10/06/2026
The Twofold Bay Charitable Trust and LegaSea Hawkes Bay are delighted to report that the final clearance has been given for the sinking of Twofold Bay to create an artificial reef and dive site.
This follows nearly three years of consultation and planning and readying the vessel for sinking in accordance with the London Protocol for removing contaminants and making it safe for diving.
A formal blessing by Mana Whenua will take place alongside Twofold Bay, West Quay Ahuriri at 10 am on Tuesday 16 June. There is an open invitation for those wishing to attend.
Subject to favourable weather conditions Twofold Bay will be towed out to the site (39.26.860S 176.56.940E) early in the morning of Wednesday 17 June and once there tied up to a pre laid mooring. The sinking is scheduled to take place from 1 pm onwards.
We are expecting considerable interest from boaties wanting to view this historic event. For safety reasons, the Harbour Master will be declaring a 100-metre exclusion zone throughout the towing and sinking process. Please observe this at all times.
Skippers are encouraged to lodge trip reports with the Coast Guard in the normal manner, to ensure they have adequate communication devices, and to ensure that life jackets are worn.
We will endeavour to provide progress reports leading up to the sinking. Stay tuned to Channel 6, which will also broadcast the final blessing by Mana Whenua.
For further public safety, a temporary Rahui will be placed over the site until it is considered safe for divers to explore.
We are extremely grateful to the many companies, volunteers, Mana Whenua, Hawkes Bay Sports Fishing Club, Freedom Divers, Coastguard New Zealand, Harbour Master, Port, local commercial fishers and others who have contributed to this very exciting project.
Keep watching this site for further updates should there be a delay in sinking due to weather conditions. The onshore blessing will, however, go ahead as planned on Tuesday, 16 June, at 10 am.
