Meet the site
The Tasman Hauler was built by Evans Deakin and Co. in Brisbane in November 1959 as the BP Cockburn, a firefighting tug for BP at Kwinana in Western Australia. She was 42.4 m long, 10 m wide and 419 tons, with an eight-cylinder 1,500 bhp diesel. Renamed Cockburn in 1975 and Tasman Hauler in 1983, she ended up in Eden. In 1988 Eden dive operator Gary Becus bought her and the Henry Bolte for $1 each and scuttled the Hauler on 1 October 1988, about eight weeks after the Bolte, just south of Red Point off what is now Beowa National Park.
McFadyen describes her as still fully intact, with a slight list to starboard. The timber decking has been eaten by worms and the upper railings have deteriorated, but the hull, superstructure and machinery remain. Depths run from 15 m at the top of the mast to 20 m on the bridge, 23–26 m on the main deck, 28 m in the engine room and just over 30 m on the sand at the prop. The large propeller and shroud, the rear hold, the engine room with its diesel, gearbox and auxiliary machinery, the corridors and living quarters (with fire damage in a forward port room), and the bridge can all be explored. Merimbula Divers Lodge notes that the cabins and engine room can be explored without instability or much risk of being trapped.
The wreck is known for its growth – lace coral, sponges, soft corals and the most incredible array of jewel anemones in red, green, pink, orange, yellow, white, purple and mauve. Schools of yellowtail kingfish circle the upper parts, with bream, yellowtail, black reef and six-spined leatherjackets, red and striped morwong and trevally. It is the best of the two tugs and one of the best wreck dives on the NSW coast.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Tasman Hauler is recorded as Wreck in Eden & Green Cape. 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- 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 Tasman Hauler suitable for my certification?
The record lists Deep/Advanced + experience. 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 Tasman Hauler 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
Jewel anemones (many colours), lace coral, sponges, soft corals, yellowtail kingfish, bream, yellowtail, black reef leatherjackets, six-spined leatherjackets, red morwong, striped morwong, trevally, nannygai
Location
Intact 42 m firefighting tug scuttled in 1988 just south of Red Point off Beowa National Park, a 10-minute run across Twofold Bay from Eden; sits upright with a slight starboard list, 15 m at the mast to just over 30 m at the prop.
Facilities nearby
Quarantine Bay ramp (toilets, cleaning tables) and Snug Cove, Eden; fills at Dive Eden (via Pickles Fishing and Outdoors, 7 days) and Merimbula Divers Lodge.
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
michaelmcfadyenscuba.infomichaelmcfadyenscuba.infomarinelife.org.aumerimbuladiverslodge.com.audiveeden.com.aueden.nsw.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.