Bowbelle Bom Rei Dive Site

Dive Type: Bowbelle Shipwreck

This Sand dredger which sank on 25 March 1996 was known as the Bom Rei. However, in its shadowy past it was also known as the Bowbelle. On the 29 August 1989, the Bowbelle was involved in a tragic accident on the river Thames in London, UK, as it rammed the dance-club boat called the Marchioness. The sad result of the accident was 51 dead. A year later, the boat was sold to a Madeiran company as a sand digger and renamed the Bom Rei.

During routine sand dredging operations, the boat broke in the middle and sank at a depth of 32 metres, about 45 mins by boat from Funchal, Madeira. After intensive searching, the Bom Rei was discovered six months later by the Tubarao Madeira Diving Organisation. Since then it has become a popular spot for divers.

The wreck is still in good condition and offers refuge to a varied range of fish and marine life. After only a short time, marine plants grew in abundance on the wreck and the boat has become a pulling point for underwater photographers and video enthusiasts. Due to its relatively shallow location (from 22 metres) this wreck is the ideal location for the special wreck diving course.

There are so many interesting points to see that more than one dive will be necessary. This is a great opportunity for NITROX diving. Strewn around the ship are many parts, such as the vacuum head, chains and ripped off pipes. The boat is partly clear underneath enabling divers to swim under the belly.

The digger which is situated on the sand filled deck offers a home to various Moray Eels. At the forward end of the ship, two large Groupers have made a home.

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