Braer Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category distributed remains of wreck
Braer Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		59 53.416 N,1 21.577 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 59.890267
  • Longitude: -1.359617
Wreck Depth 5.24 m
Water Depth 13 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name BRAER
Type tanker
Flag LR
Length 241.7 m
Width 39.9 m
Draught 14
Sonar Length 219
Sonar Width 59.3
Shadow Height 5.9
Orientation 324
Tonnage 44989
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo oil
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Jan 5, 1993
Bottom Texture Rock
Original Detection Year 1993
Last Detection Year 2025
Original Source Lloyd's and Marine Underwriter's reports
Last Amended Date Sep 3, 2025

Surveying Details

HH270/440/04 27.1.93 HARD AGROUND IN 595330N, 012130W ON JAGGED ROCKS AT BASE OF 80FT HIGH CLIFF AT GARTHS NESS. BROKEN INTO AT LEAST 4 PARTS. STERN SECTION, WITH SUPERSTRUCTURE AND FUNNEL, HAS ROLLED TOWARDS THE CLIFFS WITH A 30DEG LIST. (LLOYDS VOL.291). INS AS ST PA. BR STD. HH270/440/04 16.2.93 WK IN 595324N, 012124W. ONLY BOW SECTION NOW SHOWS. AN AREA, RADIUS 500MTRS, CENTRED ON WK HAS BEEN DECLARED A PROHIBITED AREA BY DEPT OF TRANSPORT. (SHETLAND IS COUNCIL NM 3/93; TELECON J DIXON/J PUGH, DTD 16.2.93). INS AS DWP WITH BOW SECTION STF AND PROHIBITED AREA, 500MTRS RADIUS CENTRED ON WK. - NM 791/93. HH270/440/04 18.3.93 WK NOW ONLY SHOWS ABOUT 2MTRS ABOVE SURFACE. ALL CARGO HAS BEEN WASHED OUT. (LLOYDS VOL.291). NCA. HH270/440/08 19.12.00 BOW SECTION OF WK SANK WITHOUT TRACE LAST SUMMER. VISIBLE WK CAN BE DELETED. (J DICKINSON, SHETLANDS ISLAND COUNCIL, EMAIL DTD 17.11.00). AMEND TO DWP. LENGTH 240MTRS, WIDTH 40MTRS. LYING 160/340DEGS. - NM 124/01. HH270/440/08 5.2.01 VESSEL NO LONGER CONSIDERED A POTENTIAL DANGER TO LIFE OR PROPERTY. PROHIBITED AREA REVOKED. (STATUTORY INSTUMENT 2372/94 DTD 9.9.94 [NOT REC'D IN UKHO]). DELETE PROHIBITED AREA. - NM 888/01. RSDRA2025000406869 02.09.25 EXAM'D 18.3.2025; WK LOCATED IN 5953.416N, 0121.577W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH 5.24MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 13MTRS. LENGTH 219MTRS, WIDTH 59.3MTRS, HT 5.9MTRS, ORIENTATION 324/144 DEGS. VERY DEGRADED WK BROKEN UP. (NJORD SURVEY AB, HI1782, H525-551). AMEND DIST REMAINS OF WK 5.2MTRS IN REVISED POSN.

Circumstances of loss

EX-HELESPONT PRIDE '85, EX-BRAE TRADER. BUILT IN 1975 BY OSHIMA SHIPBULDING CO LTD, NAGASAKI. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY HANCOCK SHIPPING LTD. 9 CYLINDER OIL ENGINE OF 20,300BHP, SINGLE SHAFT. PASSAGE MONGSAN, NORWAY FOR QUEBEC. STOWED 16 FOOT STEEL PIPES BECAME LOOSE IN HEAVY WEATHER BUT MASTER DECIDED NOT TO RESECURE UNTIL WEATER MODERATED. FOLLOWING FAILURE OF THE BOILER WHICH HEATED HEAVY FUEL OIL FOR THE ENGINE, THE FUEL ENGINE WAS SWITCHED TO DIESEL FUEL. THE DIESEL WAS, HOWEVER, CONTAMINATED WITH WATER AFTER WATER INGRESS THROUGH TANK VENTS CAUSED BY THE UNSECURED PIPES. LOST POWER, ABANDONED BY CREW AND WAS EVENTUALLY BLOWN ASHORE WHERE SHE BROKE UP WITHIN DAYS, LOSING MOST OF HER CARGO. (SIBI).

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 59 53.416 N,1 21.577 W
Braer on Wreck Map Braer Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the BRAER wreck located?

The BRAER wreck is located at coordinates 59 53.416 N,1 21.577 W.

How deep is the BRAER and where exactly is it located?

The BRAER lies at a depth of about 5.24 meters and is located at coordinates 59 53.416 N,1 21.577 W.

How deep is the seabed around the BRAER?

The seabed around the BRAER lies at approximately 13 meters deep.

When did the BRAER sink?

The BRAER sank on Jan 5, 1993.

When was the wreck of the BRAER discovered?

The wreck of the BRAER was discovered in 1993.

What country did the BRAER belong to?

The BRAER belonged to LR.

What cargo was the BRAER carrying?

The BRAER was carrying oil.

What was the tonnage of the BRAER?

The BRAER had a tonnage of 44989 tons.

What type of wreck is the BRAER?

The BRAER is classified as a tanker.

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