Gavin Barnes: Messages
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The HMAS SWAN is a River Class Frigate Destroyer Escort built on 16th of December 1967, launched at HMA Naval Dockyards in Williamston, Victoria. Twenty months later on the 20th of January 1970 the HMAS SWAN was commissioned and ready to serve the Australian Navy. It served for 26 years with the Australian Navy travelling to Australian and international ports mostly in South East Asia, She also served in the Vietnam War escorting the Troop Ship HMAS Sydney and in September 1981 she also visited China.
Before the SWAN could be scuttled the environmental and diver safety had to be satisfactory. One of the biggest dangers was the miles and miles of cabling which could have fallen down creating a dangerous web of entanglement for divers. Diver access holes were cut so there are entry and exit points in all areas of the ship. The engine room and the boiler room had to be closed off due to possible entanglement hazards. The biggest environmental problem was the removal of oil and hydraulic fluid in the engine and boiler rooms and the mechanics of the gun turret.
On December 14th 1997, the HMAS SWAN ended her 26 years with the Australian Royal Navy. Her final resting place now lies in a bed of sand, in 30 meters of water, off the South West Coast of Western Australia in Geographe Bay, creating an artificial reef for corals and marine life.
The SWAN has now become a popular dive site; being the first ship in the Southern Hemisphere to be sunk as a dive wreck. Measuring 112m in length, 21m in height and 13m in width; situated 1.3 nautical miles off Point Piquet, Meelup, she is truly a spectacular site. There is an abundance of sea life taking advantage of the SWAN as their new home. Batfish swim around the Crow's nest; large schools of Bullseyes inhabit many rooms, with King George Whiting and Brim swimming around the hull. The inquisitive Samson Fish give divers an added bonus when looking around the wreck, along with Dhufish, Shaw's Cowfish, Blue Devil, Sweep, Talma; the list goes on. Not only is there fish, plant life is starting to grow on and around the wreck with several Flowering Soft corals, Sea grass, Hydroids and Coral Formations. There is more and more growth every year.
The Busselton Jetty is the second longest Jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, built from Giant Karri Hardwood and used by whalers and other vessels for decades. It was built in 1865 with an original length of 158m. Further extensions were made in 1875, 1884, 1887, 1890, 1894, 1895 and 1896. It's now 1799 meters long.
The Busselton Jetty is a fantastic dive site. It has been forming for years and an abundance of corals and marine life have made their home on and around the pylons. The jetty is also a great night dive.