MARISCOS - Northumberland & Northeast

The *Mariscos* is a little beauty, pure and simple. We love this site because it’s a perfectly sized wreck for a leisurely dive, especially when the conditions are playing ball. Sunk in 2002, this 9.9-metre fishing vessel sits upright in about 20 metres of water, making it a comfortable depth for extended bottom times. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the way light filters through the relatively intact superstructure. You can poke around the wheelhouse, imagine the old fishing gear, and really get a feel for its working life before it became an artificial reef. The *Mariscos* is absolutely smothered in life now – big plumose anemones wave from every surface, and we’ve seen some seriously chunky lobsters tucked into the nooks and crannies. Keep an eye out for inquisitive wrasse patrolling the deck and the occasional shy pollack darting into the shadows. It’s an ideal wreck for photographers who want to capture that classic North Sea encrustation, and it’s a site we find ourselves coming back to again and again for a relaxed, rewarding dive. Just make sure to pick a calm day; it’s far more enjoyable without a strong current running over the top.

Location

Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

54.492516, -5.416350

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

20m

Marine Protected Area: Outer Ards