HMS RECEPTO - Northumberland & Northeast

The HMS Recepto is our go-to for a proper North Sea wreck dive without the need for deep technical skills. Sitting upright at 15m, she’s a sturdy trawler, sunk in 1917, and has become a true artificial reef. We love poking around her bow, often finding lobsters tucked into the nooks and crannies. The stern section is less intact, but the triple-expansion engine is a fantastic sight, still standing proud and draped in anemones. Visibility here can swing, but on a good day, the Recepto has a real presence, a dark shape emerging from the green. We’ve had dives here where schools of pollock circle the superstructure, their silver scales flashing, and big conger eels sometimes peer out from beneath collapsed plating. It’s a site that feels genuinely historical, a tangible piece of maritime past, but also vibrant with current life. Our tip: aim for a slack tide dive to properly enjoy exploring the layout. It's an ideal wreck for those newer to wreck diving, offering plenty to see without any serious overhead environments.

Location

Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

54.677357, -1.139965

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

15m

Marine Protected Area: Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast