Le Ferrando, Hyères: diving a dislocated coal carrier wreck

Le Ferrando lies in the Hyères roadstead, approximately 4 kilometres from Cap des Mèdes, accessible by boat from La Londe-les-Maures. The site presents a dislocated wreck, spread across nearly 80 metres of seabed. The initial descent brings you to the main debris field, where the impact of its sinking in 1893 is evident in the scattered nature of the vessel. This is not a coherent ship outline, but rather a field of remains that requires careful navigation to appreciate its history.

The stern section offers the most recognisable feature of the former coal carrier. You'll find the rudder still in place, providing a clear reference point to the vessel's original orientation. Moving away from the stern, the superstructures have collapsed onto the starboard side, forming a jumble of twisted ironwork. Amidst this, you can still observe curved frames, intact portholes, and the original coal cargo, which remains spread out on both sides of what was once the ship's hold.

Diving Le Ferrando requires attention to detail as you navigate the scattered pieces. The depth ranges from 23 metres at the shallowest points of the debris to 26 metres on the seabed. This depth profile makes it a manageable dive within no-decompression limits for experienced divers. The historical context of the wreck – an English coal carrier from 1888, sunk in a collision in 1893 – adds another layer of interest as you explore the remnants of its final voyage.