Meet the site
The Cementco is the main wreck dive on the northern Moreton sites and a good contrast to the coral of nearby Flinders Reef. The ship had a varied life. Brisbane Scuba records her as commissioned by the Australian Army in 1944 as Crusader 2, and marinelife.org.au describes her as a 200 ft, roughly 500-tonne amphibious support vessel with six vehicle ramps, used to bring army equipment back from New Guinea after the war. Sold in 1947, she spent decades working for Queensland Cement and Lime, carrying dead coral and sand dredged from Moreton Bay to the company's plant, which is where the name Cementco comes from. When her working life ended in the mid-1980s she was to be scuttled as an artificial reef, but she sprang a leak before she was positioned and sank early, finishing upside down about 400 m north-east of Flinders Reef. She now rests inverted on sand at around 30 m, with the hull bottom at about 16-18 m. Most of the wreck is easily accessible from outside, and the gaps between the upturned deck and the seabed let divers look into the structure, where machinery hangs from what was the deck. Divers with wreck training can penetrate sections whose floors, in the words of one charter operator, are carpeted with crayfish. The hull is well grown over with corals and sponges and holds large schools of fish, with Queensland groupers, rays and schooling baitfish common. Because of its depth, bottom time is limited on air, and nitrox extends the dive usefully. It suits advanced divers and is usually combined with a shallower Flinders Reef dive.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Cementco Wreck is recorded as Wreck in Brisbane & Moreton Bay. The listed access is boat (day trip). Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Cementco Wreck suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Cementco Wreck through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Queensland groupers, crayfish (painted and ornate), schooling baitfish and sweetlip, rays, wobbegongs, turtles, soft and hard corals, sponges
Location
Upside-down steel barge lying about 400 m north-east of Flinders Reef, north of Cape Moreton, Moreton Island.
Facilities nearby
Departure facilities at Manly or Scarborough boat harbours.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
brisbanescuba.ausupercatcharters.com.auunidive.orgmarinelife.org.aunigelmarshphotography.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.