Wreck José Illueca

42° 28′ 110″ North and 3° 11′ 587″ East.
Depth: castle 70 m – bottom 79 m

ACCEssiBLE only to hypoxic trimix divers

The wreckage of the Illueca José, located off Port-Vendres, is a fascinating and history of history. This freighter, built in 1922 in Gdansk, was sunk by British hunters on April 19, 1944, during the Second World War.

Characteristics of the wreckage

• History The José Illueca was a cargo ship measuring 46 meters by 7.50 meters, built in 1922 in Gdańsk. Sold in 1944 to the José Illueca shipping company, based in Las Palmas, it flew the Spanish flag. On April 19, 1944, it was attacked and sunk off Port-Vendres/Cerbère by a British squadron. It was suspected of carrying ore useful to the German war effort, despite its neutrality markings.

  This is the deepest wreck in the usual area of CAP Port-Vendres.

• Structure and Exploration : The wreck of the José Illueca is relatively well preserved, despite the decades it has spent underwater. Divers can observe the ship's structure, which testifies to the maritime engineering of the time.
• Location : The wreck lies between 70 and 79 meters deep, near Cerbère and the nature reserve. This is not a Level 2 dive. It is suitable for hypoxic trimix or ccr, in good sea conditions. Current and visibility make the site challenging; it is dived less frequently than le Bananier or the Saumur.
• Marine Life : Dense fauna on a rarely visited shipwreck
• Access and Safety : This site is recommended for experienced divers due to the depth and complexity of the wreck. Proper preparation is necessary, and the use of powerful underwater lights is required to explore the darker areas of the wreck.