Port Vila, Vanuatu. Wreck of the Konanda

I've just got back from a cruise around the South Pacific and was lucky enough to get a chance to dive the Wreck of the Konanda in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

On 20 January 1955 a vessel called MV Konanda was launched from the D ramp; J Boot shipyard in Aphen, River Rhine, The Netherlands. The ship was built for the Adelaide Steamship Company.

MV Konanda as a working ship

The new ship was 153.25 feet (51 metres) long and 29.91 feet (9 metres) wide with a depth of 8.91 feet (3 metres). It had a tonnage of 414 gross (145 net) and was registered with Lloyds as 1196736. The ship was put into service carrying raw sugar between Cairns and Mourilyan and Goondi in Queensland.

MV Konanda about to be scuttled

During 7th amd 8th February 1987 she was wrecked by Cyclone Uma and declared a total loss. The written off vessel was sold to Iririki Islands Resort to be stripped and sunk as a dive attraction. The picture above shows her before she was scuttled. refence: Michael McFadyen's Scuba Diving Website


We used Nautilus Dive in Port Vila to take us out to the wreck and give us a local orientation briefing of the site. They were very good in terms of friendliness and site knowledge but they did lack some of the standard safety procedures that I am accustomed to in Sydney. Nothing major, but noticeably they overlooked hazard warnings, buddy check reminders, lost buddy procedure, dive time maximums and air tank minimums in the briefing.  They did have 2 DM's with the group and handled everything really well and it seemed like a well trodden path.

Top of the Mast of the MV Konanda now encrusted in coral

Jane with the mounted telescope

Entering The Wheelhouse

The Stern appeared eerie in the poor visibility

Inside the wreck

inside the wheelhouse

Jane on the deck of the Konanda

Small clusters of coral are growing on the handrails

The visibility wasn't great with about 5-8M max but this added to the spooky feeling I always get on wrecks.
We met some other people from the cruise and a nice guy named Steve gave me some video footage that I have cobbled together with my footage to create this video from the day.

Steve, if you read this and want to go diving or if you want copies of my photos from the day let me know?