The search is on for a hardboat to take relatives to the site of the M2 wreck to mark the 80th anniversary of its sinking.

BSAC divers are currently working with the Nautical Archaeology Society to coordinate the trip to the M2, an experimental submarine which sunk off Portland in 1932.

A recent commemorative dive on the wreck, organised by BSAC’s Underwater Heritage Adviser Jane Maddocks was postponed due to the weather and will now be held later in the year. But the publicity surrounding the commemorative dive has seen numerous relatives of the 58 M2 crew members come forward, wanting to pay their own respects.

As one of the UK’s best dives and now a designated war grave, the M2 is a favourite site for many UK divers. The sub, which carried a two-seater biplane in a watertight hangar on its deck, sank about three miles off Portland.

All 58 crew members, including two airmen, perished, and only two bodies were ever recovered.

An appeal has now been launched to find a boat suitable so that the families of the men who perished can visit the wreck site to pay their respects. Due to the age of many of the relatives, the boat will need to have sufficient deck space, easy access and toilets.

The search for a suitable boat has the full backing of BSAC Chief Executive, Mary Tetley. She said: "It is important, even after all these years, that we remember those who perished and their sacrifice. If a suitable boat can be found, we hope that family members will also be able to visit the site so that they can pay their respects and have closure."

Can you help with a boat for the families to visit the site? Email mark@nauticalarchaeologysociety.org