Image: Government of South Australia
A piece of South Australian maritime history is preparing for its final voyage, with a historic vessel to be transformed into an artificial reef as part of the state’s ongoing algal bloom recovery efforts.
The MV Andrew Wilson, a 40-metre grab hopper dredger with more than six decades of history in South Australian waters, will become the first vessel to be intentionally scuttled in the state in more than 20 years.
Donated by Maritime Constructions, the vessel will be sunk approximately six kilometres off the coast of Brighton in Gulf St Vincent later this year, creating a new marine habitat while offering an exciting new destination for recreational divers.
The project forms part of the Australian and South Australian governments’ $165 million investment into algal bloom response and recovery measures, with the artificial reef expected to support marine biodiversity and encourage the return of aquatic life to the area.
Currently docked at Port Adelaide, the MV Andrew Wilson is undergoing extensive preparation ahead of its final journey. Specialist teams are removing any hazardous materials, stripping the vessel of unsuitable internal components and creating strategic access points throughout the hull to allow safe exploration by scuba divers.
Once preparation is complete, the vessel will be towed to its designated location off Brighton, where it will be carefully positioned before valves are opened to allow water to gradually fill the hull. The ship will then settle upright onto the sandy seabed, creating a permanent underwater structure.
The new site will offer divers the chance to explore multiple areas of the vessel, including the engine room, galley and bridge, while the ship’s exterior crane will remain in place as a recognisable landmark.
Unlike South Australia’s previous artificial reef project involving the former HMAS Hobart, which was sunk in 2002 and is a deeper site suited to experienced divers, the MV Andrew Wilson has been specifically chosen for its accessibility.
Resting in shallower waters, the new wreck will be suitable for beginner divers and anyone with an entry-level scuba qualification. The location was selected due to its favourable seabed conditions, proximity to nearby boat ramps and safe distance from major shipping channels.
The State Government has undertaken detailed assessments of the site and consulted with key marine and recreational groups, including the Scuba Divers Federation of South Australia, RecFish SA and the Environment Protection Authority.
Following the scuttling, a temporary exclusion zone will be established around the wreck while the vessel settles into its new position. A final inspection will then take place before the site officially opens to the public.
While the MV Andrew Wilson’s future will be beneath the waves, the vessel has already played an important role in South Australian history.
Built in 1962, the dredger has supported major maritime works across the state, including previous artificial reef installations. It also played a key role in the salvage operation following the tragic Whyalla Airlines Flight 904 crash in Spencer Gulf in May 2000, which claimed the lives of eight people.
Now, after decades of service above water, the MV Andrew Wilson is set to begin a new chapter, providing a home for marine life, supporting biodiversity recovery and creating a unique underwater attraction for generations of South Australian divers to explore.
