Vessels in the 10 – 30m range
Vessel name |
SAS Pietermaritzberg M291 |
Type of vessel |
SA Navy Minesweeper (ex WW2
HMS Pelorus - Algerine Class) |
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Length |
App. 65m |
Beam |
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Draught |
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Tonnage |
1250 |
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Date sunk |
19/11/1994 |
Cause of sinking |
Scuttled |
Approximate position |
1 nautical mile from Millers
Point, Simonstown |
Cargo |
N/a |
Casualties |
N/a |
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|
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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Vessel name |
MFV Aster |
Type of vessel |
SA Fishing vessel – east
coast lobster catcher |
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|
Length |
27m |
Beam |
|
Draught |
|
Tonnage |
340 |
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|
Date sunk |
09/08/1997 |
Cause of sinking |
Scuttled |
Approximate position |
In the bay of Hout Bay |
Cargo |
N/a |
Casualties |
N/a |
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|
Remarks |
Purposely scuttled to form an artificial
reef. Well prepared for penetration. Many entries and
exits. Good training for penetration courses. |
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Vessel name |
MFV Katsu Maru #25 |
Type of vessel |
Foreign fishing vessel - trawler |
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|
Length |
App. 30m |
Beam |
|
Draught |
|
Tonnage |
299 |
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|
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 |
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|
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 |
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|
Length |
App. 30m |
Beam |
|
Draught |
|
Tonnage |
App. 300 |
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|
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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Vessel name |
Bos 400 |
Type of vessel |
French Derrick Lay Barge |
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|
Length |
App. 100m |
Beam |
|
Draught |
|
Tonnage |
12 000 |
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|
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. |
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Vessel name |
SS Lusitania |
Type of vessel |
Portuguese Twin - screw Passenger Liner |
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Length |
App. 150m |
Beam |
|
Draught |
|
Tonnage |
5557 |
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|
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. |
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