Marcel fully loaded
Diving at the SAS Pietermaritzburg
SATS General Botha [more...]

Vessels in the 10 – 30m range


Vessel name SAS Pietermaritzberg M291
Type of vessel SA Navy Minesweeper (ex WW2 HMS Pelorus - Algerine Class)
 
Length App. 65m
Beam  
Draught  
Tonnage 1250
 
Date sunk 19/11/1994
Cause of sinking Scuttled
Approximate position 1 nautical mile from Millers Point, Simonstown
Cargo N/a
Casualties N/a
 
Remarks Led the Allied invasion to Normandy on D-Day. Purposely prepared for penetration. Charges used to scuttle her, which also allows good entry and exits and permits maximum penetration. Challenging penetration due to interior collapsing and being very silty.
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Click to enlarge!





Vessel name MFV Aster
Type of vessel SA Fishing vessel – east coast lobster catcher
 
Length 27m
Beam  
Draught  
Tonnage 340
 
Date sunk 09/08/1997
Cause of sinking Scuttled
Approximate position In the bay of Hout Bay
Cargo N/a
Casualties N/a
 
Remarks Purposely scuttled to form an artificial reef. Well prepared for penetration. Many entries and exits. Good training for penetration courses.


Vessel name MFV Katsu Maru #25
Type of vessel Foreign fishing vessel - trawler
 
Length App. 30m
Beam  
Draught  
Tonnage 299
 
Date sunk 07/08/1978
Cause of sinking Struck unknown object and sunk under tow
Approximate position In the bay of Hout Bay
Cargo Fish
Casualties Unknown, but unlikely
 
Remarks Vessel struck an unknown object and was holed on her port beam. She was towed to Hout Bay harbour, but in the mouth of the bay she took on water and sunk. Lying on her starboard beam she presents a challenging penetration. Conger eels to be seen inside the wreck.
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Vessel name MFV Ker yar vor
Type of vessel SA Fishing vessel
 
Length App. 30m
Beam  
Draught  
Tonnage App. 300
 
Date sunk 10/08/1979
Cause of sinking Unknown; said to be scuttled, but unlikely
Approximate position Maori Bay
Cargo Unknown
Casualties Unknown
 
Remarks A fishing vessel very similar to the MFV Aster, except very broken up. The bow and bridge are intact, whilst mid-ships and her stern are very scattered. She lies on top of another older wreck. Good build up dive if the south easterly wind is blowing.
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Click to enlarge!



Vessel name Bos 400
Type of vessel French Derrick Lay Barge
 
Length App. 100m
Beam  
Draught  
Tonnage 12 000
 
Date sunk 26/06/1994
Cause of sinking Tow rope broke and she ran aground
Approximate position Maori Bay
Cargo N/a
Casualties Nil
 
Remarks Whilst under tow by the Russian tug Tigr during a north westerly gale, the tow parted and she was driven ashore despite repeated towage attempts. Civil litigation is still currently pending. Shallow but tricky penetration is possible, but surge can be a problem. Interesting “industrial” wreckage.
    Click to enlarge!

Click to enlarge!


Vessel name SS Lusitania
Type of vessel Portuguese Twin - screw Passenger Liner
 
Length App. 150m
Beam  
Draught  
Tonnage 5557
 
Date sunk 18/04/1911
Cause of sinking Struck Bellows Rock
Approximate position Off Cape Point
Cargo General, personal effects
Casualties 8
 
Remarks She is very broken up and lies right up against Bellows Rock. Very seldom dived due to unfavourable sea conditions – the swell and surge can be problematic.