Meet the site
The Advance is a small, deep and relatively intact tug wreck off Catherine Hill Bay. COAST Magazine records her as a 180-ton iron screw steamer tug which, after surviving two earlier collisions, was lost in 1908; seven of her eight crew died. The Pro Dive network's site notes give the date as 25 December 1908 and the cause as a collision. She lies about 5 km off Catherine Hill Bay and about 6 km south of Moon Island. What makes the Advance special is her condition. Pro Dive describes an upright tug sitting on sand in 43-46 m, with the boiler, the galley stove and intact side plating still in place. Grey Nurse Charters, which lists her at 49 m, calls her relatively intact with a distinctive bow that has recently been damaged, but still clearly recognisable - an oasis of fish on the surrounding sand. For a wreck more than a century old in an exposed ocean location, that is unusual on the NSW coast, where most steamers of the era are reduced to machinery and ribs. Because she stands alone on sand, the wreck concentrates fish. Grey Nurse Charters notes wobbegongs are particularly prevalent, and Pro Dive mentions nannygai; schools of yellowtail and bullseyes around the hull are typical of deep wrecks in this area. Sponges and small gorgonians grow on the plating. At 43-49 m, the dive requires decompression for any meaningful bottom time, and narcosis on air is severe. It is suited to trained technical divers using trimix and decompression gases, who will find one of the most intact small wrecks between Newcastle and Sydney. The compact size means a single dive can cover the whole ship.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
SS Advance wreck (Catherine Hill Bay) is recorded as Wreck in Newcastle & Lake Macquarie. The listed access is boat. 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.
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 SS Advance wreck (Catherine Hill Bay) 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 SS Advance wreck (Catherine Hill Bay) 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
Wobbegong sharks (numerous), nannygai, yellowtail, bullseyes, sponges, small gorgonians
Location
An iron screw tug sunk after a collision on Christmas Day 1908, sitting upright on sand in 43-49 m about 5 km off Catherine Hill Bay and 6 km south of Moon Island.
Facilities nearby
Departs Swansea: ramp parking and toilets at Black Neds Bay; air and trimix fills by arrangement in the Newcastle/Swansea area.
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
greynurse.com.auprodive.com.aucoastmagazine.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.