POCHARD - Northumberland & Northeast

The Pochard is one of those Northumberland wrecks we keep coming back to. Sitting at 28 metres, she’s an iron steamship, built in 1883 and sunk just a year later – a surprisingly quick end for a vessel of her size. When you drop down, the sheer scale hits you first. She's 79 metres long, and while the stern is well broken up, the bow section is still very much intact, giving you a real sense of her original form. We love pushing into the cargo holds here; they’re often packed with crabs scuttling over the plates, and sometimes you’ll spot a wolfish tucked right into a dark corner. Visibility can be a proper Northumberland mixed bag, but on a good day, the light filtering through the green water really highlights the structure. Look closely at the deck plating and the ribs; the kelp and anenomes cling on, swaying with the surge. Our favourite part has to be exploring the engine room area. It’s a jumble of twisted metal and steam pipes, but the twin boilers are still recognisable, and it’s a brilliant spot to hunt for ling or a lurking conger eel. This is a dive for those who appreciate history and don’t mind a bit of current. It’s not about bright colours, but about the atmosphere, the scale, and the persistent life that makes a home in the wreck’s shadows.

Location

Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

53.341915, -4.676140

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

28m

Marine Protected Area: Holyhead Mountain