wreck

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PHAEACIAN

The Phaeacian is a fascinating, if sombre, dive on Scotland’s East Coast. Lying at 29 metres, this steamship, built in 1920, went down in 1943 after a collision, taking a few lives with her. We find it’s a site that really makes you feel the weight of history. The wreck itself is pretty broken up, but you can still make out the distinct triple-expansion engine, which is always a highlight for us. There are parts of the superstructure scattered around, creating little nooks and crannies that are home to some surprisingly robust local life. Think squat lobsters tucked into every crevice, velvet swimming crabs scuttling over corroded plates, and sometimes a curious conger eel peering out from beneath a beam. The visibility can be hit-or-miss, as is often the way here, but on a good day, with sunlight filtering down, the greens and browns of the wreck are beautifully muted. We’d suggest diving this one on a slack tide, if possible, to really take your time exploring the debris field. It’s a site that rewards patience, giving you a quiet moment to reflect on the ship’s past and the life it now hosts.