Download Charitable Trust - New Zealand Divewrecks

Charitable Trust
Box 14-205 Wellington. www.divewreck.co.nz
[email protected]
Introduction
The Sink F69 Charitable Trust was formed solely for the acquisition of the retired HMNZS Wellington, a
Leander class frigate, utilising the vessel to create an artificial marine reef and recreational diver attraction.
The trust obtained all the necessary consents in 2003, allowing placement of the former HMNZS Wellington
onto the seabed off the south coast of Wellington. Sink date is the 12th November, calm weather dependant.
The former HMNZS Wellington, currently at Devonport Naval Base
Whilst being prepared for life under the sea, the former HMNZS Wellington will be moored in front of NZ’s
National Museum, Te Papa Tongarewa. at Taranaki Wharf. Open to the public weekends, the ship will be an
exciting addition to Wellington’s vibrant waterfront.
The frigate will then be placed onto the seabed upright, east of Tapu te Ranga Island, Island Bay. The
sinking location’s close proximity to the coast, an international airport and a vibrant city, will ensure the
frigate is a significant attraction to individual dive tourists, organised groups and commercial operators.
Visible to passing aircraft on clear days, the HMNZS Wellington will be identified to boats and coastal users
with 4 buoys, permanently attached to the ship. These will provide safe access points for divers visiting the
vessel and allow for decompression stops, if required, when divers are returning to the surface.
It is intended that the artificial reef will become Wellington’s principal recreational dive location, adding a
significant, challenging and exciting eco-tourism attraction to the city.
In support of this project, Wellington City Council has provided an under-write in its 2004/5 Annual Plan,
covering the costs associated with acquisition, preparation and scuttling of F69. This under-write and the
incredible support from sponsors highlighted on the last page of this document, will ensure success of
Project Wellington.
Vessel Background
A Leander Class batch III Frigate, pennant number F69, the HMNZS WELLINGTON served 18 years in the
Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), after first serving in the Royal Navy (UK) as HMS BACCHANTE.
HMNZS WELLINGTON was acquired
second hand from the Royal Navy in 1981.
As HMS BACCHANTE this Leander class
Frigate had already served 12 years in Royal
Navy service. However, as a gun-armed
Leander she was compatible with New
Zealand’s existing Leander-class Frigates
and so was seen as a suitable addition to the
RNZN fleet.
The Frigate sailed for New Zealand in 1982
and went straight into a lengthy refit to bring
her into line with RNZN standards.
Other changes were made to update the ship
for the 1980s, including RCA digital fire control system and gunnery radar, anti-missile chaff launchers, new
Electronic Support Measures equipment and updated surface search radar.
The refit took three years and on 21 August 1986 the Frigate F69 was re-commissioned, provided with its
charter and name by the City of Wellington. From that time HMNZS WELLINGTON was an integral part of
the Navy’s Frigate squadron. She then began a pattern of exercises and deployments including evaluation in
the Hauraki Gulf and the Bay of Plenty; exercises off Australia; several blue ocean medi-vac situations, and
regular deployments to the annual Five Power Defence Arrangement exercises held in the South China Sea.
Since decommissioning, the vessel has remained at Devonport. The HMNZS Wellington is currently being
utilised as parts for the HMNZS Canterbury and is expected to be released to the SinkF69 Trust in April,
2005.
The vessel has a length of 113.21m, a beam of
13.4m, and a draft of 4m and has a displacement of
3,084 tonnes.
The HMNZS Wellington was powered by a twin
screw steam turbine driving two shafts with the
ability to deliver 30,000 horsepower; fitted out with
115mm guns, Seacat guided missile system, later
replaced by Phalanx; triple barreled torpedo tubes
and a Wasp helicopter carrying homing torpedoes.
Her top speed was 30 knots. F69 had a complement
of 250 officers and ratings.
Fuel, oil and sewerage tanks have been
emptied and cleaned by RNZN. The
Devonport Naval Dockyard has a purpose
built tank-cleaning vessel (TCV) to
achieve this.
The fuel and water tanks will have to be
pumped full of clean seawater to ensure
stability of the vessel whilst under tow to
Wellington, as the HMNZS Wellington is
no longer able to power under her own
steam, providing parts to her sister ship.
Vessel Preparation
On her arrival in Wellington, a team of workers, under the supervision of project management company
EventPro Limited, will prepare F69 for her life under the sea. The EventPro team will be advised and
supported by ex-naval personnel, diving experts and the trust.
The preparatory work will ensure there is no residual hydraulic or lubricating
oil on board. This will be achieved to the satisfaction of the Wellington
Regional Council, as required in the Resource Consent. Pumps, motors,
gearboxes and generators will be removed as will bridge windows, any other
floatable material such as wooden doors, wooden desks and mattresses. All nonferrous metals such as copper cabling, cable trays and aluminium handrails will
be removed and sold as scrap metal.
