ASTA (PROBABLY)

Protected Area

Isle of May

Why dive here

With 112+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - ASTA (PROBABLY) offers some of Scottish East Coast & Borders's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeDolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) and Orcas · 112+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive · max 58m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Asta sits deep, 58 metres down, a proper technical dive and one we reckon is worth the effort on a good day. She’s a steamship, built in 1883, and went down in 1927. You can feel that history in the cold, dark water when you drop onto her. What we love about the Asta is how intact she is, considering the depth and the conditions. You’ll find two massive boilers standing proud, and the triple expansion engine is still recognisable, a real feat of engineering frozen in time. The visibility here can be challenging, but when it clears, the wreck becomes an artificial reef. Crabs scuttle over the plating, and we’ve seen some surprisingly large lobsters tucked into crevices. It’s a site for experienced wreck divers, certainly, those who appreciate the quiet solitude of a deep historical wreck and the skill required to explore it safely. Plan your dive meticulously, watch your gas, and you'll have a fantastic encounter with a piece of maritime history.

Typical ASTA (PROBABLY) Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Maximum depth 58m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

Today06:3317:2110h 48m daylightGolden hour 16:30

ASTA (PROBABLY) Wreck History

Year Sunk

1927

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

storm

Tonnage

1,154 GRT

With a career spanning over four decades, the steamship ASTA had a long and storied life on the seas. Launched in 1883 by Palmer's Co Ltd in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, she sailed under several names, including Allende, Forest, Fingal, and Larnace, reflecting her changing owners and routes. By 1927, owned by the Swedish company A/B Maritine, the aging vessel was a testament to the durability of late Victorian shipbuilding.

In December 1927, while steaming through the notoriously rough North Sea, the ASTA was caught in a severe gale. Battered by the waves, the old ship began to take on water and eventually foundered on December 15th, sinking beneath the waves. Today, she lies at a depth of 58 meters off the Scottish coast. This depth places her firmly in the realm of technical diving, a challenging decompression dive reserved for experienced and properly equipped teams. Divers who make the descent are rewarded with the sight of a classic steamship wreck, with its triple-expansion engine and boilers providing a focal point on a site that has been reclaimed by the cold, dark waters of the North Sea.