The Lena was apprehended by the Royal Australian Navy after being observed poaching Patagonian toothfish in Australian territory 4000 km south of Albany. It was taken to Fremantle and was placed under the control of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority. It was to be scuttled in deep water. The vessel was then acquired with the intention of making it a diving attraction in Bunbury.
LENA ?–2003
Fishing boat Lena
Description
Fishing vessel
Construction
Steel
Size
Length: 55m
Built
Registered in Russia
Owner
Acquired by the Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industry to be sunk as an attraction
Sunk
19 December 2003
Location
5.5 km off Bunbury
Latitude/Longitude
(-33.3429666667, 115.5649166667)
Sinking
Scuttled as a dive wreck after 12 months of preparation.
Underwater
The Lena lies in 17 m of water with its bow pointing to the west. It is an easy dive site but is best suited to a low (one metre) swell and light winds. There is a lot of marine life. By 2022–23 it became apparent that parts of the wreck are deteriorating and collapsing. Divers who enter the wreck should be mindful of unstable plating.
Gallery
