Sinking the frigate Wellington. Photo by Murray Douglas
On 13 November 2005 the Sink F69 Trust sank the former New Zealand Navy frigate Wellington as a dive attraction off the South Coast.
Preparation
The decommissioned frigate was moored at Taranaki Wharf behind Te Papa for several months before the sinking. It was stripped and cleaned to make it safe for divers to explore after being sunk.
Sinking
The frigate was towed 450 metres offshore between Houghton Bay and Island Bay for the sinking. Crowds watched from the shore and from over 200 boats outside an exclusion zone around the frigate.
After a series of explosions, the frigate sank in just one minute 50 seconds, coming to rest 20 metres below the surface.
The frigate has since broken into three pieces.
Tourist Attraction
New Zealand Navy frigate Wellington
The sunken frigate attracts divers to Wellington. It also acts as a living reef and is home to many marine species.
The frigate fits well with other attractions proposed for the South Coast, such as the Marine Education Centre.
Budget
The Sink F69 Trust covered the cost of sinking the frigate through fundraising. The Council provided a loan of up to $600,000 to assist with project costs before the Trust achieved its fundraising goals.
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Department Details:
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