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FB 278 (POSSIBLY)

Let's talk about the FB 278, or "Possibly" as we affectionately call it, off the Northumberland coast. It's a proper British wreck dive, sitting at 39 metres, and it's not for the faint of heart or the inexperienced. This isn't some purpose-sunk spectacle; this is a working barge, dumped by the Mersey Docks & Harbour Board, now a solid, industrial ghost on the seabed. What we love about the FB 278 is its sheer ruggedness. You descend into that green North Sea gloom, and suddenly, this dark, angular shape emerges. It’s still very much a barge, with its flat deck and strong ribs, but time and current have done their work. What was once purely functional is now beautifully colonised. You’ll find walls of plumose anemones, their white tentacles waving in the slight surge, and our favourite, the nudibranchs – often sea lemons, sometimes something a bit more exotic if you’re lucky, munching away on the hydroids. This wreck demands a certain respect. The vis can be temperamental, so pick your day carefully, ideally on a slack tide, and always have a good torch. Exploring the FB 278 feels like discovering a secret, a substantial piece of history just sitting there, slowly becoming part of the reef. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the quiet beauty of a utilitarian wreck, for divers who want to feel the history rather than just observe it.