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  Unit 7, 89 Erindale Road, Balcatta, Perth, Western Australia, 6021

HMAS Swan Wreck Dive Trip


THE HISTORY

The HMAS swan was launched on the 16 December 1967. Designated as a destroyer escort she was 112.8m long and 12.5 m wide. Her displacement was 2700 tons and capable of 30 knots with a range of 4500 miles at 12 knots. She had a crew of 250 officers and seamen.

The launching was an interesting affair with the traditional champagne bottle thrown at her 11 times before finally
she passed down the spillway.

The ship cost $22 million to build and was the most expensive Australian war ship, at that time, to be built.

In September 1996 she was decommissioned and during her career had steamed approximately 800,000 nautical miles. After much deliberation the ship was given to the Geographe Bay Artificial Reef Society who proposed to sink the wreck in a sheltered location 1.3 nautical miles off the shore near Geographe Bay.. With a gathering of over 20,000 spectator’s she came to rest on the bottom on the Ocean in the 14 December 1997.
















The Dive

Each year the wreck becomes more colorful as sponge growth takes hold. Schools of fish can be found in every small compartment and opening. Large Samson Fish are often seen with the occasional dew fish. Even a small and harmless hammer head shark has been reported circling the top decks.

The wreck has been painstakingly prepared for diving and numerous holes cut into the side of the vessel which allows for easy access into the wreck for those with the appropriate training and experience. Although the holes are designed specifically to avoid slit build up it still accumulates in the lower decks and penetration should not be taken lightly . The bottom of the wreck is at 30 meters, the bridge at 12 meters and the tower only 6 meters from the surface.

This trip is available to open water divers as Advanced training and Instructor supervision is included in the trip. Experienced divers are welcome and specialist courses such as Wreck penetration and Photography courses are also available during this trip depending on numbers.

The cost to dive for those already Advanced certified is $229.00 plus fills

















The Trip

This trip is for the double dive on the HMAS Swan, which is a fun dive, the boat normally leaves from  Port Geographe marina around about 0730. it is around 40min to an hours boat journey.. 
Most the time the dive boat will moor up to the wreck bow to bow so descent will be to the front of the HMAS Swan. once you have completed your 1st dive and safety stop, the boat supplies hot beverages and lunch, Surface interval of roughly 60 min to 90 min allowing enough time for your second dive to be within NDL. 
the second dive is the same as the first dive.

This trip is done as an Advanced Diver Training Course and includes training and supervision for approximately the same cost as you will pay for just the gear and charter fees through the local dive shops in Dunsborough and Busselton. As a result it’s one of our most popular trips and early bookings are essential.


WHERE: Dunsborough approximately 3 and half hours south of Perth.
  • Sunday: Depart for Port Geographe Marina 7.30 am by Dive Charter Vessel to the Swan Wreck for two amazing Dives. Both dives and travel are usually completed by around 2.30pm back on land.


Includes

FIVE DIVES – full advanced course – ( Completed over the weekend )

- Wreck Dive – on the HMAS Swan
- Deep Dive – on the HMAS Swan
- All Boat Charter Fees









Costs: $229.00



Excludes

Equipment:

  • Scuba Equipment ( Equipment hire is available for a discounted rate of $50.00 per day for the weekend – $100.00 total.)
  • Slate, Knife, torch and SMB (with whistle).a dive computer, compass and two cylinders are recommended.

Transportation:
normally groups are organized to share cars and transport costs



Bookings

This is one of our most popular Dive trip and is normally booked out early. A booking information sheet will be mailed to you once we receive your $300.00 Deposit. You can either drop into the shop or give us your credit card details over the phone and an information sheet can be mailed out to you.

(Refund of course deposits given at the discretion of Diving Frontiers. We reserve the right to charge a $100.00 deferment or cancellation fee for alteration of booking dates done within 7 days preceding a Trip.)