NBM Dive Site Resource
MV Andrew Wilson Artificial Reef
Brighton (offshore), South Australia, Australia
The 40 m former grab-hopper dredger MV Andrew Wilson was successfully scuttled on September 7, 2026, about 6 km west of Brighton. It rests upright on sand in 20 m of water, with the highest point charted at 8 m below Lowest Astronomical Tide.
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Aquatic life at this dive site
What divers may encounter
Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Site media
Photographs
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Contributor media
Dive videos
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Location map
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Recent field observations
Diver-reported temperatures
Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.
Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.
Connected artificial-reef collection
Deployment history
This dive site is included in the deployed Artificial Reefs search, where deployment records and connected news updates are gathered together.
Why divers know this place
Highlights
Successfully settled upright after the controlled sinking. The exterior crane remains in place, and prepared openings provide routes through selected interior spaces. A 200 m fishing closure protects the new reef during its first 12 months.
Shipwreck-only module
The wreck
This section appears only on shipwreck records and brings the vessel, its loss, present condition, access, and responsible wreck-diving considerations into one place.
- Vessel type
- 40 m grab hopper dredger
- Year built
- 1962
- Year sunk
- 2026
- Vessel length
- 40 m / 131 ft
- Cause of loss
- Purpose-sunk as an artificial reef on September 7, 2026
- Wreck orientation
- Upright on a sandy seabed
- Present condition
- Successfully deployed; highest point charted at 8 m below LAT on a 20 m seabed
- Penetration guidance
- Prepared routes include the engine room, galley and bridge. Any entry is an overhead-environment dive and should be attempted only with appropriate wreck training, equipment and a current local briefing.
- Protection or memorial status
- Recreational and commercial fishing prohibited within 200 m for 12 months from September 7, 2026
- Deployment result
- September 7, 2026; vessel settled upright as planned
- Published chart position
- 35°01′24″S, 138°26′51″E
- Planned diving access
- Recreational boat diving after the required final safety inspection; state guidance describes the 20 m site as accessible to entry-level certified divers while treating interior entry separately
- Final safety inspection
- Required after sinking and reported complete before the site opened for recreational diving
- Fishing closure
- 200 m radius through September 6, 2027
Before you arrive
Access notes
South Australia required a final post-sinking safety inspection before public recreational diving. The later state update reports that the inspection was completed and the site opened. Planned diver routes include prepared access through the engine room, galley and bridge, but those spaces remain overhead environments. Confirm current notices, weather, visibility, boat access and any mooring guidance before diving.
Plan within your training
Conditions and hazards
Boat traffic, anchoring, changing sea state and visibility, entanglement, sharp or shifting wreck surfaces, and overhead-environment risk. The official Notice to Mariners advises caution when navigating or anchoring near the wreck.
At the site
Facilities and support
No shore facilities. Access is by boat from the Adelaide/Brighton area; verify current charter and mooring arrangements locally.
Connected reporting
News mentioning MV Andrew Wilson Artificial Reef
Independent resource notice
This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.