The alloy masts will be removed to conform to consent conditions providing clearance for vessels passing
over the ship once on the seabed. Removal of the alloy masts and funnel will also have an effect by reducing
galvanic reactions with steel on the ship. This will greatly assist in the longevity of the vessel underwater and
will avoid the situation that has been reported with the Rainbow Warrior where corrosion has reduced the
life of the vessel.
During the cleanup process, preparation for the scuttling of the vessel will
occur, including making it safe and diver friendly. This will involve closing
off certain sections of the ship for safety reasons such as holding tanks, small
spaces, etc. All doors, hatches and potential snags will be removed and a
considerable number of light holes and large diver entry and exit holes will
be cut in the hull. When a diver enters the ship, an exit will always be nearby.
The Ship Reefing Programme
Artificial reef construction and research were primarily
centered in Japan and the United States, with other
countries such as Australia, United Kingdom and New
Zealand now implementing their own artificial reefing
initiatives.
The first artificial reefs in the United States were
constructed in the mid-1800's. The Japanese had begun
constructing artificial reefs several hundred years earlier.
The United States utilises the reefs primarily to enhance
sea-life for fishing and more recently as diver attractions.
Reefs in Japan were mainly constructed to enhance
commercial fishing.
The HMNZS Waikato, on its way to the seabed in 2000
Encrusting and reef building organisms such as algae, sponges, gorgonians, and other benthic organisms,
require solid substrate to incorporate a reef community; surface area is the limiting factor.
The deployment of artificial structure on the seabed has an immediate effect: algae begins to grow,
encrusting organisms, drifting as planktonic larvae in the water column, secure themselves to every available
surface, sea life finds temporary sanctuary amongst protective overhangs, and pelagic fish soon associate to
the vertical relief. The subsequent colonization into a functioning reef
evolves over time, attracting numerous permanent finfish and invertebrate
species, as well as larger pelagic and transient species such as shark,
barracuda, kingfish, kahawai, stingrays, etc.
Artificial reef structure provides two primary services critical to the survival of most marine organisms –
protection from predation and an ample forage source. Symbiotic relationships, such as the cleansing of
parasites, are an additional benefit that attracts organisms to reef communities. The presence of complex
benthic habitats, typical of artificial reefs, provides many interstitial areas for juvenile organisms to hide,
reducing the potential for predation. It has been proven that this increased survivability of pre-recruits, in a
particular species, will eventually increase the future spawning stock biomass, and thus the fishery.
The establishment of a reef community produces large communities of
diverse benthic organisms such as sponges, gorgonians, hydroids,
anthozoans, bryozoans, crustaceans, and algae. This abundance of
benthic species creates an ample food supply for recreationally and
commercially important marine species such as crabs, snapper, lobster,
flounder, etc. Furthermore, species such as these may supplement the diet
of larger piscivores, which have been noted in copious quantities on
many artificial reefs. This abundance of prey attracts numerous species to
artificial reefs, helping to establish a successful and thriving community.
In 1976, Japan began a 6 year program with $250 million for artificial reef projects. Of this $65 million was
used for research alone. In 1982, the Japanese government started another 6 year plan with approximately
$500 million to be spent on artificial reef implementation.
Artificial reefs have been a tremendous help in coastal Alabama to both the
commercial and sport fishing industry. Catches of reef fish species, such as
red snapper and grey triggerfish, probably exceed all other coastal areas in
the United States. The Alabama Marine Resources Division along with a
great many private fishers have been intensely active in constructing
artificial reefs. Other states are following the example set by Alabama and
are planning or already have in place their own special reef-building zones.
Canada and the State of Florida, USA, have completed 100's of artificial
reefs using decommissioned ships, concrete type constructions and more
recently sinking retired drilling platforms into deeper water. Retired ships
continue to be a significant source of material for artificial reefs in these
regions and once sunk, quickly become a significant source of marine life.
The ship reefing programme here in New Zealand is well supported by the benefits
documented with comparable overseas ventures and locally with the Rainbow Warrior,
HMNZS Tui and HMNZS Waikato artificial reef sites in Northland, NZ.
By placing a properly prepared and safeguarded ship of the stature of HMNZS Wellington in a
suitably selected location, which offers safe diving, SINKF69 is confident that as a result there
will be significant potential to develop the growing recreational diving market, thus positively
impacting the local economy.
The NZ Dive Industry supports this view. There is ample documentation in overseas studies that
demonstrates the potential for purposefully created dive wrecks to achieve significant economic benefits for
the community. Studies carried out in Canada, the United States, and Australia have all clearly shown the
economic benefits of vessels sunk in their region. The HMNZS Waikato, HMNZS Tui and the Rainbow
Warrior are excellent local examples of the benefits achieved from the ship reefing programme.
The Rainbow Warrior, now covered in sponges, sea anemones and coralines.
In the resource consent application to sink the HMNZS Waikato a specialist marine ecologist observed that
the experience of the HMNZS Tui and Rainbow Warrior demonstrated that such vessels provide a range of
ecological opportunities, which have been fully exploited by marine life. A diverse fish community has
colonised both vessels and sessile marine life such as sea squirts, sponges and small algae have attached over
much of their hulls. Giant snapper are often seen within the vessel with schools around its upper structure.
The sinking of the HMNZS Wellington will augment the existing active dive industry using the South Coast
of Wellington City. The HMNZS Wellington will provide a highly interesting additional dive focus close to
existing launching facilities. It will significantly increase the profile and marketability of the Wellington
coast as an international dive destination offering a diversity of diving experiences.
Why the frigate HMNZS Wellington?
The first reason for choosing the HMNZS Wellington was one of availability.
Put simply, such vessels do not come out of commission often and are not
always available to be used as proposed by SINKF69. The opportunity value
the vessel represents is significant and should not be underestimated. By way
of example, the Rainbow Warrior, HMNZS Tui and HMNZS Waikato sinkings
received free international/national television and printed media coverage for
the Northland Region. SINKF69 believes that the sinking of the HMNZS
Wellington off the coast of its namesake City will exceed the national and
international interest given to the Northland projects.
The type of construction used in warships such as HMNZS Wellington is
considered to be particularly suitable for use as a diving wreck. It has
relatively large internal areas and companionways that will provide safe
diving for those who want to explore the internal spaces of the vessel. Her
armament and sleek lines coupled with the helicopter hangar and flight deck
will make an impressive diving wreck.
The HMNZS Wellington has a well-publicised history and in a small nation like New Zealand most New
Zealand adults will probably have heard something about the vessel during their lifetime. There is a clear
linkage between the ship, Wellington City (the City of her charter) and the public, that would not exist for
other less auspicious vessels.
In a study of tourism potential of wreck diving in British Columbia, the authors commented that the market
appeal for wreck diving is far greater than other diving activities, therefore the use of alternative materials
for reef development would not stimulate BC’s markets. Like New Zealand, the BC coast has an abundance
of natural reefs.
In summary, SINKF69 firmly believes that the frigate HMNZS Wellington represents a significant
opportunity for the local and regional community and not just divers as a special interest group.
New Zealand Examples - Proven Benefits
The Rainbow Warrior, HMNZS Tui and HMNZS Waikato, sunk off the
Northland coast provide a benchmark against which the benefits of the
Project Wellington proposal can be assessed. Some of the benefits of the
HMNZS Tui and HMNZS Waikato projects have been:
•
Significant employment during the preparation of the vessels for sinking.
•
Significantly increased business for dive charter boats, moteliers and
other service/tourism providers.
•
Provision of a safe valuable recreational experience
and dive training ground.
•
As a basis for scientific study into artificial reefs and potential for ongoing research into the evolution of
these ships as they become part of and contribute to the surrounding marine ecosystem.
The HMNZS Tui, a living reef!
The Rainbow Warrior, HMNZS Tui and HMNZS Waikato projects received the support of the community,
consent agencies, Greenpeace, NZ Navy and NZ Government. They have proven to be an environmentally
sustainable and beneficial activity.
The economic multiplier value of the two ships sunk purposefully off Tutukaka was estimated at
approximately $20million in 2002, extending from Auckland to the Far North. However, since the HMNZS
Waikato and HMNZS Tui were scuttled, in excess of $65million has been invested in Tutukaka alone,
focussed on the dive industry that’s is burgeoning around Tutukaka.
Whangarei has also seen investment in tourism infrastructure, transforming itself into a sidewalk Café city
focussed on tourists passing through. This is clearly a significant positive economic impact to the region.
Site Selection
SINKF69 developed a number of criteria to guide the assessment of several possible sites. The selected site
above provided the right depth, good shelter, good underwater visibility, a flat sandy seabed with low
biological activity.
The sinking location has also been endorsed by local Wellington iwi’s, Te Atiawa and Ngati Toa.
The project is one for the maximum benefit of the Wellington Region and therefore there was good reason to
seek a site close to Wellington City. It is a reasonable proposition that the closer the site is to Wellington
City the more likely it is to be used. Exposure to predominant winds and safety are also key issues. Sites
further from Wellington City are more difficult to access, particularly for small recreational (i.e. non-charter)
craft. Consideration of more distant sites was not excluded, but the further a potentially suitable site is from
Wellington City, the more ideal the site would have to be in terms of meeting all of the other criteria set out
in the resource consent.
