ANCAP TERCERO - Mar del Plata

Okay, let's talk about the ANCAP TERCERO. It’s not the deepest wreck you’ll ever dive, sitting in a mere four metres of water, but don’t let that fool you. This isn't a deep blue adventure, it's a history lesson and a surprisingly rich shallow dive. We love it for its accessibility and the sheer volume of life that’s made a home of this old vehicle carrier. She went down in '81 after breaking her moorings in a storm, a real old-school maritime drama unfolding right here in Mar del Plata. You'll spend your time exploring the skeletal remains of her deck and hull, everything covered in a thick carpet of anemones and sponges. Visibility can vary, but on a good day, the sunlight filters through the surface, illuminating schools of silversides darting in and out of the metalwork. Keep an eye out for the crabs, big ones, tucked into every nook and cranny. Our favourite part? The way the wreck creates a protected little ecosystem, even with the surge from passing boat traffic. It's a fantastic site for photographers looking for interesting light and texture, or for newer divers getting comfortable with wreck penetration, albeit very shallow, open-water kind.

Location
Mar del Plata, Argentina, South America
Coordinates
-34.441666, -57.450000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
4m

Wreck History - ANCAP TERCERO

Year Sunk
1981
Vessel Type
tanker
Cause
storm
Tonnage
10,448 GRT

The ANCAP Tercero was a T2-type tanker, a class of vessel famous for its role as the workhorse of the Allied fleet during World War II. After the war, many of these robust tankers were sold for civilian service, and this one found a new life under the flag of ANCAP, the state-owned fuel company of Uruguay. After a long and productive career, the aging vessel was sold to scrap dealers in 1981 and towed to Mar del Plata to be dismantled.

However, the sea had other plans for the venerable ship. On October 4, 1981, while awaiting its fate, a powerful storm struck the coast. The ANCAP Tercero broke free from its moorings, drifting helplessly until it ran aground and sank in the entrance channel of the harbor. Its massive hull became an immediate and significant navigational hazard. Today, it lies in incredibly shallow water, with a maximum depth of only 4 meters, making it less of a scuba dive and more of an underwater landmark to be explored while snorkeling or free diving. Exploring such a huge piece of maritime history in water this shallow is a truly unique experience.

Best Time to Dive in Mar del Plata

The warmest water temperatures in Mar del Plata occur in January, averaging 26.7°C. The coolest conditions are in July at 11.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 26.7°C
  • February: 25.8°C
  • March: 24.1°C
  • April: 20.3°C
  • May: 16.3°C
  • June: 13.0°C
  • July: 11.0°C
  • August: 12.2°C
  • September: 14.8°C
  • October: 18.2°C
  • November: 22.3°C
  • December: 24.8°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Mar del Plata

Nearest Dive Centres to ANCAP TERCERO

Marine Life in Mar del Plata

Home to 33 recorded species including 19 reef fish, 7 sharks & rays, 3 whales & dolphins, 2 other, 1 crabs & lobsters, 1 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ANCAP TERCERO

Based on average water temperature of 19.1°C, currents 3 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 19°C water
  • 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