Our favourite part is the engine room section, which is quite exposed now, giving you a proper glimpse into the mechanics of these old fishing boats. Sunlight filters down, highlighting the metalwork, and you'll often find wrasse darting in and out of the crevices. Given the shallow depth, it’s a brilliant spot for photographers, especially on a calm day when the visibility is good. It might not be a coral reef, but the Brussina offers a unique, tranquil dive for anyone keen to connect with a piece of maritime history.
- Location
- Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 53.318867, -4.015383
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 2m
Wreck History - BRUSSINA
- Year Sunk
- 1984
- Vessel Type
- fishing vessel
- Cause
- scuttled
The Brussina, a 14-meter fishing vessel, has a short and unusual history. In February 1984, the boat was under tow from Ireland when it began to experience unspecified difficulties. Unable to resolve the issues, the decision was made to deliberately sink the vessel. The Brussina was scuttled and came to rest in the shallows. Today, she lies in a mere 2 meters of water, making her less of a scuba dive and more of a point of interest for snorkelers and kayakers. Due to the extremely shallow depth and exposure to waves and currents, the wreck is likely very broken and scattered. Its official classification as a 'dangerous wreck' warns of the potential hazards from submerged, sharp metal debris, even for those just exploring from the surface.
Marine Protected Area: Puffin Island - Ynys Seiriol
Nearby Dive Sites in Northumberland & Northeast
- AARLA - 35m (wreck)
- ABBOTSFORD - 7m (wreck)
- ABYDOS - 8m (wreck)
- ACACIA - 11m (wreck)
- ACTION - 0m (wreck)
- ADC 527 - 60m (wreck)
- ADC 527 - 50m (wreck)
- ADC 527 (POSSIBLY) - 37m (wreck)
- ADGILLUS - 36m (wreck)
- AFTON - 22m (wreck)
- AFTON - 0m (wreck)
- AILSA - 1m (wreck)
- ALARM - 27m (wreck)
- ALASTOR - 13m (wreck)
- ALBANIAN - 35m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to BRUSSINA
- Above & Below Dive Centre - ["PADI"]
- Academy Divers - ["PADI"]
- Aqua Adventurers Scuba Diving
- Aqualogistics
- Aquaventurers - ["PADI"]
- Barracuda Scuba Ltd
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
- Protestant (Clupea harengus) - Reef Fish
- whiting (Merlangius merlangus) - Reef Fish
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) - Reef Fish
- Common sea star (Asterias rubens) - Starfish
- Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) - Reef Fish
- dab (Limanda limanda) - Reef Fish
- harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) - Whales & Dolphins
- long rough dab (Hippoglossoides platessoides) - Reef Fish
- sprat (Sprattus sprattus) - Reef Fish
- Edible periwinkle (Littorina littorea) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Common lobster (Homarus gammarus) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Acorn barnacle (Semibalanus balanoides)
- Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) - Clams & Mussels
- bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus) - Seagrass & Algae
- Dog whelk (Nucella lapillus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Beadlet anemone (Actinia equina) - Hard Corals
- Common brittlestar (Ophiothrix fragilis)
- butterfish (Pholis gunnellus) - Reef Fish
- Common shore crab (Carcinus maenas) - Crabs & Lobsters