Charted as CETA (STERN SECTION), 'partial wreck' in the Marine zone. A dangerous wreck.
Vessel remains:
Lies in position 50°50.32N, 001°51.63E at a depth of 22m in a general depth of 31m.
Sonar length: 60m. Orientation: 175°
The fact that the wreck comprised only the stern section of the vessel was first commented upon in 1989. (1, 15.9.89)
Previous reports omit this detail which could suggest that she underwent partial salvage at some point, although this
does not seem to have been documented. No other information about her present condition is available.
Reports on the wreckage prior to 1989 provide contradictory information, so the basis for her present identification as
the CETA, made in 1983) is not known.
Documentary evidence:
When dived(?) in February 1978, she was 'reported as a steel trawler in good condition sitting upright in 108ft of water.
Stand[ing] about 35ft above the seabed [with] mast collapsed, starboard anchor laid out, [and] no obvious damage.'
Although her name was not found. She seems to have been snagged on a trawl net (1, 3.8.76) which may be what
prompted this (first?) diver examination.
When subsequently dived in June 1978, the wreck was described as that of 'a small coaster referred to locally as the
Dutchman, and reportedly sank about 9 years ago.' This seems to tally with the known details of the CETA, although
her cargo was reported as grain, she was described as 'upright, standing 35ft high in GD 110ft [with her] funnel [being]
the highest part. Lies with bow [to the] north.' (1, 19.7.78)
If she is indeed the CETA, she sank 'following a collision with the Italian motor tanker PUNTA CERVO in fog', while
making her way from Par to Amsterdam with a china clay cargo. It is not clear why a dive report from 1978
names her cargo as grain, was there a mis-identification of the cargo, a mis-reported cargo on that final journey in the
documentary evidence, or is the vessel not the CETA?
Source 4 shows several photographs of the vessel in service.
Built: 1963
Builder: Voorwaarts
Where built: Martenshoek
LBD: 50.33 x 7.98 x 3.18m ; 50.29 x 7.98 x 2.9m
Tonnage: 400 grt ; 485 displ.
Propulsion: 4 stroke Single Acting 6-cylinder diesel engine.
HP: 510
Speed: 11 knots ; 9.5 knots
Crew lost: 2. The number of crew saved is not known.
Owned by: Ceta Shipping Company, Gruno, Amsterdam. She was laid down as the BLUE ANCHOR but never sailed
under that name.
Source 6 states that the captain and one other crewman went down with the ship when she foundered, but that 'the
rest of the crew was rescued by the PUNTA CERVO'.
Source 6 also shows a photograph of the vessel.