Meet the site
The MV Fairwind is one of the more remarkable finds in Australian technical wreck diving: a 120-foot (37 m), 250-ton motor lighter built for the Australian Army in 1946, later loaned to the Department of External Affairs for fisheries survey work in Papua New Guinea. On 23 June 1950, while running from Port Moresby to Sydney, she was caught in a cyclone off the NSW mid-north coast; her final radio message reported she was seeking shelter behind North Solitary Island, short of fuel, and would try to make Coffs Harbour. She was never heard from again, and all 17 crew — including 12 Papuan crewmen — were lost. The wreck went unfound for nearly sixty years until a group of amateur technical divers located her off South West Rocks in August 2009, sitting upright on the bottom in 87 metres with her forward and aft king posts still projecting 15 metres off the seabed. The wreck is described as mostly intact, an unusual state for a vessel this old at this depth, with a recognisable bow, a massive rudder and twin propellers at the stern and a collapsed superstructure and bridge area amidships that has spilled artefacts including cooking equipment and old batteries onto the surrounding wreckage. A large open section in the central hold leads to a passageway that has been penetrated by experienced technical divers, though it is tight, silty and considered genuinely dangerous rather than a casual swim-through. The site carries obvious historical weight as a war-era loss with a confirmed death toll, and its rediscovery is a significant piece of local diving history for South West Rocks. Practically, it is one of the most demanding wreck dives on the NSW coast: unpredictable current of three to four knots, depths well into decompression territory, entangling fishing traces on the structure, and the need for meticulous planning make it suitable only for well-equipped technical divers diving with an experienced local operator who knows the wreck's exact position and current behaviour.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
MV Fairwind wreck is recorded as Wreck in South West Rocks. The listed access is boat (multi-day/liveaboard). 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.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
- 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 MV Fairwind wreck suitable for my certification?
The record lists Technical (decompression). 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 MV Fairwind 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
Game fish (kingfish, cobia), coral encrusting the hull, anemones, schooling reef fish over the structure
Location
A former Australian Army motor lighter lost with all 17 crew in a cyclone in June 1950 while running from Port Moresby to Sydney; found by amateur divers off South West Rocks in August 2009, sitting upright and largely intact in 87 m.
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
en.wikipedia.orgfishrock.com.aufishrock.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.