FB 289 AND 292 (PROBABLY)

Protected Area

Liverpool Bay / Bae Lerpwl

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - FB 289 AND 292 (PROBABLY) 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 39m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Right, the FB 289 and 292, or what we’re pretty sure is them, are properly unique. We’re talking about two Mersey Docks & Harbour Board barges, scuttled here back in the day, sitting upright at 39 metres. It’s a proper dive into industrial history, the sheer scale of these working boats, now completely reclaimed by the North Sea. The steel is heavily encrusted, painted in a thick layer of plumose anemones, which shimmer under your torch beam. You'll find ling snaking through the holds, their eyes reflecting the light, and hefty crabs scuttling over the decking. We love tracing the deck lines, imagining them loaded up, though now it’s just a playground for the local marine life. Our top tip: aim for a slack tide. The visibility can be surprisingly good then, letting you take in the whole scene without fighting a current. It’s a great dive for those who appreciate wrecks with a story, and who don't mind a bit of depth.