Hopper Barge 656 Wreck Dive
Quick facts on our Hopper Barge 656 wreck dive
- Location: 3NM offshore Long Reef Artificial Reef Area
- Diver Level: T1/ Tec45
- Depth: 45-51m
- Recommended Gas: 21% & 50% / 21/20 & 50% / 21/35 & 50%
- Dive time: 25-30min BT / 60-75min TRT
- Visibility: 5m to 40m
- Season: All year
Dive a great Sydney wreck off Long Reef
The Hopper barge 656 was constructed in 1957, made of steel, was 206 Gross tonnes, LOA of 46.9 metres, and was owned by the NSW Maritime Service Board (MSB). The barge was scuttled in 1980 off Long Reef in the northern part of the artificial reef area.
Sydney wreck diving at its best
The Hopper Barge 656 sits upright surrounded by sand, generally in a west to east direction. This is a very interesting wreck dive with most of the wreck still fully intact; however it is starting to show signs of its age, with some large holes in deck sheeting on the port and starboard hull in several areas, also some areas have fallen in around the forward hold. The power plant room is very similar to the void found on the Trio with a large free standing valve wheel in the centre of the room, technical scuba divers can enter the power plant room via one hole located in the hold bulkhead, several other areas can be penetrated but caution must be taken due to some degradation and siltation.
A fish-filled feast for the eyes
Large numbers of fish can be seen throughout the wreck or around the surrounding sand. The wreck lays in 48 metres of water with the hull around 44 metres with technical scuba divers getting an average of 46 metres.
Come wreck diving with us!
Sydney wreck diving doesn’t get much better than this. Dive Sydney with the best scuba diving team in the business!