Sanko Harvest Wreck

Wreck

The captain of the 33,000-ton bulk cargo ship, Sanko Harvest, would rather forget Valentines Day 1991. While taking a shortcut through the unchartered waters off Esperance, the ship struck a hidden reef and began to take on water. Hopes were high that the vessel and her cargo of phosphate could be saved. But when a wild storm blew up the next day, she was battered on more rocks, broke in half, and sank. Oil leaked from the wreck polluting pristine beaches and killing dozens of sea birds and seals.  However, quick action from volunteers and the authorities averted a major disaster.

Today the 174 m-long wreck sits in 30-40 m of water, with the bridge resting 50 m away from the hull. Only experienced divers should attempt the dive, as one has to avoid twisted, sharp metal, dangling wires, and disorientation on this large wreck site. Divers can explore the bridge area, the engine room and the tower cranes. The hull now has a covering of kelp, anemones, sponges and sea tulips. Reef fish usually found on the wreck include boarfish, bullseyes, blue gropers, morwong, sweep, perch and yellowtail.

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