Media Page
Wrecksploration – Media Page
Website: https://wrecksploration.au/
email: info@wrecksploration.au
phone: 0447 440 444 (Andy Oakeley)
Mission:
EXPLORE – PRESERVE – EDUCATE and do it SAFELY.
- EXPLORE both known and undiscovered wreck sites with the aim of creating 3D models for identification and further study of the sites. WreckSploration has a focus on sites deeper than 50m.
- PRESERVE historically significant shipwreck sites through the creation of 3D models and surveys.
- EDUCATE the community through outreach to schools and special interest groups, contribution to museum exhibits, collaboration with maritime archaeological bodies, and publication of models and survey findings.
- SAFELY – Practice and promote safe technical diving protocols.
Location:
Western Australia, with projects and expeditions across Australia and the world.
Technology:
Technical Diving Equipment, custom-build survey rigs, 3D photogrammetry using underwater cameras on and industry-leading modelling software.
Team:
Core team of six technical divers based in Perth, Western Australia working in close collaboration with the WA Museum and Maritime Archaeologists.
Sponsors:
– Advantage Air / My Place Australia (Major Sponsor)
– Dodd Group (Major Sponsor)
– Mondo Electronics
– Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology (Grant Received)
– Heritage Council of WA (Grant Received)
– Westralian Cleaning Services
– Supacoat
Deepest Model:
The Gunga; 117m deep, modelled in 2024.
Recent Achievements:
– 12 sites explored and imaged in the Rottnest Graveyard and surrounds, the Pericles site off Augusta, numerous models in Bikini Atoll.
– Positive identification of 7 previously unidentified or unverified shipwreck sites.
– Discovery of 2 previously unknown and unidentified shipwrecks.
– WA Heritage Council Grant Recipient – December 2023
– Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology Grant Recipient – October 2024
– Winner of the WA Heritage Award for Contribution by an Organisation – November 2024
– Co authored a published a journal article with staff from the WA Museum – December 2024
Frequently asked questions
Who are we?
A group of six technical divers from Perth, Western Australia who are using their technical diving skillset to preserve history by documenting deep shipwrecks in WA and around the world.
What makes us different?
The WreckSploration team are trained to execute technical dives beyond the reach of recreational SCUBA divers, specialising in photogrammetry at depths over 50m. The team have developed techniques and equipment to safely collect photogrammetry datasets in these environments.
Why are we interested in shipwrecks in particular?
Ships have been an important part of the evolution of civilisations across the world for thousands of years and their remains serve as time capsules. Whether they served in war or simply transported coal across the harbour, each one offers a unique window into a very different time.
Imaging and identifying the wrecks of the WA coast as part of the Rottnest Ship Graveyard project has allowed us to connect each wreck site to its documented history, and by extension, to our shared past.
What special equipment do we use
The WreckSploration team use Closed-Circuit Rebreathers (CCRs) with special Helium gas mixes to perform the deep dives. These devices effectively recycle the diver’s exhaled gas, remove the carbon dioxide, and dynamically adjust the oxygen content such that the diver always has an ‘ideal’ gas mix for the depth of the dive. These units require extensive and regular training and practice to operate safely.
The team use ‘diver propulsion vehicles’ (DPVs), sometimes called underwater scooters, to move around underwater and carry the imaging and lighting equipment. Given the volume of equipment the team carries underwater, and the currents the team can encounter, these dives would not be feasible without DPVs.
How did WreckSploration start?
Inspired by a presentation on underwater photogrammetry of shipwrecks at a technical diving conference in late 2022, the team set to work developing photogrammetry survey techniques appropriate for extreme depths.
What’s the ‘Rottnest Graveyard’?
The Rottnest Ship’s Graveyard is a circular area approximately 13km in diameter centred approximately 20 kilometres Southwest of Rottnest Island and 37 km from the mainland. The water depth in the Graveyard is between 50m – 200m. There are 47 wreck sites known, but most are unidentified.
It was designated “Commonwealth Area 7” and served as a scuttling ground for disused vessels until 1994. With the majority of vessels having been sunk before electronic records or accurate positioning technology, the shipwrecks on the ocean floor are often unidentified, or the locations are missing completely or very inaccurate.
What are the shipwrecks we are surveying?
The shipwrecks in the Rottnest Ship’s Graveyard come from all over the world, many having been repurposed multiple times for military and civilian use.
The wrecks in the graveyard include former naval vessels such as the ex-HMAS Junee, lighthouse maintenance vessels such as the SS Cape Otway, coal hulks such as the Tamerlane, and whalers such as the Kos VII, amongst many others.
How old are the shipwrecks we are surveying?
Most of the ships scuttled in the Rottnest Ship’s Graveyard were constructed in the 1800s and early 1900s, and scuttled between 1910 and 1994.
How old are the shipwrecks we are surveying?
