HMS BEN HEILEM - Scottish East Coast & Borders

The HMS Ben Heilem isn’t a grand battleship, but for a piece of Scottish East Coast history, she's a cracker. This isn't a deep dive, sitting shallow off Berwick, which makes her an accessible introduction to wreck diving in colder waters. We love how the sea has truly embraced her, turning her steel skeleton into a rough apartment block for crabs and various curious fish. You’ll find her broken up, but still recognisable as a trawler, scattered across a rocky seabed. Peering into what's left of the hull, you can almost imagine the rough life on board back in 1917. Our favourite moments here are often just finding a good vantage point to watch the kelp sway around her ribs, feeling the gentle tug of the surge, and spotting a curious wrasse dart through the wreckage. This site suits divers keen on history, those looking for an easy wreck dive, or anyone wanting to see how nature reclaims man-made structures with a quiet persistence. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery, as you'd expect off this coast, so pick a calm day with an incoming tide for the best chance of a clear look.

Location

Scottish East Coast & Borders, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

55.766926, -1.984910

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

0m

Marine Protected Area: Tweed Estuary