Meet the site
The Ham Luong, registration DK 06, was a 15 m steel Vietnamese refugee boat that arrived in Darwin in 1977. Like the other refugee craft that were impounded after their passengers were processed, she sat unused for several years before being prepared for scuttling. Between 1976 and 1981 more than 50 boats carrying Vietnamese refugees reached Australia's northern coast, most of them arriving in Darwin Harbour. Several of the steel boats were later cleaned and scuttled west of Cullen Bay together with a redundant construction barge to create a fishing and diving reef, and the site was extended in later years with a confiscated illegal fishing boat. The group sits in 20-25 m within a few hundred metres, and some operators have linked the wrecks with rope so that more than one can be visited on a dive. She was sunk close to the John Holland Barge and the Song Saigon (DSAC gives 1983; marinelife.org.au 1985).
The Ham Luong sits upright on the bottom in 21-25 m. She is small and simple, but four decades on the seabed have turned her into a compact reef, and the fish life is dense for the size of the structure: gropers, surgeonfish, black jewfish, coral trout, batfish, parrotfish and trevally are all recorded here, along with the golden snapper, cod and tuskfish that NT Fisheries lists for the complex. Interior spaces silt up very quickly, so it is a wreck to look at from outside. Because she can be seen in a single lap, the Ham Luong is usually dived in combination with the Song Saigon and the barge, and on a good neap it is possible to take in all three. It suits Advanced divers or Open Water divers with a guide who are comfortable at 25 m in limited visibility.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
DK 06 Ham Luong is recorded as Wreck in Darwin Harbour. 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.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
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 DK 06 Ham Luong 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 DK 06 Ham Luong 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
Gropers, surgeonfish, black jewfish, coral trout, batfish, parrotfish, trevally, golden snapper, estuary cod, tuskfish
Location
Outer Darwin Harbour west of Cullen Bay, in the refugee-boat artificial reef complex with the Song Saigon and John Holland Barge.
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
nt.gov.audsac.com.aumarinelife.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.