wreck

Log This Dive

KAREN ANN 2 (PROBABLY)

We love a good mystery wreck, and the *Karen Ann 2* certainly delivers. Her actual identity is a bit of a debate among local divers – hence the 'probably' in her name – but that only adds to her charm. Lying at 20 metres, she’s a compact fishing vessel, around 10 metres long, that went down in 1972 after a sudden stern leak. It’s an accessible dive, though Northumberland can throw up some choppy surface conditions, so pick your weather window. Drop down and you'll find her largely intact, resting upright on a silty seabed. Penetration isn't really an option, but you can poke around the wheelhouse area and see the gantry at the stern. The wreck itself is heavily encrusted, a tapestry of dead man's fingers and colourful jewel anemones. We’ve often found lumpsuckers tucked into crevices, their little mouths looking surprised, and the local crabs are huge, scuttling amongst the plates. The visibility can vary, but on a good day, the light filtering through the North Sea green gives the wreck a really atmospheric feel. It’s a cracker for macro enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys exploring a bit of maritime history.