Reefwander
Gloucester's waterfront of brick buildings, steeples and moored boats seen across the open harbour — Cape Ann & Stellwagen Bank

Cape Ann & Stellwagen Bank · United States · Wreck

Patriot

A 2009 fishing-boat wreck on its side at 30 m (100 ft)

Area photo: Paul Keleher from Mass, US · CC BY 2.0

The Patriot is a 19-metre (62-foot) steel-hulled dragger that sank while fishing in 2009 on the northwest corner of Stellwagen Bank. It lies on its starboard side in 30 m (100 ft) of water and is now home to schools of pollock and other groundfish.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Patriot: typical dive to 30 m (to 100 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit30 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

42.4043° N, 70.4533° WPublished position for this site.

The dive

The Patriot lies on the northwest corner of Stellwagen Bank, a boat ride out from Gloucester. The wreck rests on its starboard side in 30 m (100 ft) of water, so the descent is a deep one in cold water and the bottom time is short. The hull is 19 m (62 ft) long, small enough to circle on a single dive.

Schools of pollock and other groundfish now live around the wreck, and the outline of the Patriot's name can still be seen on the hull. Watch for entangling fishing nets on the wreck, and leave it undisturbed. Finish the tour with enough gas for a controlled ascent and safety stop in open water.

The wreck

Vessel
Patriot
Type
Steel-hulled dragger (fishing vessel)
Length
19 m (62 ft)
Sunk
2009
Cause
Sank while fishing
Lies
On its starboard side in 30 m (100 ft) on the northwest corner of Stellwagen Bank

Marine life and season

The sources we used don't single out particular species here.

Month-by-month season rating for Patriot
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FairFairFairGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodFairFair

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

  • Entangling fishing nets can be caught on the wreck; carry a cutting tool and keep clear of loose netting.

Dive videos

The Patriot Aug 2014 · East Coast Divers on YouTube

Questions divers ask

How deep is the Patriot wreck on Stellwagen Bank?+

The Patriot lies on its starboard side in 30 m (100 ft) of water on the northwest corner of Stellwagen Bank.

What lives on the Patriot wreck?+

The wreck is home to schools of pollock and other groundfish.

Sources

  1. Dive Sites, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary — NOAA
  2. Cape Ann Diving — Cape Ann Diving

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