Cape Ann & Stellwagen Bank · United States · Wreck
Josephine Marie
An upturned red and black trawler at 32 m (105 ft)
Photo: Doug Costa, NOAA/SBNMS · Public domain
The Josephine Marie is a 24-metre (80-foot) steel-hulled stern trawler, built in 1969, that fished Massachusetts Bay until it was lost on 1 February 1992. It lies upside down in 32 m (105 ft) on the southern end of Stellwagen Bank, a deep cold-water dive with strong currents.
Where it is and how deep
42.1821° N, 70.2244° WPublished position for this site.
The dive
The Josephine Marie lies on the southern end of Stellwagen Bank in 32 m (105 ft) of water. Currents here can be strong, so the descent is made with a firm plan for reaching the bottom together. The wreck is a red and black hull, lying upside down with its bow facing roughly southeast, which helps with orientation on arrival.
The hull is 24 m (80 ft) long, and at this depth a single dive covers part of it rather than all of it. Fishing gear can be caught on the wreck and is an entanglement risk, so keep clear of loose lines and nets. Watch gas and time closely and start the ascent with enough margin to handle the current on the way up.
The wreck
- Vessel
- Josephine Marie
- Type
- Steel-hulled stern trawler
- Length
- 24 m (79 ft)
- Built
- 1969
- Sunk
- 1992
- Cause
- Disaster struck on 1 February 1992; no cause is published
- Lies
- Upside down in 32 m (105 ft), bow facing roughly southeast, on the southern end of Stellwagen Bank
The Josephine Marie was an 80-foot (24 m) steel-hulled stern trawler built in 1969. It fished Massachusetts Bay for more than two decades, until disaster struck on 1 February 1992. The wreck lies on the southern end of Stellwagen Bank. The red and black hull now lies upside down in 32 m (105 ft) of water inside the national marine sanctuary.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair |
Season follows Cape Ann & Stellwagen Bank: Cape Ann Diver II generally runs from 1 April to 31 October; winter and off-season diving depends on weather and demand.
Know before you go
- Strong currents on the bank; descend and ascend together and keep a firm plan for the line.
- Entangling fishing gear on the wreck; carry a cutting tool and keep clear of loose lines and nets.
Dive videos
Dive Site: F/V Josephine Marie Shipwreck in the Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary 2008 · Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How deep is the Josephine Marie wreck?+
The Josephine Marie lies upside down in 32 m (105 ft) of water on the southern end of Stellwagen Bank.
What are the hazards on the Josephine Marie?+
Strong currents and entangling fishing gear; it is a deep dive for advanced divers.
Sources
- Dive Sites, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary — NOAA
- FAQ, Cape Ann Diver II — Cape Ann Diver II
Photo credits
- A spiny dogfish swimming low over a shelly sand seabed by Doug Costa, NOAA/SBNMS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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