BERTRAM RICKMERS - Dahlak Archipelago

The Bertram Rickmers in Eritrea's Dahlak Archipelago is a real time capsule. We think it’s one of the most atmospheric wrecks in the Red Sea, sitting perfectly upright at a comfortable 17 metres. You drop down onto the main deck, often with schooling fusiliers swirling around the superstructure. The bow section is our favourite, still quite intact, with the anchor chains spilling out into the sand. You can spend a good chunk of your dive exploring the open cargo holds, where sunlight streaks through, illuminating the internal structure. Look closely, and you’ll spot crocodilefish camouflaged on the deck plates and moray eels peeking from beneath twisted metal. It’s a great site for photographers because of the shallow depth and generally good visibility. We've found the early morning dives here are often the calmest, with fewer currents. It’s a wreck that tells a story, rather than just being a pile of metal, perfect for divers who appreciate a bit of history with their reef.

Location
Dahlak Archipelago, Eritrea, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
14.123333, 41.616665
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
17m

Wreck History - BERTRAM RICKMERS

Year Sunk
1941
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
scuttled

The Bertram Rickmers is a ghost of the Second World War's East African Campaign, sunk not by enemy action, but by a deliberate act of denial. In early 1941, the Italian Red Sea Flotilla and other Axis ships were trapped in the port of Massawa, Eritrea, by the Royal Navy. As British and Commonwealth forces closed in on the port, the Italian commander gave the order to scuttle the fleet to prevent the ships and harbor facilities from falling into Allied hands. In April 1941, the German freighter Bertram Rickmers was one of more than thirty vessels intentionally sent to the bottom.

Today, the Bertram Rickmers rests at a depth of 17 meters in the Dahlak Archipelago, a premier wreck diving destination in the Red Sea. The ship is a highlight of liveaboard trips exploring the 'ghost fleet' of Massawa. Divers can explore the largely intact structure, which has become a thriving artificial reef, colonized by corals and home to a vast array of Red Sea fish. Swimming through its historic remains offers a direct connection to a lesser-known chapter of WWII maritime history.

Best Time to Dive in Dahlak Archipelago

The warmest water temperatures in Dahlak Archipelago occur in January, averaging 27.7°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.7°C (air: 26.2°C)
  • February: 27.7°C (air: 26.3°C)
  • March: 27.7°C (air: 28.0°C)
  • April: 27.7°C (air: 30.1°C)
  • May: 27.7°C (air: 31.9°C)
  • June: 27.7°C (air: 33.4°C)
  • July: 27.7°C (air: 34.6°C)
  • August: 27.7°C (air: 33.9°C)
  • September: 27.7°C (air: 33.5°C)
  • October: 27.7°C (air: 32.1°C)
  • November: 27.7°C (air: 29.5°C)
  • December: 27.7°C (air: 27.5°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Dahlak Archipelago

Marine Life in Dahlak Archipelago

Home to 83 recorded species including 59 reef fish, 6 seagrass & algae, 4 whales & dolphins, 4 sharks & rays, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for BERTRAM RICKMERS

Based on average water temperature of 27.7°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories