FB 47 (POSSIBLY)

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 47 (POSSIBLY) 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

FB 47, often just "the Barge," feels like a proper deep dive adventure off the Northumberland coast. We love a good mystery, and this one, supposedly scuttled by the Mersey Docks & Harbour Board, carries a certain rogue charm. Dropping onto the deck at 39m, the wreck unfolds as a series of metal plates and twisted girders, heavily encrusted now. It’s not one for penetration, but there are plenty of nooks and crannies to peer into. Our favourite spot is usually around the stern, where the structure seems most intact. You’ll find squat lobsters tucked into every crevice, and the resident wolf fish, if they’re feeling brave, often peek out from under some of the larger plates. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, sometimes twenty metres, sometimes a murky five, so we always suggest checking the local conditions before heading out. It suits divers comfortable with colder water and deeper profiles, especially those who appreciate the quiet solitude of a less-frequented wreck.