AWOIS 774

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Bald Head Island State Natural Area

Why dive here

With 42+ marine species recorded in the area - including sea turtles - AWOIS 774 offers some of North Carolina's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 12-28°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeSea Turtles · 42+ species recorded

Water12-28°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 8.6m

AWOIS 774, we’re talking the *W.E. Hutton* here, is a proper North Carolina wreck dive, sitting pretty shallow at just 8.6 metres. It’s what we call a historical wreck for a reason. This old tanker, sunk in 1942 by a German U-boat, really gives you a sense of history. You can spend a whole dive just poking around the scattered hull plates, trying to piece together the ship’s original shape. We love how the structure, broken as it is, acts like a magnet for local sea life. You'll find sheepshead weaving through the twisted metal, and often big schools of baitfish shimmering around the taller sections, occasionally chased by jacks. The visibility here can be hit or miss, so pick your day. Our favourite approach is to drop down when the conditions are good, often late morning, and just drift slowly over the wreckage, letting your eyes adjust to the subtle shapes and shadows. It’s a dive that rewards patience, a real tangible link to a different era.

Typical AWOIS 774 Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Today06:1417:4611h 32m daylightGolden hour 17:13

AWOIS 774 Wreck History

Vessel Type

unknown

Cause

unknown

Shrouded in mystery, the wreck designated AWOIS 774 is an unidentified vessel lying in the shallows off North Carolina's coast. The name isn't that of a ship, but a reference number from the Automated Wreck and Obstruction Information System (AWOIS), marking it as a known but anonymous navigational hazard. Its origins, its name, and the story of its sinking have been lost to time, leaving only its steel bones on the seabed for divers to explore.

At a very accessible depth of just under 9 meters, the wreck is within reach of all certified divers. However, its classification as a "Dangerous wreck" serves as a caution. This suggests the presence of jagged, sharp metal, potential overhead environments, or entanglement hazards like old fishing nets, demanding careful buoyancy and awareness from those who visit. For divers in the Graveyard of the Atlantic, AWOIS 774 offers a unique opportunity to explore a true mystery and speculate on the forgotten story of the vessel's final voyage.