NEILS JOHN - Northumberland & Northeast

Neils John is one of those wrecks that just settles into the seabed and starts living a second life, and we really rate it for that. It's a fishing vessel, sitting upright at 36 metres, and while it's not a massive wreck, its character comes from the way marine life has absolutely draped itself over every surface. You'll find the deckhouse still mostly intact, offering some nice swim-throughs if you're comfortable with overhead environments. What we love about this site is the sheer density of life. We've seen wolfish poking their heads out from under plates of metal and big ling coiled up in the nooks and crannies. The shoals of cod and pollock around the wheelhouse can be incredible, sometimes so thick they almost block out the ambient light. It’s a site that rewards a slow, observant dive, carefully checking inside every opening and along every seam. Visibility here can be hit or miss, typical for the North Sea, but on a good day, when the sun penetrates, the sight of all that life against the dark structure is pretty special. This is a dive for experienced divers, comfortable with the depth and the occasional strong current, and who appreciate a wreck for its ecological value as much as its history.

Location

Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

54.352684, -4.045667

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

36m

Marine Protected Area: Ramsey, Isle of Man