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Published Sep 22, 2022Sheltered breakwater wreck, popularity, silt sensitivity, visibility, and marine life.
Countess of Erne
Countess of Erne: sheltered Portland Harbour wreck
Scuba DivingBoatBeginner8m - 16m
Wreck
Boat-accessed wreck inside the Portland breakwater, with open holds, gentle flow, and silty conditions that reward careful buoyancy.
About Countess of Erne
A historic Portland Harbour wreck built as an iron paddle steamer in 1868 and later reused as a coal hulk. After breaking moorings in 1935, it drifted onto the breakwater and settled upright inside the harbour. The open cargo spaces, silty bottom, and sheltered water make it a classic local training dive. It is easy to find, but silt can obscure the structure quickly if finning is sloppy.
Safety & Access
Site Conditions
Overhead environmentLow visibility
Safety Notes
The open holds allow penetration; use appropriate wreck-diving precautions. The silty bottom can reduce visibility if disturbed.
Access Restrictions
Boat dive only. Stay with the skipper's shotline or DSMB plan and keep clear of harbour traffic and the breakwater.
Legal Notes
Follow standard Portland Harbour traffic rules and skipper instructions; the wreck sits close to an active harbour entrance.
Where Is Countess of Erne?
Featured Operators
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Local Intel For Countess of Erne
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
A classic harbour wreck dive for buoyancy practice, wreck exploration, and shallow training drills in open cargo spaces.
Freediving
Not a typical freedive site; the useful structure sits below comfortable surface viewing and the site is better suited to scuba and club boat dives.
Snorkeling
Not a practical snorkel site; the wreck is boat-accessed and the main structure sits below comfortable snorkel range.
Wildlife at Countess of Erne
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Research Estimate At Countess of Erne
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Avg. Visibility5m
Access2/5 · Challenging entry effort
Coral2/5 · Some damage
Aquatic Life4/5 · Great variety
Facilities4/5 · Good facilities
Crowd / PopularityQuite busy
CurrentLight current
SurgeFlat calm
