wreck

Log This Dive

PROTECTOR (POSSIBLY)

The PROTECTOR, probably. We love a wreck with a bit of mystery, and this one delivers. Lying around 20 metres, she’s a cutter vessel, a sturdy piece of maritime history built in 1907. Dropping down, you hit the bow first, then the silhouette stretches out over the seabed. The visibility can be a bit hit-and-miss here, typical for the East Coast, but on a good day, the wreck really stands out, dark against the green water. Our favourite part is poking around the midships, where the triple-expansion engine would have been. You can still make out the boiler, a big, round presence, now home to all sorts of squat lobsters and the occasional shy conger eel. There’s a quiet beauty to this wreck, a sense of it having settled into its final resting place, slowly being reclaimed. It’s a great dive for those who appreciate the historical aspect of wreck diving, rather than just the marine life, though you’ll find plenty of inquisitive wrasse and small crabs tucked into every crevice. We’d suggest timing your dive for slack water to really enjoy exploring her.