CARDEA

Protected Area

Little Ness

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - CARDEA 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 50m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Cardea, sitting upright at 50 metres, is a proper technical dive, and one we genuinely rate. This isn’t a leisurely float; it’s a dive that demands respect for its depth and conditions. We’ve found her to be remarkably intact for a vessel sunk by collision, with her stern still presenting a striking profile as you descend into the gloom. You can still make out the superstructure, and the holds are surprisingly open, offering some excellent penetration for those qualified and experienced in overhead environments. This 15.5-metre fishing vessel, sunk back in 2001, has really embraced its new role as an artificial reef. The cold Northumberland water keeps growth slower, but the wreck itself is now a magnet for local life. We’ve often seen shoals of coalfish circling the mast, and the nooks and crannies are perfect for lobster and edible crabs – just remember to look, not touch. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, ranging from a murky few metres to a surprisingly clear 15, so picking your day is key. We always suggest aiming for slack water on a neap tide; it makes the dive much more enjoyable and gives you more time to appreciate the wreck without fighting a strong push. It's a challenging but rewarding dive for the experienced technical diver looking for something a bit different on the UK coast.

Typical CARDEA Dive Profile

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

Safety Notes

Maximum depth 50m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.

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.

Today06:3817:3210h 54m daylightGolden hour 16:44

CARDEA Wreck History

Year Sunk

2001

Vessel Type

fishing vessel

Cause

collision

The Cardea was a 15.5-metre fishing vessel working the rich waters of the North Sea. Its career came to an abrupt and tragic end on February 18, 2001, when it was involved in a collision with another fishing vessel, the Ocean Hunter. The impact was severe, and the Cardea quickly sank beneath the waves. Fortunately, a swift rescue operation ensured the entire crew was recovered safely.

Resting upright on the seabed at a depth of 50 metres, the Cardea is a dive reserved for experienced technical divers with the appropriate training and certification for deep, mixed-gas diving. For those qualified to make the descent, the wreck is a rewarding sight. Being relatively modern, it is largely intact and provides a clear impression of a working fishing boat. Its small size allows for a comprehensive survey in a single dive, and it is steadily becoming colonised by the marine life typical of the Northumberland coast.