One example of this in Western Australia is the ex-HMAS Swan. Built in the late 1960s in Melbourne, Swan was a River-class Destroyer Escort that served with the Royal Australian Navy for more than 20 years. From the 1970s through to the 1990s, she operated across Australian and Asian waters, taking part in training exercises, patrols and fleet operations.
When Swan was decommissioned, she was gifted to Western Australia with a new role in mind. In 1997, the vessel was deliberately scuttled off the coast of Dunsborough to create an artificial reef and dive site. Before sinking, the ship underwent extensive preparation. All oil, lead, electrical wiring and other potentially harmful materials were removed to minimise any impact on the surrounding marine environment.
In the years since, the wreck has changed significantly. Coral has established itself across the structure, while fish use the ship’s passageways for shelter. What was once a naval vessel is now part of the local reef system.
Today, Swan is home to more than a hundred species of fish and is one of WA’s most popular dive sites, offering an opportunity to move through a piece of naval history while observing a mature artificial reef supporting a wide range of marine life.
