Common questions
- Where is the Ex-HMAS ADELAIDE now?
The Ex-HMAS ADELAIDE is at the Sydney ports Corporation Berth No. 2 at Glebe Island on White Bay. It is currently being cleaned to stringent environmental standards and prepared as a dive site.
- How is the site being designed for diving?
The Land & Property Management Authority (LPMA) has engaged the services of a team of designers who have been responsible for the design of every other military wreck around Australia. Assisting this team is a reference group which consists of representatives from local dive clubs, professional divers (such as the Navy, Police and Army divers), industry regulators such as Workcover and rescue personnel.
- Who approves the environmental standard of preparation of the ship?
The ship will be prepared to the stringent environmental standards required by the Commonwealth Department of Environment Water Heritage and the Arts. They will approve the scuttling of the ship under the Environment Protection (Sea Duping) Act 1981. You can also read our Environmental Fact Sheet about the Ex-HMAS Adelaide.
- When will the Ex-HMAS ADELAIDE be sunk?
The scuttling of the Ex-HMAS ADELAIDE is scheduled to take place on 27 March, so long as weather conditions are favourable.
- What will happen at this time?
Around 2-4 days before the scuttling the Ex-HMAS ADELAIDE will be towed to the Central Coast. It will be escorted by police and other authorities and will have an exclusion zone in place. It will be anchored off Avoca Beach whilst last minute preparations are made such as cutting dive access holes close to the water line. On the day of scuttling an exclusion zone of around 1000m will remain in place until after the Ex-HMAS ADELAIDE in scuttled and all safety checks have been completed.
- What is constitutes a successful scuttling?
The Ex-HMAS ADELAIDE will need to be sunk in an upright position and on the correct location and correct orientation which is approximately ESE. It will need to be done safely with no injuries to spectators or passing whales and dolphins etc.
- Why are the weather conditions so important?
When the ship is towed out to be scuttled it will have no power or ability to move independently. It will also have many dive access holes cut in the hull above the water line. Calm weather conditions, little wind and low swell are required to safely take the ship out to sea and scuttle it.
- Where will the Ex-HMAS ADELAIDE be finally located?
The Ex-HMAS ADELAIDE will be located approximately 1.4km south of the Skillion at Terrigal and 1.8km off Avoca Beach in around 32m of water.
- How many moorings will there be?
There will be six moorings placed around the ship. Two of these will be exclusively licensed to commercial operators, another two will be available for any commercial operator to book on a casual basis. The final two moorings will be available to recreational divers.
- How will the dive site be managed?
A Crown reserve (the HMAS Adelaide Reserve) has been declared over the final resting place of the Ex-HMAS ADELAIDE. LPMA will engage a commercial agent to manage the site on its behalf. The agent will be required to market the opportunity to the dive and tourism industries, issue tickets to dive the Ex-HMAS ADELAIDE and take bookings for moorings.
- Will I have to pay to dive the Ex-HMAS ADELAIDE?
Yes. The ongoing management and maintenance of the dive site to ensure it remains a world class dive attraction will cost money. As such it is expected that a per dive fee will be collected to recover the cost of these activities. Pricing is yet to be determined.
- How will I buy a ticket to dive?
A ticket to dive the Ex-HMAS ADELAIDE will be able to be purchased from the LPMA's commercial agent. Before being issued with a permit all divers will be required to provide evidence that they have the necessary dive qualifications and agree to abide by a Code of Conduct whilst on the dive site.
- What are the current commercial opportunities?
Tenders have recently been called for organisations to act as the LPMA's commercial agent. Tenders closed on 6th November 2009. Tenders will soon be called for the exclusive use of a commercial mooring at the dive site.
