CAROL ANN - Scottish West Coast
The Carol Ann isn't a deep dive, sitting in just 7 metres of water off Rhemor Point. But don't let the shallowness fool you. This 17-metre fishing vessel, which went aground back in '71, is surprisingly intact for its age and exposure. We love how the wreck is easily accessible, making it a brilliant second dive or even a first for those getting comfortable in a drysuit. You’ll find the bow section relatively broken, but the stern, with its propeller and rudder still in place, offers a great rummage. We’ve often found dogfish tucked into crevices and ling lurking under plating here. The engine room is open, a tangle of pipes and machinery, now a haven for squat lobsters and small crabs. Visibility can be a bit variable, but on a good day, the light penetration makes the reds and greens of the anemones and seaweeds on the wreck really pop. It's a great spot for newer wreck divers or anyone who appreciates a bit of history without the nitrogen narcosis. Just watch the currents; they can pick up a bit around the point.
- Location
- Scottish West Coast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 56.582150, -5.959950
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 7m
Wreck History - CAROL ANN
- Year Sunk
- 1971
- Vessel Type
- fishing vessel
- Cause
- grounding
The Carol Ann, a 17-meter fishing vessel, met her end on November 18, 1971, on the wild west coast of Scotland. While on passage from Campbeltown to Tobermory, she ran aground on Rhemore Point, forcing her three crew members to swim to the safety of the shore. Lying in just 7 meters of water, the wreck is a fantastic and highly accessible site for divers of all levels, as well as snorkelers. Its shallow depth means plenty of light and virtually unlimited bottom time for exploration. The vessel is broken up due to its exposed location, but its remains provide an excellent habitat for crabs, lobsters, and other local marine life. The wreck is classified as 'dangerous', likely due to sharp metal edges or potential entanglement hazards, so divers should maintain good buoyancy and awareness while exploring this interesting piece of local maritime history.
Marine Protected Area: Loch Sunart
Nearby Dive Sites in Scottish West Coast
- ACCORD - 9m (wreck)
- ADONO - 10m (wreck)
- ADROLIS - 5m (wreck)
- AGATE - 10m (wreck)
- AGIOS MINAS - 10m (wreck)
- AKKA - 28m (wreck)
- ALBIA - 10m (wreck)
- ALEXANDER - 10m (wreck)
- AMY JANE - 52m (wreck)
- AMY (POSSIBLY) - 38m (wreck)
- ANGELA - 5m (wreck)
- ANNIE JANE - 29m (wreck)
- ANNIE MC FADYEN - 7m (wreck)
- ANNIE MELLING - 54m (wreck)
- ANWOTH - 0m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to CAROL ANN
- Aquaholics - ["PADI"]
- C&C MARINE SERVICES
- Eagle Divers NI - ["PADI"]
- Field Studies Council Millport
- Freedive Northern Ireland
- Fyne Diving - ["PADI"]
Marine Life in Scottish West Coast
Home to 127 recorded species including 50 reef fish, 15 whales & dolphins, 10 seagrass & algae, 9 sharks & rays, 8 other, 7 crabs & lobsters.
Notable Species
- harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) - Whales & Dolphins
- Common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) - Whales & Dolphins
- Common sea star (Asterias rubens) - Starfish
- Devonshire cup coral (Caryophyllia (Caryophyllia) smithii) - Hard Corals
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) - Sharks & Rays
- Common shore crab (Carcinus maenas) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Common brittlestar (Ophiothrix fragilis)
- Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) - Whales & Dolphins
- Acorn barnacle (Semibalanus balanoides)
- Light-bulb sea squirt (Clavelina lepadiformis)
- bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus) - Seagrass & Algae
- Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) - Clams & Mussels
- Norway Lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Sand mason (Lanice conchilega) - Worms
- Dog whelk (Nucella lapillus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- knotted wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum) - Seagrass & Algae
- Edible periwinkle (Littorina littorea) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Star ascidian (Botryllus schlosseri)
- Common whelk (Buccinum undatum) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs