Final voyage for historic ship to help algal bloom recovery

Monday 3 August 2026

The MV Andrew Wilson, a 40-metre grab hopper dredger, will become the first vessel to be scuttled in South Australian waters in more than two decades – part of a major mission to help restore biodiversity.

Donated by Maritime Constructions, the ship will be turned into an artificial reef around six kilometres off the coast of Brighton in Gulf St Vincent later this year.

The initiative has been funded as part of the Australian and South Australian government’s $165 million investment in algal bloom response and recovery measures. This will help with the restoration of marine life, while also creating a major drawcard for recreational divers.

Currently docked in Port Adelaide, the ship is being stripped of hazardous materials with expert teams also removing certain internal walls and cutting strategic access holes into the hull. This will allow safe and accessible entrances for scuba divers.

When completed, the ship will be towed to the designated scuttling site. Once in place, valves will be opened to allow water to flow into the hull, which will cause the vessel to gradually sink until it settles upright on the sandy ocean floor.

The shipwreck will offer an exciting underwater experience, with divers able to explore multiple rooms, including the engine room, galley and bridge. The vessel’s iconic exterior crane will remain in place and serve as an underwater landmark.

This will be the first time a ship has been purposely sunk in South Australia since the ex-HMAS Hobart in 2002. However, unlike the former missile destroyer, which is a deep dive site suited for experienced scuba divers, the MV Andrew Wilson will be much more accessible.

Resting in shallower waters, the new site will be suitable for beginners and anyone with an entry-level scuba diving qualification. This location was specifically chosen because of this, as well as its ideal seabed conditions, close proximity to nearby boat ramps, and safe distance from major shipping channels.

The State Government has undertaken detailed site assessments and consulted with key industry stakeholders, including the Scuba Divers Federation of South Australia, RecFish SA, and the Environment Protection Authority.

Following the scuttling, an exclusion zone will be temporarily in place around the wreck to allow the vessel to settle safely. A final site inspection will then be carried out before it is opened to the public.

Built in 1962, the MV Andrew Wilson has had a proud history in South Australian waters. It has undertaken local dredging works, supported previous artificial reef installations, and played a pivotal role in the salvage mission of the fatal Whyalla Airlines tragedy in May 2000, where eight people were killed when Whyalla Airlines Flight 904 crashed into Spencer Gulf.