A scientific Biological Effects Assessment was completed in 2002. An initial seabed sweep was undertaken
by a dive vessel with a colour depth sounder and the area confirmed as not having any reefs or rock outcrops,
which would be smothered, or damage the vessel once sunk. Divers then inspected the site and confirmed the
depth sounder observations.
An environmental scientific team was then employed to undertake a comprehensive biological assessment of
the area. The underwater study was conducted over several days with lab analysis of seabed core sampling
being done by the Victoria University Marine Lab situated at Island Bay.
The survey showed the site is made up of well-sorted sand with very little life evident in samples taken from
this area of the seabed. No at risk species were found in the survey. It was also noted during the several days
of the survey, no fish were seen in the area, although Blue Cod are known to traverse the area at times. With
no food source evident in the well-sorted sand, this was not un-expected. Once the ship is in place this will
obviously quickly change, as has been the case on other wrecks in the area.
In June 2004 another study was undertaken in cooperation with NIWA. They performed a sonar bathemetry
of the sinking location, reconfirming all studies undertaken in 2002/3, again showing the suitability of the
location for placement of F69. The inset map shows the scan location in relation to the coast and Tapu te
Ranga Island.
This site is also well served by existing boat ramps and is within 10 minutes of the centre of Wellington City.
Accommodation and other tourist attractions in the area also provide for maximisation of the HMNZS
Wellington as a tourist attraction and it will provide considerable economic returns for the region. This will
increase the number of days that visitors will stay in the area, further increasing the economic multiplier
effect of the sinking of the HMNZS Wellington.
The south coast of Wellington City is regularly utilised by dive charter businesses from as far away as
Wanganui and Palmerston North, with divers from all over New Zealand and overseas also visiting. The area
is notable for its dive attractiveness and the site chosen is known for its general water clarity.
The process of sinking F69
The vessel will be towed from the preparation site at Queens Wharf, within Wellington harbour, to the
approved sinking site. The vessel relocation will be carried out during suitably clement weather. Once the
vessel is safely and securely moored at the site, at least 24 hours will be required to finally prepare then sink
the vessel.
The vessel will be anchored by the bow over the sinking site. At the time of sinking the tug will be used to
manoeuvre the vessel into the correct North/South orientation, bow pointing into the predominant swell
direction to minimise exposure to storm wave energy once below the surface.
The sinking will require the use of low impact cutting charges placed in the lower hull of the vessel in a well
proven method, which has been used successfully with the HMNZS Waikato and also in Australia and
Canada. By the time of sinking the HMNZS Wellington this method will have been utilised in the sinking of
at least 12 similar ex-naval vessels, including 4 Leander Class Frigates. A “Blow up a Warship!!” raffle
ticket will be drawn for the lucky ticket holder to push the button, sending the ship to the seabed.
The scuttling method will result in the vessel sinking slightly bow first and settling perfectly upright on the
seabed. This has been the result with the other vessels sunk by this proven method.
SINKF69 has detailed video and documentary information of the
HMNZS Waikato and HMAS Hobart sinking procedure. Using this
and material from other sinkings, a scuttling management plan has
been developed in liaison with and approved by the Wellington
Regional Council Harbour Master. This plan includes such matters as
security, management of the sinking area, danger area/cordon,
warning signals and post sinking management. It will include a pre
sinking assessment of the area on the sinking day, for any cetaceans
(whales and dolphins) and other sea life such as seals and penguins.
Conclusion
It is highly apparent from the research material content collected during preparation for the publicly notified
resource consent process, that the benefits of utilising retired naval ships from the Royal New Zealand Navy
for use as artificial reef and diver attractions around our coast, is clearly illustrated.
As these highly compartmentalised vessels were specifically constructed for use in the type of "Blue Ocean"
surrounding New Zealand, they are ideal as structurally sound construction materials for artificial reef
deployment in NZ coastal areas.
Ensuring the HMNZS Wellington is utilised as an artificial reef, having
ended its useful service career, will ensure the communities and marine
ecosystems that surround her will continue to benefit from F69 for many
years to follow.
Highly complex, made safe for divers, cleaned and environmentally
prepared, these ships will add to the immense amount of research material
that supports their use as artificial reefs, becoming home to hundreds of
marine species and as tourism attractions for many 1000's of divers annually
from throughout New Zealand and overseas.
For updates, information about sponsorship opportunities, donations
or any enquiries, please contact
THE SINKF69 CHARITABLE TRUST
Box 14-205
Kilbirnie, Wellington
email: [email protected]
http://www.divewreck.co.nz/f69
Sponsored by
……..
Box 14-205, Kilbirnie, Wellington. New Zealand 6003.
www.divewreck.co.nz