wreck

Log This Dive

NIL DESPERANDUM

The Nil Desperandum isn’t the kind of wreck you’ll often hear divers raving about, and honestly, we love that. It’s got a wonderfully understated character, sitting upright on a sandy seabed at 34 metres, about 17 miles east of Coquet Island. This isn’t a massive, sprawling wreck, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in its surprising integrity and the life it now supports. We’ve always found this wreck a calm dive, perfect for just pottering about. You can swim right into the wheelhouse, which is remarkably open, and we always enjoy peering into the engine room space. The best part, though, is the sheer density of life. The Nil Desperandum acts like a big, metal magnet for fish in an otherwise open stretch of sand. You’ll often find conger eels tucked into every dark nook, and the deck plating is absolutely carpeted with plumose anemones – their white, feathery heads sway gently, making the wreck look almost soft. We usually spot plenty of big lobsters too, peering out from under collapsed sections. This dive is definitely for those who appreciate the quiet beauty of a forgotten vessel and the way the sea reclaims it. Come prepared for typical UK visibility, but on a good day, the Nil Desperandum truly shines.