wreck

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DEO GRATIAS

Deo Gratias, an old fishing vessel resting at 25m, is a fantastic dive for those who appreciate the quiet history of a wreck. We love how settled she is, almost blending with the rocky seabed, but her defined structure still offers plenty to explore. You’ll find her near the Harry Furlong Rocks, where she met her end back in '75, a story that adds a real weight to the dive. Dropping down, the first thing that strikes you is the sheer sense of peace. The visibility here can vary, but on a good day, the outline of the 18.3m trawler emerges from the green gloom, her stern higher than her bow, listing slightly to port. Inside the wheelhouse, if you dare a peek, it's a tight squeeze, but the light filtering through the gaps is ethereal. The wreck itself, though not huge, is absolutely encrusted with plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying like miniature flowers. You’ll spot crabs scuttling in every crevice and small shoals of pollack darting in and out of the skeletal frames. We’ve even seen a curious seal poke its head around the mast on a few occasions. This site suits divers comfortable with a deeper wreck and those who find beauty in the slow reclamation of steel by the sea. Our best advice? Go on a slack tide, otherwise, you'll be working against a hefty push.