B-24 Liberator

Depth (min. - max.): - 19 m and -22 m 

Type of dive: Plain wreck 

Snorkeling: No 

• Site Characteristics:

This wreck is the remains of a U.S. bomber lost in the night of 30 November 1943, during the 2nd World War. It was a four-engine bomber, B-24 Liberator PB4Y from the U.S. Navy, which was working in anti-submarine patrol in the Gulf of Cadiz. With a crew of eleven, six died at the time of the crash, the rest were saved by a fisherman who was nearby that night. 

You can see the complete structure of the two wings and a part of the fuselage. It has 34 meters wingspan, and it’s turned upside down. The propellers have been moved, but one can still see the engines, as well as the wells for the collection of the landing gear. The fuselage, the main body of the aircraft, disappeared and is still subject of a lot of searches. Around the wreck is an extensive debris field, where we highlight two of the propellers, a motor rotor and stabilizer.

Since 2009, this diving site has been subject of study in the Eco Sub project. This project provides an ecological tour around the wreck, with in loco information about the existent fauna.

• Fauna:

The B-24 is now a beautiful artificial reef, in which the wing structure serves as a shelter to a huge cloud of bibs. The internal structure of the wing, with all the ribs, is the perfect habitat for a large number os species, as toadfishes, groupers, gobies, crabs, octopus, shrimps and lobster! Numerous conger eels and even some moray eels also live on the wreck. 

• Diving Tips:

During the descent, you have to control your buoyancy very well to prevent damage in the wreck structure when you get to the bottom. Explore carefully, slowly and in detail the structure of the wing. There are many details which must be observed carefully. Then, go to the southern edge of the wing where there is a cable that connects to the horizontal stabilizer of the tail. After that, go back to the wing and check your air. If you got enough air and bottom time, follow the direction

indicated by the guide, towards the remaining debris. This is one of those dives that our curiosity and navigation skills can be put to the test.