Swanage Wreck information - Fleur de Lys

Dive Site: Fleur de Lys / Swanage Bay drift
Location: 50°37.4N; 001°56.0W Swanage Bay
Description: Fishing boat wreck & drift dive
Length: 16.4 metres (54 feet)
Depth: 13 metres (43 feet)

The Fleur is a relatively recent wreck and while she is fairly small she is a great dive fro novices. The boat was built in France in 1969 and was bought by her British owners in 1989. She sank on 16th April 2000 following an on board explosion.

The Fleur was returning from a fishing trip and was on route to Brixham with four people on board. The hot water system had started to malfunction and it has been reported that steam was coming out of the hot water taps. A pressure build up in the hot water storage tank led to the explosion that was severe enough to rupture the oak hull. This was near Portland Bill and the four crew all managed to get off the boat despite the life raft failing. Attempts were made to tow the stricken vessel to Poole but to no avail so she was abandoned in her current position just inside Swanage bay.

The wreck is now permanently marked. The site is small and the wreck is now substantially broken up. There is plenty of life on her with Bib, lobsters and crab in evidence. The depth and size means the wreck can be thoroughly explored. The recommendation is to take at least twenty minutes looking in all the nooks and crannies before coming off and drifting into Swanage Bay.

Once off the wreck the drift is not too inspiring and the mud in the area does lead to poorer vis. You should still see crabs, dogfish and gobbies along the way.