ex HMAS Canberra Dive Site Guidelines

Risk – you dive entirely at your own risk. Notwithstanding the fact that the State of Victoria organised the scuttling of the ex HMAS Canberra and that the ex HMAS Canberra Reef is on Crown Land, the State of Victoria will not accept any legal liability for any death, injury or loss suffered by any person as a result of such person being on Crown Land or diving on the ex HMAS Canberra Reef or being in waters in the vicinity of the ex HMAS Canberra Reef.

Warning: Scuba Diving is a potentially dangerous activity, especially when performing technical or decompression dives. Victorian Artificial Reef Society Inc, or any contributors, DO NOT accept liability for any injuries incurred by persons using information obtained from this web site. All materials are provided for information purposes ONLY and are not a substitute for correct scuba diver training by a suitably qualified scuba instructor.

Of course the actual guidelines for diving the ex HMAS Canberra Reef are yet to be prepared. In due course the various State Government groups, the dive industry and VARS will all get together and come up with a set of workable guidelines for using the ex HMAS Canberra Reef as a wreck dive site.

Indemnity – you agree to indemnify the State of Victoria and Victorian Artificial Reef Society Inc from and against all present and future liability claims and or proceedings for personal injury or death, loss of or damage to property or financial loss by any person arising from or attributable to your presence on or use of the moorings, the reef site or the wreck.

Release – you release, to the full extent permitted by law, the State of Victoria and Victorian Artificial Reef Society Inc from any and all claims, demands and damages of every kind resulting from any accident, damage or injury occurring however caused arising from or attributable to your presence on or use of the moorings or the site or the wreck.

Compliance with Law – you agree to comply with all laws, by-laws, regulations and other requirements of any Federal, State or local authority than in any way affect the mooring, the site, the wreck or scuba diving.

Directions – you must comply with all requirements which may be made or notices or orders which may be given by any Governmental or other authority over or in respect of the mooring, the site or the ex HMAS Canberra Reef and keep indemnified the State of Victoria and Victorian Artificial Reef Society Inc from and against all actions, proceedings, claims, demands, charges, penalties and expenses arising from the non-performance or non-observance of such duties and obligations or the non-compliance with such requirements.

Code of Practice – you must comply, at all times, with the terms and conditions of the ex HMAS Canberra Reef Dive Site Code of Practice which will be published in due course.

ex HMAS Canberra Reef Location

The yellow marker is the agreed site for the ex HMAS Canberra Reef. The red markers show the other wrecks in the vicinity.
 

Waypoint: CBRWRK
S  38° 17.780′
E 144° 32.620′
Datum: WGS 84
Altitude: -35 metres

Waypoint: J1SUB
S  38° 18.952′
E 144° 33.233′
Datum: WGS 84
Altitude: -38 metres

Waypoint: J2SUB
S  38° 18.893′
E 144° 34.737′
Datum: WGS 84
Altitude: -38 metres

Waypoint: J4SUB
S  38° 18.060′
E 144° 33.730′
Datum: WGS 84
Altitude: -30 metres

Waypoint: J5SUB
S  38° 18.658′
E 144° 34.118′
Datum: WGS 84
Altitude: -36 metres

Waypoint: ROTOMA
S  38° 19.197′
E 144° 32.175′
Datum: WGS 84
Altitude: -39 metres

Waypoint: COOGEE
S  38° 18.519′
E 144° 34.220′
Datum: WGS 84
Altitude: -34 metres

Waypoint: COURIR
S  38° 19.488′
E 144° 34.914′
Datum: WGS 84
Altitude: -42 metres

Waypoint: CASTLE
S  38° 17.970′
E 144° 35.782′
Datum: WGS 84
Altitude: -20 metres

ex HMAS Canberra | J1 Deep Submarine | J2 Broken Submarine | J4 26m Submarine | J5 Intact Submarine | Rotomahana | SS Coogee | SS Courier | Castle Rock |

The agreed site is 0.8 nautical miles WNW of the J4 submarine. The waypoint listed is for the stern of the ex HMAS Canberra, and from there the bow will point SSW.

Latitude: 38° 17′ 46.8″ S   (-38.29633333° S / 38° 17.78′ S)
Longitude: 144° 32′ 37.2″ E   (144.54366667° E / 144° 32.62′ E)
Datum: WGS84

Dive Boat Safety Code

1. Before approaching the diving area, communicate with any vessels already there, ideally by radio, or by giving the OK signal. They should tell you how many divers are down and where they are. It is possible some divers will be using rebreathers and will not be easy to locate due to lack of bubbles.
2. ex HMAS Canberra Reef dive sites are likely to be popular at certain times. Be prepared to wait until there is space for you. Agree a plan of action with the other dive boats present.
3. Never go near divers' bubbles with your engine in gear.
4. Position yourself as far as possible from other divers.
5. Never drop your anchor or shot line when divers are under the water. If other boats are present, agree a course of action.
6. Never let an inexperienced person take charge of the boat anywhere near the dive site.
7. Before engaging your engine, check for bubbles. Look all around your boat including the stern. Do not motor unnecessarily or patrol the area, it adds to the danger.
8. Never manoeuvre at more than tickover until you are a considerable distance from the dive site. Divers may come up away from the site, especially down tide.