Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Canterbury after decommissioning, was sunk on November 03, 2007 to become a diving and marine tourism attraction. In the similar way, the decommissioned HMAS Canberra (FFG 02) is getting ready to boost marine tourism in Australia. The Victorian Artificial Reef Society (VARS) a non-profit, Victorian dive community group is on its mission to secure, prepare, sink and make the former HMAS Canberra as an artificial reef dive site for Victoria.
Some of the interesting features of this project are:
- HMAS Canberra (FFG 02) was in the Royal Australian Navy for 24 years as a long range escort frigate.
- She was decommissioned on November 12, 2005 at Fleet Base West, Rockingham Western Australia.
- She will be sunk two nautical miles offshore, in 30 metres of water between Point Lonsdale and Barwon Heads, to become a scuba diving attraction.
- Both the Federal Government and Victorian Government have contributed $7 million and $1.5 million respectively to the project.
- HMAS Canberra was towed from Rockingham WA on June 03 and is on her way to Geelong.
- The ship would be at Geelong for the next 10 months for removal of all safety and environmental hazards, including 25,000 kilo metres of wiring, insulation, oil, flooring and 95 tonnes of lead ballast.
- Ships internal structure will be modified for smooth movement of divers.
- On completion of these activities the ship will be towed into the designated place, where charges will be positioned to sink the ship by detonation.
- Tourism Victoria has estimated that the sunken ship will yield $1.3 million annually to the state’s economy.
Here are the technical data of former HMAS Canberra:
- Launched:December 01, 1978
- Commissioned:March 21, 1981 at Todd Pacific Shipyards, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Displacement:4,100 tonnes
- Length:138.1 metres
- Beam:14.3 metres
- Armament:
- 76mm rapid fire gun
- Harpoon anti-ship missiles
- Standard surface to air missiles
- Phalanx Mk15 close-in weapon system
- 2 triple anti-submarine torpedo tubes for Mk 46 torpedoes
- Main Machinery:2 General Electric LM2500 gas turbines geared to a single controllable pitch propeller
- Speed:More than 30 knots
- Ship’s Company:Approximately 210
Here is the map showing the location of former HMAS Canberra.
Here are some photographs of former HMAS Canberra
Image and data sources: HMAS Canberra, Royal Australian Navy , The Age , Victorian Artificial Reef Society
Here is a video clip of former HMAS Canberra on tow.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
[...] Former Navy Frigate HMAS Canberra to Become a Diving and Marine …Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Canterbury after decommissioning, was sunk on November 03, 2007 to become a diving and marine tourism attraction. In the similar way, the decommissioned HMAS Canberra (FFG 02) is getting ready to boost … [...]
I guessing having something like this as a tourist attraction would give people a renewed understanding of the naval forces and perhaps a new found respect too.
We could all learn a lot from this transformation from naval ship to educational structure.
I like the article. i guessing having something like this as a tourist attraction.I know that HMAS Canberra is a long range escort frigate that previously undertook roles including area air-defence, anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction as part of Australia’s Defence Force. There have been quite a number of ships that have been sunk as artificial reefs. Within Australia, this includes the HMAS Swan, HMAS Perth, HMAS Hobart, HMAS Brisbane as well as the two tugs at Eden and various ships at other locations. so it is good for the nation.
The truth is we are all creative. And while some people are naturally more creative than others, we can all have very creative ideas.
This may sound crazy but I never knew that boats and ships were sometimes sunk deliberately to act as a tourist attraction. It’s an interesting though, tourism beneath the sea. But I guess it’s the safest and most interesting way to do it.
In my point of view, it is best use. Nice creative work by the authorities to get some tourist.
This is really a creative idea of attracting tourist. I didnt know about the the sunken boats and ships
I think this so amazing that you are doing this with this boat. You do not want to destroy but using for something useful. The think the idea of using it for a diving attraction is so good.
I love Marine and want to be in it once in my life !
What a good way to end the glorious career of a beautiful ship. Wrecks are not only mysterious and surreal to explore underwater, they are also new homes to thousands of marine life underwater. Long Live HMAS Canberra!
Great Blog! Will visit again
Thank you for the information, keep up the good work
Excellent post, thanks.