By NOEL MURPHY
SHIFTING sands are making an HMAS Canberra dive site off Ocean Grove dangerous for divers, according to Diving Industry Association of Victoria.
The Canberra was lying at an angle after it was scuttled on sand rather than rock five years ago against industry advice, DIVA president Xavier La Vaqueresse told the Independent.
“The industry association did give the bureaucrats advice and made suggestions it shouldn’t be scuttled where it was because it wouldn’t last – a few decent storms and it would get trashed,” Mr Vaqueresse said.
“The Canberra has substantial damage and is now on angle.
“It’s breaking up prematurely. It was designed to break up over time but it’s happening a lot earlier than they thought.
“There are instances of wrecks overseas where chunks have dislodged through a build-up of exhaust air bubbles lodging in areas where they accelerate the rusting, decomposition, process.
“Whole decks can collapse if the integrity of an area is weakened and the Canberra’s been copping a battering from storms in Bass Strait.”
“Parks Victoria has closed the wreck site on occasion before because of damage to it being a hazard to divers.”
Parks Victoria said the listing or tilting of the wreck presented no significant issues.
“The ex-HMAS Canberra dive site is fast approaching its fifth anniversary. While there was some initial movement when the ex-HMAS Canberra was first scuttled, it is very settled now,” a spokesman said.
“The dive experience is better than ever as more and more marine life moves in and around the vessel.”
Queenscliff Dive Victoria operator Jason Salter also disputed the DIVA claims, saying the wreck posed no additional danger as a result of its location.
“We fought very hard to ensure we left things in the wreck, knowing full well they’ll come loose over time,” he said.
“Marine life has taken to it and it has a real atmosphere. It’s dark and dirty in certain places, which makes it more of an advanced wreck than a boring straight, cleaned-out ship.
“People dive for that sense of exploration.”
Mr Vaquaresse insisted the wreck site could present a dangerous workplace for dive operators teaching students.
Parks Victoria had a duty of care to ensure the wreck was safe for diving, he said.
The Canberra was scuttled in 2009, drawing the ire of recreational divers and Liberal MP David Koch over limited access to the site where three of four moorings are licensed for commercial operators.
Then-tourism minister Tim Holding drew fire for diving the site before it was open.
