The HMNZS Wellington or F69 Wellington Frigate is a young and large wreck that was scuttled in 2005.

Name Dive Site:	HMNZS Wellington (F69)
Depth:	15-22m (49-72ft)
Visibility:	2-15m (6-49ft)
Inserted/Added by:	splash_gordon
Rated:	Rated 5.0, 2 votes
Specifications:

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The frigate HMNZS Wellington was scuttled November 13th 2005, and was sitting upright in 21 meters of water, East of Tapu Te Ranga Island. Today you will find the frigate in three sections, which results in 2 separate exciting dives. The visibility ranges from one meter to 15 meters, with an average of about eight meters.

Boats of all sizes surrounded the former HMNZS Wellington (F69) a Batch Leander Class frigate as it sunk to her resting place off the coast if Island Bay in Wellington, to become a living reef for divers. It took just one minute 50 seconds to sink HMNZS Wellington in the waters off Island Bay. Two divers at SplashGordon, Dave Drane and Craig Hopkins were part of the very first group of divers to dive this amazing vessel with our Wellington Mayor, Kerry Prendergast, after police gave the all clear.

A Leander class frigate, the F69 Wellington served 18 years in the Royal New Zealand Navy, after first serving 12 years in the Royal Navy (UK) as the HMS Bacchante. After a three year refit, the Bacchante was decommissioned as the Wellington on 21 August 1986. After it’s decommissioning, it sat at Devonport and was used primarily as parts for the HMNZS Canterbury. The vessel has a length of 113.21 meters, a beam of 13.4 meters and a draft of 4 meters with displacement of 3,084 tonnes. The Wellington was powered by a twin screw steam turbine, driving two shafts with the ability to deliver 30,000 horsepower. Fitted with 115mm guns and seacat guided missile system, it was later replaced by phalanx triple barreled torpedo tubes and a WASP helicopter, carrying homing torpedoes. Her top speed was 30 knots and had a compliment of 250 officers and ratings.

There are presently three mooring lines tied to the frigate and there is already plenty of fish life around and in the wreck. Although the top of the wreck is fairly shallow, we recommend divers be advanced open water level or higher or alternatively fairly experienced open water divers. By experienced we mean, have done 30 dives plus and have dived in similar conditions. If unsure, we can provide an experienced guide for a small additional cost. Please request this when booking if needed.

Take a look at all the pictures!