Ocean Grove Voice July 13, 2011 Wreck dive site closed Four months after Parks Victoria warned divers about visiting the ex-HMAS Canberra dive site, the scuttled ship is now closed. Oz Dive Boat Charters owner Tom Wende visits other wrecks off the...

Ocean Grove Voice
July 13, 2011

Wreck dive site closed
Four months after Parks Victoria warned divers about visiting the ex-HMAS Canberra dive site, the scuttled ship is now closed.

Oz Dive Boat Charters owner Tom Wende visits other wrecks off the Victoria coast that date back to 100 years old and Tom said he was disappointed that the Canberra had come apart so soon after it was scuttled.

“It’s a pity that it hasn’t lasted more than two years” he said

Click here to read full article or visit http://www.oceangrovevoice.com/2011/07/ship-temporarily-shut/

Pictured above is the ex-HMAS Canberra frigate which was scuttled on October 4 2009 off the Geelong coast and is the identical sister ship of ex-HMAS Adelaide. 

Our government spent $10 million of our taxpayer dollars to sink the wrong ship in the wrong place for a comparatively small financial gain and timeframe.

8 years ago

HMAS Canberra is falling over and breaking up 15 months after scuttling

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HMAS Canberra is a sister ship of HMAS Adelaide and was sunk off Barwon Heads near Geelong, Victoria in October 2009.

The vessel is now leaning over sharply and already beginning to break up which is creating debris in the ocean and serious risks for divers. Debris is also washing up on the beach, which is 2.3kms away.

exHMAS Adelaide site is only 1.4km from North Avoca and 1.63km from South Avoca beaches, the closest scuttled warship to a populated area.

On January 28, 2011 a Hazard Warning Advice Notice for the ex HMAS Canberra Dive Site was issued:

“Warning to recreational divers”
The Helicopter Hanger on the port side of the HMAS Canberra vessel has come adrift from the super structure and the frames and plating on the port side are mobile and moving 30mm vertically and 150mm horizontally which may be a hazard to diving within this area as the structure may move unexpectedly. 

There is also a large number of loose and mobile items in the lower deck and mid ships areas of the vessel that includes, lockers, cabinets, panelling and ducting. This may pose a danger to divers from items moving/falling and blocking access points especially on the lower starboard side of the vessel.

Take particular care when diving around the lower deck and engine areas where sediment and loose items has restricted access at some exit/entry points and the issues around the helicopter hangar area. It is strongly recommended that recreational divers stay away from these areas to avoid the risk of personal injury.

Parks Victoria is currently in the process of addressing these issues and will provide further advice as soon as possible.“

Can you imagine how many hazard warnings they will need to issue if they ever sink HMAS Adelaide in the swell at Avoca.

For more information visit
http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=294
http://www.hmascanberra.com.au/sink-the-canberra.htm
http://www.hmascanberra.com/galleries/scuttling.html

Related Media
http://www.nbntv.com.au/index.php/2011/02/16/hmas-adelaide-could-deteriorate-like-the-canberra-frigate
NBN TV News 27-02-2011

http://www.smh.com.au/national/call-to-stop-scuttling-as-sister-ship-breaks-up-20110208-1alq4.html
page 2 Sydney Morning Herald 9-2-2011

9 years ago