wreck

Log This Dive

MARAL R

The Maral R, resting near Seaton Sluice, offers a different kind of Scottish diving. This isn't about deep wrecks or pristine reefs. Instead, we have a relatively shallow, accessible wreck with a fascinating story. The motor vessel went down in '87 after an engine room fire, drifting ashore to its final resting place. Today, you dive what’s left of her hull and superstructure, which sit well within recreational limits. What we love about the Maral R is the sheer resilience of the local marine life. Despite the often-chilly North Sea, you’ll find crabs scuttling amongst the twisted metal, small pollack darting through openings, and anemones clinging to every available surface. It's a fantastic training ground for newer wreck divers, or a solid second dive for those looking for something less strenuous. Our favourite approach is to time it with slack water, allowing you to really take in the scale of the wreck, feeling the pull of the current ease as you fin past the stern. You won’t be penetrating much here, but tracing the deck lines and seeing how nature has reclaimed the vessel is reward enough.