wreck

Log This Dive

J P RENNOLDSON

The J P Rennoldson is a proper little time capsule, sitting pretty in its own sheltered bay. At just five metres, it’s not going to test your depth limits, but what it lacks in meters, it more than makes up for in character. We love poking around the remnants of this old paddle steamer. You can still make out the paddlewheel housings, and the boiler is a great big landmark, completely encrusted now, home to crabs and blennies peeking from every crevice. Visibility here can be surprisingly decent on a calm day, especially with a bit of sun. We’d suggest a slack tide for the best views, because even a gentle push of water can kick up the silt a bit. It’s ideal for newer wreck divers or anyone who just fancies a chilled-out mooch, feeling the history under their fins. The sheer amount of life that has moved in, turning this industrial hulk into a vibrant reef, is genuinely impressive.