WreckSploration

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WreckSploration

We take photos/video of deep wrecks and process the images into 3D models.

Explore | Preserve | Educate

To build understanding & awareness of WA’s natural history through exploration & preservation of deep shipwrecks & education of the community. WreckSploration is an Incorporated Association registered in October 2022 for the purpose of creating photogrammetry models of shipwrecks outside of the depth range of normal SCUBA. The WreckSploration team was inspired after a

ttending at talk at OzTek 2022 by Dr Matt Carter from Major Projects Foundation. As passionate divers who are all involved in fostering the diving community in Western Australia we are often asked for more details by our peers and the wider community about the ‘deep wrecks’, and photos can only do so much. After Dr Carter's presentation we realised that photogrammetry of these wrecks would be the perfect medium through which to bring them to life for the wider community.. Using our technical diving skills; the WreckSploration Team aims to create photogrammetry models at depths that other divers are unable to reach. Preservation of these wrecks, through the models, will build understanding and awareness of Western Australia’s shipwrecks, and assist with the education of the community on this history lying just off our coast. The WreckSploration team have the support of the WA Museum and Maritime Archaeological Association of Western Australia.

21/04/2026

It was looking like this season would be a blowout, but 2 weather windows in quick succession means the team has been hard at work surveying a new target.

We can confirm the positive identification of the cutter suction dredge "Premier".

Built in 1893, she has a fascinating backstory - originally brought all the way over from Europe specifically to assist in the Fremantle Harbour project. She was also used in the construction of Princess Royal Harbour, Albany.

https://wrecksploration.au/projects/premier/

14/04/2026

After a hit-and-miss season for weather windows, the WreckSploration team finally caught a break to survey a brand-new site.

With only 20 minutes of bottom time at a challenging 115m depth, we successfully captured the data for our latest 3D model.

Presenting: Bankfields.

As the last of Fremantle’s coal hulks, she marked the end of an era and met a truly spectacular end at the hands of the RAAF.

https://wrecksploration.au/projects/bankfields/

03/04/2026

The WreckSploration team was invited to the premiere of Shipwreck Hunters Season 2 a few months ago. After seeing The Langstone featured in Episode 1, we knew we had to get out there and survey the site.

The collaboration and support from the Shipwreck Hunters team has been fantastic, and we’re proud to present our latest shipwreck model: The Langstone.

https://wrecksploration.au/projects/langstone/

28/02/2026

Thanks to the talented Bradley Tulip-Mills, the photogrammetry models from WreckSplorations survey dives are taking on a new look.

The KOZ VII was one of the first wrecks the team surveyed and is now brought back to life in this new visualisation.

20/02/2026

Deep Wrecks: Digital Oceans
MAAWA – 17 February 2026

Last Tuesday, Gareth and Andy presented at MAAWA, sharing an update on a big year for WreckSploration.

Since co-discovering and modelling the Dutch submarine KXI, missing for 80 years, the work has continued.

This year included:

• Participation in the USS Atlanta expedition in the Solomon Islands.
• Survey and identification of three more lost wrecks off Rottnest Island.
• Our largest survey to date on the Key Biscayne.
• Interstate travel for talks at OzTek and Go Dive.
• Podcast appearances and ongoing deep diving with our extended community.

On the night, members explored these wrecks virtually, swimming over sites resting more than 100 metres below the ocean surface.

Thanks to the WA Maritime Museum, and to our sponsors and partners for their continued support.

FY26 still holds many targets to dive and mysteries to solve.

05/02/2026

Last year, Gareth and Martin were invited as guests on Nick Hogles Off Gassing Scuba Podcast.

It was supposed to be all about the discovery of the K-XI submarine wreck; however, as is always the case when you get divers together, the conversation tends to wander.

Expertly kept on track by Nick, they covered the K-XI discovery, plus a bit more about the amazing dive community we have here in Perth.

Listen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2OslB8OpFa7DSUjGL5BIpd?si=3063e09a95ba422a

Listen on YouTube -
https://youtu.be/W2N3h_jE8Nk?si=0nSjkLVdl7i9xxVV

14/12/2025

Congratulations, Alasdair!

Alasdair Cooke has won the 2025 Western Australian Heritage Award for Voluntary Individual Contribution.

Alasdair’s passion, persistence and generosity continue to set the benchmark for community-led maritime heritage work in Western Australia. His magnetometer surveys with the Maritime Discovery Group, along with his collaboration with the WA Museum and local dive teams, have played a pivotal role in locating and identifying numerous wreck sites across our coast.

His contribution has expanded our understanding of WA’s underwater heritage and ensured these stories are preserved for future generations.

A well-deserved recognition — congratulations, Alasdair!

https://www.wa.gov.au/government/document-collections/voluntary-individual-contribution-2025-western-australian-heritage-awards

09/12/2025

WreckSploration at the AAA/AIMA Conference 2025

The AAA/AIMA Convention in Fremantle last week brought together archaeologists, researchers, and technologists from around the world — an incredible mix of ideas, innovation, and international perspectives.

WreckSploration was proud to contribute to the program, with:

• Alex Aberle-Leeming presenting on the Rottnest Shipwrecks Graveyard, showcasing how new digital tools are revealing fresh insights into the final resting places of od vessels, and how they are showing up in unexpected places outside the Wadjemup Kepawirn Scuttle Ground.

• Gareth Glasgow and Andy Oakeley sharing our recent work on the Key Biscayne, the largest 3D survey project we’ve undertaken. Their session explored how modelling and immersive VR are becoming powerful tools for understanding site formation, structural change, and the broader conversation around the decommissioning of commercial marine infrastructure.

• Andrew Oakeley and Patrick Morrison demonstrating how Virtual Reality is bringing archaeological sites to life and providing another tool for site analysis once the fieldwork phase is complete.

Across the conference, it was inspiring to see the range of technology and research being applied — from remote sensing and machine learning to innovative community projects and traditional archeological work. The archaeology community continues to push boundaries in thoughtful, creative ways.

A fantastic event, and a privilege to be part of it.

07/10/2025

Another New Wreck Identified!

Thanks to magnetometer data from Alasdair Cooke and the Maritime Discovery Group, the WreckSploration team have confirmed a new wreck discovery off the south-west of Rottnest Island.

Resting in 90 metres of water with a site footprint of similar length, it proved a big wreck to survey — but with excellent visibility, the team captured the data needed for a full 3D model in a single dive.

Divers Andrew Oakeley, Alex Aberle-Leeming, Craig James, Gareth Glasgow, and guest diver Craig Challen completed the work with support from Luke and the Image Dive & Charters crew.

Following analysis by Dr Ross Anderson and Aurora Philpin at the WA Shipwrecks Museum, Site 40 has been confirmed as the SS Clevedon (1930) — originally built in 1873 in Liverpool as the Chrysomene, a grain clipper later renamed Clevedon under the Fremantle Coal Co. Ltd, before being scuttled in October 1930.

Special thanks to Peter Balalas for providing historic images that helped bring her story to life.

https://wrecksploration.au/projects/clevedon/

17/09/2025

Last weekend, Andy and Alex headed over to Sydney to represent WreckSploration at the Go Diving Show.

It was a brilliant opportunity to share our passion for wreck diving - not only with the tech diving community, but also with enthusiastic divers from right across the community.

A huge thank you to the Go Diving Show team for having us and for putting on such a fantastic event!

Address

Perth, WA
6000

Telephone

+61447440444

Website

http://wrecksploration.au/

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