South Tomi
GPS: S 28° 43.862'
E 114° 33.333'
Location: Geraldton
Site depth: 25 metres
Divable conditions: <1.5 metre swell
Visibilty: 2-10 metres
Vessel: Fishing Vessel
Construction: Steel
Tons: Unknown
Vessel length: 57 metres
Wreck event: Purpose sunk 2004
The South Tomi was made infamous after one of the longest pursuits in the Royal Australian Navy's history. Originally spotted illegally fishing in Australian waters for Patagonian Toothfish, the South Tomi was pursued by the RAN for over 6,000 kilometres where it was finally boarded and confiscated 300 miles from the South African coast and brought back to Fremantle. The catch worth over 1 million dollars was sold by the Government and the vessel turned over to the city of Geraldton to be used as a dive attraction.
Purpose sunk in 2004, the 60 metre long fishing vessel sits in 25 metres of water, 3 miles from the Batavia Coast Marina. The site is exposed to the swell and is best dived in calm conditions. Unfortunately, since the disbandment of the Geraldton Artificial Reef Commitee, the wreck no longer has a buoy or moorings attached and the site sits unmarked, roughly 200 metres east of the South Tommi Isolated danger marker used for commercial shipping. Laying on a south west to north east axis, the vessel sits upright starting at 14 metres depth with the wheelhouse removed and open access panels on each level for the entire length of the wreck. The site is easily navigated with average natural light and allows for penetration right down to the engine room.