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SaltwaterHistoric WreckBoat DiveUnverified

NBM Dive Site Resource

German Submarine U-853

Rhode Island Sound east of Block Island, Rhode Island, United States

A named RI wreck currently documented for recreational, advanced or technical diving; the exact position is intentionally not presented as a navigation waypoint.

Save this dive site to your free member profile.

Historic Photograph

Synthetic-aperture sonar image of the wreck of German submarine U-853.
Exact NOAA sonar imagery of U-853, the protected war-grave dive site east of Block Island.NOAA Ocean Exploration; via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Source ↗
WaterMarine
AccessBoat or qualified charter access; use current charts and the operating captain rather than this record for navigation.
ExperienceAdvanced or technical wreck divers with redundant gas, decompression and overhead discipline
Maximum depthApproximately 130 ft / 40 m
Best seasonMost activity is seasonal; weather, water temperature, park rules, current and operator availability control access.
VisibilityVariable Northeast visibility, often reduced by plankton, runoff, swell, tide and bottom disturbance.

Aquatic life at this dive site

What divers may encounter

Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Profile connection reserved

Aquatic life research in progress

NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.

Site media

Photographs

Three views rotate from the published gallery on each visit.
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending
Illustrated scuba diver reserved for a future dive-site photograph
Dive Photograph PlaceholderDive-site photograph pending

Contributor media

Dive videos

Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending
Dive-site video pending

Regional location and nearby land

Location map

Regional overview includes the nearby coast for orientation. It does not establish a navigation waypoint or an entry location.
Map areaBlock Island and the Rhode Island coast
Open regional map ↗
Map zoom level 6 of 11

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Recent field observations

Diver-reported temperatures

Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.
Automatically checked
No recent diver reports from the past 14 days

A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.

Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.

Diver field observation

Report temperatures

Reports publish automatically when the date, depths, and temperatures pass the checks. You must be signed in to submit.

Depth readings

Why divers know this place

Highlights

Historic wreck structure, marine habitat and Northeast wreck-diving conditions.

Before you arrive

Access notes

Protected war grave. Do not disturb remains or artifacts. Penetration is exceptionally hazardous and requires appropriate technical training.

Plan within your training

Conditions and hazards

Cold, low visibility, current, surge, entangling fishing gear, sharp metal, collapse, overheads, boat traffic and depth-dependent decompression exposure.

At the site

Facilities and support

Facilities vary and are not guaranteed; verify before departure.

Independent resource notice

This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.