HMAS Canberra (épave)

Description

The ex-HMAS Canberra, a former warship which served the Australian Navy between 1981 and 2005, is the first artificial reef in Victoria created specifically for diving. The vessel was scuttled off Barwon Heads in October 2009 and now lies in 30 metres of water. Experience the thrill of diving in a shipwreck at the ex-HMAS Canberra. The dive site offers divers the opportunity to explore a large portion of the former Australian Navy ship. Swim over flight decks and through the bridge, engine rooms, galley and the accommodation quarters. The HMAS Canberra was the second of four FFG-7 Class Guided Missile Frigates built for the Royal Australian Navy by Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation Seattle, Washington, USA. The HMAS Canberra was commissioned on 21 March 1981 and de-commissioned on 12 November 2005. The vessel hull is constructed of steel and the superstructure is aluminium alloy. It has an overall length of 138.1 metres and a beam of 13.7 metres. In service, the height from keel to top of the mast was approximately 39 metres. Parts of the ship, including the gas turbine engines, rudder, missile launcher, a section of the mast and propeller were removed by the Navy, prior to it being prepared for use as a dive site. Over time, marine life will continue to colonise the wreck, transforming it into an even more spectacular reef.