WRECK
NAME: |
Tasman Hauler |
SHIP TYPE: |
Tug |
SANK IN: |
1988 |
LOCATION: |
Eden |
CONSTRUCTION: |
Steel |
TRAVEL TIME: |
15 Minutes |
DIVE RATING: |
Advanced |
MAX DEPTH: |
30 Metres |
AVG DEPTH: |
19 Metres |
AVERAGE VIZ: |
12 Metres |
ACCESS VIA: |
BOAT |
On 6 July 1988, the Tasman Hauler was stranded on rocks at Twofold Bay
(presumably after dragging or breaking its mooring). She was re-floated
and was soon after declared a total loss.
|
Tasman Hauler docked |
The
Tasman Hauler and
Henry Bolte were purchased by the
then Eden dive operator, Gary Becus, for $1 each. On 1
October 1988, he sank the
Tasman Hauler and around the same time the
Henry Bolte
just south of Red Point off Ben Boyd National Park to start artificial
reefs and to provide alternate wreck dives for his divers. Located only a
few hundred metres apart, it is less than a 10 minute run south from
Eden across Twofold Bay to either tug.
|
Tasman Hauler on a slipway |
We stayed with
Merimbula Divers Lodge who I can highly recommend. The accommodation was "cosy" with 4 bunks to a room and 2 rooms to a unit but it was very clean and well maintained.
|
Jane in between dives |
The boat trip out from Eden Wharf is about 10 minutes (provided by Merimbula Divers Lodge) and was quite bouncy but not overly unpleasant.
|
Jamie, Lin, Jen and James on board the ScubaPro inflatable |
The wreck is pretty much still in tact (apart from some handrail on the top - but I'll leave that between myself, Jane, Kellie and Ben)
|
Jane on the main deck looking through a porthole |
|
|
I think Jane experienced her first bout of Nitrogen Narcosis without realising it. At Oak Park or Bare Island in 8M of water she likes to stick very close to me. I often feel here holding onto my BCD or arm.
|
Jane relaxing on the rear deck |
At 30M she was very relaxed and wanted to explore the vessel with an more adventurous nature than at 8M.
|
Jane posing on the propeller drive shaft next to the shroud |
The Tasman Hauler's propeller is surrounded by a shroud that directs
the thrust as the prop itself swivels so there is no need for a rudder.
|
A more relaxed Jane than usual @ 30M |
This is a great wreck dive and the visibility was about 15M which I believe ids about average in this part of the world. It is not too difficult as it was scuttled with divers in mind so most hazards have been removed. After the HMAS Adelaide this would be one of the most complete wreck dives in NSW in my opinion.
|
Jane at the propeller of the Tasman Hauler (~30M deep) |
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It was a great trip with a great group of people. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who hasn't yet explored the magical dives of the South Coast.
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