La Poursuivante Wreck, Ramatuelle: a deep two-part torpedo boat

La Poursuivante is a torpedo boat, originally 80.7 metres long and displacing 630 tonnes. It was intentionally sunk on January 31, 1958, to serve as an underwater target, after a history that saw it launched in 1936, scuttled in Toulon in 1942, refloated in 1943, and finally sinking definitively in 1947 during a towing operation. This history shapes the present state of the wreck: a substantial vessel now lying in two distinct parts on the sand.

The wreck lies broken in two sections, touching but separated by the forces of its sinking. The stern section, including the rudder and propeller housing, rests inclined on its side, while the bow section is inverted, keel-up. This orientation presents different perspectives on the vessel's structure, allowing divers to explore both the upright and overturned aspects of what was once a unified warship. Your descent takes you past these differing sections, each revealing different angles of her past.

The maximum depth on the La Poursuivante reaches 60 metres, specifically around the propeller shafts of the stern section, but the primary dive profile for much of the exploration is maintained around 55 metres. This places the site firmly in the realm of deep diving. Navigating between the two large pieces of the wreck requires attention to your depth and gas management, particularly when tracing the length of the hull sections.

Despite its depth, the wreck attracts a variety of marine life. You can expect to encounter robust species such as conger eels (Conger conger) and moray eels, often found sheltering within the twisted metalwork and beneath overturned plates. Larger crustaceans, including lobsters, are also residents here, making use of the structure for protection. Tacaud and groupers (Epinephelus marginatus) are also observed patrolling the wreck, adding movement to the solemn structure.