NORTHARDS - Scottish East Coast & Borders

The Northards, a fishing vessel that went down in 2005, isn't some ancient wreck shrouded in mystery, but that’s precisely why we love it. It’s a relatively fresh canvas for marine life, and it’s fascinating to see how quickly the North Sea gets to work. Dropping onto the deck at around 40m, you’ll find the wheelhouse largely intact, offering some great swim-throughs if you're comfortable with overhead environments. The trawler nets, still draped and snagged, create interesting topography and hiding spots for crabs and lobsters. This isn’t a wreck for beginners; the depth pushes it into the technical realm for most, and the Scottish East Coast can throw up some brisk currents. But if you’ve got your deep cert and good buoyancy, the Northards offers a tangible piece of recent maritime history. We’ve often found conger eels lurking in the deeper holds, and the deck is usually busy with curious wrasse and blennies. It’s a moody, atmospheric dive, often with decent visibility, making it one of our favourite deep wrecks in the area. Plan for a decent bottom time to really appreciate the details of this relatively young artificial reef.

Location

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

Coordinates

56.336918, -2.062617

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

51m

Marine Protected Area: Firth of Forth Banks Complex