Also known as: Kowloon Bridge
At 294 metres long and 169,469 deadweight tonnes, the Kowloon Bridge wreck is one of the largest diveable shipwrecks on the planet. She was a Bridge-class OBO carrier that developed structural cracks in heavy Atlantic weather in November 1986 while carrying 160,000 tonnes of iron ore from Canada. Refused entry to several ports, she broke free from tugs and drifted onto the Stags rocks off Toe Head in West Cork. All 28 crew were helicoptered to safety. The wreckage now sprawls across a wide seabed area from 5 to 34 metres, offering diving for a range of experience levels. Iron ore pellets blanket the site. Marine life is prolific -- seals, large shoals of pollock, conger eels, and dense anemone growth thrive on the scattered hull sections, some of which rise more than 10 metres off the seabed.
In November 1986, the Kowloon Bridge was sailing from Sept-Îles, Canada, to Glasgow with 160,000 tonnes of iron ore when she developed structural cracks in heavy Atlantic weather. She was refused entry to several ports due to the risk of her cargo. On 22 November she broke free from tugs attempting to tow her and drifted onto the Stags rocks off Toe Head, West Cork. All 28 crew were rescued by helicopter. The ship broke apart over the following days, spilling oil that contaminated the coastline.
MV Kowloon Bridge is a cargo vessel wreck located off Cork, Ireland at a depth of 34 metres. The vessel was lost due to grounding in 1986. The wreck is diveable.
MV Kowloon Bridge lies at 5 to 34 metres depth, The Stags rocks, off Toe Head, West Cork.
MV Kowloon Bridge ran aground on 22 November 1986, off Cork, Ireland. 0 people lost their lives.
Diving the MV Kowloon Bridge is rated intermediate and is suitable for divers with an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent. Minimum certification: Open Water Diver. Recommended: Advanced Open Water.
The best months to dive MV Kowloon Bridge are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 8.5°C in winter to 15°C in summer.
MV Kowloon Bridge is accessed by boat from Baltimore, Cork, Ireland.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9.0°C | 5.0m | poor | approximate |
| Feb | 8.5°C | 5.0m | poor | approximate |
| Mar | 9.0°C | 6.0m | fair | increasing |
| Apr | 9.5°C | 7.0m | fair | moderate |
| May | 10.5°C | 9.0m | good | good |
| Jun | 12.0°C | 10.0m | good | good |
| Jul | 14.0°C | 12.0m | good | excellent |
| Aug | 15.0°C | 12.0m | good | excellent |
| Sep | 14.0°C | 10.0m | good | good |
| Oct | 12.5°C | 7.0m | fair | moderate |
| Nov | 11.0°C | 6.0m | poor | moderate |
| Dec | 10.0°C | 5.0m | poor | approximate |
7 evidence records from 7 sources.
Surveyed at Stags Rock off Toe Head, SW Cork
Maximum depth 34m. The wreck is spread over a wide area from 5m to 34m.
Ran aground on the Stags off Toe Head 24 Nov 1986 after developing structural cracks in Atlantic storm
Report on the Kowloon Bridge wreck and conservation efforts.
Detailed account of the Kowloon Bridge grounding and breakup at the Stags, Toe Head, West Cork.
169,469 DWT. Built by Swan Hunter, Haverton Hill in 1973 as the Doris Doreen.
The Stags rocks, off Toe Head, West Cork