Most of the ships scuttled in the Rottnest Ship’s Graveyard were constructed in the 1800s and early 1900s, and scuttled between 1910 and 1994.
How do you contribute to preservation of history?
WreckSploration contributes to the preservation of history by creating detailed 3D models of shipwrecks which can be studied afterwards without the time constraints usually imposed by a dive. This gives experts the opportunity to identify details that could easily be missed underwater and may be critical to the successful identification of a vessel.
The 3D models also serve as point-in-time records of the site’s condition and preserve its current state in perpetuity. We have identified degradation of specific features on sites such as the ‘A Frame Barge’ which have occurred in the last 20 years.
By documenting these wrecks, WreckSploration ensures that valuable historical information is preserved for future generations, even as the physical structures continue to deteriorate.
What challenges do you we during our underwater explorations?
Whilst the use of photogrammetry for imaging of shipwrecks is not new, there are very few teams capable of collecting datasets efficiently enough to model shipwrecks at this depth. Most teams using similar technology will take days to carefully image a site, whereas we usually have to work with less than 20 mins on the wreck site.
The planning for each dive involved careful consideration of the amount of time required to image the site weighed against the decompression obligation for that dive profile. For example, on a dive to 100m, every additional minute spent will result in approximately 10 minutes of required decompression. Every second counts at the depths we operate in
Have you had any near-misses?
All diving carries inherent risk, and technical diving carries significantly more than recreational diving. The WreckSploration Team take a proactive approach to safety through rigorous protocols, checklists, and training. We partner with The Human Diver and recommend their training for divers of all levels.
All divers are required to maintain ‘in-water currency’ – this means that they have completed a recent dive with a similar risk profile and environment. We emphasize continuous training and adherence to robust checklists and team protocols, involving both the boat skipper and crew.
Each dive is carefully and collaboratively planned, and every member of the team including the boat skipper has an opportunity to give feedback on other diver’s plans. This helps eliminate individual diver errors and confirmation bias.
We focus on using well maintained and field proven equipment such as our JJ-CCR rebreathers, and we carry redundant equipment, including redundant gas supplies and rescue beacons, to prepare for potential failures or separation. Preparation on the day involves use of standardised checklists for assembly of equipment and pre-dive function checks.
The team maintain a strict policy that any diver can call off a dive at any time, for any reason – no shipwreck or mission is worth endangering a life for.
Whilst we have encountered situations that could have escalated into near-misses, but our stringent safety measures and protocols have always ensured the safety of our divers.
Do you work with the WA Museum?
– Yes we have a close working relation with the WA Museum and organisations such as the Maritime Archeological Association of WA and Maritime Discovery Group
Do you know “The Shipwreck Hunters” who are on TV?
Yes, we have different priorities than they do though.
Have we seen sharks out there?
We’re fortunate not to have had any aggressive encounters, but it’s never lost on us that it’s the shark’s territory and we’re the guests.
How dark is it down there?
Light penetration beyond 60m varies based on several factors, but good quality bright lighting is always crucial on the survey rigs used at depth. The water visibility itself is usually better in the deep water than closer to the island or shore, as there is less turbidity (movement) in the water column to stir up the sand from the sea floor.
How do you collaborate with other organizations and experts in the field?
Our work would not be possible without close collaboration with the WA Shipwrecks Museum, who assist us with both the selection and prioritisation of targets and the interpretation of results. The Museum’s efforts ensure we can connect these sites to their stories.
We’re incredibly appreciative for the support we have received from the wider Maritime Archaeological community including:
– The WA Museum, and WA Shipwrecks Museum
– The Maritime Archaeological Association of WA
– The Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology
– The State Heritage Council of WA
– The team at Diving WA Shipwrecks
– Patrick Morrison, UWA
Have you received any awards for your work?
– Yes we were the winners of the WA Heritage Award for Contribution by an Organisation – November 2024. Presented by the Hon. David Templeman MLA
What’s next for WreckSploration?
We’re continually analysing many datasets for potential wreck sites in WA and abroad, the ‘Graveyard’ is an ongoing project.
How is WreckSploration funded?
WreckSploration was founded with the intent to use our skillset to give back to the community, and to encourage safe technical diving. We’re incredibly grateful for the support we’ve had from community sponsors so far – and our work would simply not be possible without them. Additional funding is always needed to progress current and future projects.
How can the public get involved or support WreckSploration’s efforts?
As the scale and reach of our projects grow we’re always interested in partnering with new organisations and individuals, either with financial or relevant in-kind support. We’re fortunate to have an auspice agreement with the Australian Sports Federation which facilitates fully tax deductible donations. Any interested party can read more on our website or reach out to us at info@wrecksploration.au.
Links
Heritage Award 2024: Link
Facebook: Link
LinkedIn: Link
Youtube: Link
Channel 7 news article: Link