Plane Wreck Dive

Carl Fallon

I had always heard of this plane wreck called `The Fire Fly`. I was told it had collided with another plane and was forced to make an emergency water landing. This always came to mind every time I would travel across the waters of Jervis Bay, when I would guess the where about of the wreck site.

My ears pricked up when I could hear the boat captain announcing we where able to make an extra dive, on a wreck of an old plane. While in transit to the wreck site we discussed the amazing history of the planes collision. The Captain went on to say that the pilot cut the planes engine to prevent the propeller from spinning and digging into the water on impact. The plane glided into land. It skidded and bumped until finally coming to rest on Jervis bays calm blue runway. A few moments passed and the captain finished by saying the pilot and co-pilot calmly climbed out of the cockpit onto the wing and jumped off into the water.

Earlier in the day we did 2 dives out in the bay where we bumped into a group of Grey Nurse Sharks cruising around under an overhang. Huge school of baitfish, massive swim throughs, and rare aquatic animals are just some of Jervis bays little underwater secrets that you will find here on most dives.

We finally arrived at the wreck site. Not knowing exactly where the plane lied I jumped in to snorkel for the site. Jervis bay`s pure white sand and a plane wrecks dark growth on its metallic body came together to form an amazing silhouette. We had found the dive site.

Jumping in to dive the wreck site, I was intrigued about how the wreck would look underwater. We all grouped in our buddy pairs ready for the decent. Hovering over the plane as though we where the planes flying overhead this time. Descending through the same area that the plane itself had, as it sunk to its final resting point made me even more curious to just how she finally rested. First the distinct plane outline came to view. Then finally we could see her.

The plane now sits in an upright position as though she was still on the runway, ready for take off. She stands not quite as proud as she once stood but still, the kids get that buzzing feeling as if we where at the airport watching her being prepared for take off. Wondering what it would be like to fly, I made myself neutrally buoyant and this time I did the fly by. The wreck is slightly listed with it port side wing slowly sinking beneath the sand. I could see a group of about ten juvenile Port Jackson sharks, (about ten centimetres long) swimming just of the wreck. Small fish formed a halo over the wreck, swimming with the illusion of protection. Hovering over the wreck we spotted the pilots fully packed parachute still positioned behind his seat in the cockpit. With a picture of the landing still strong in my mind, this site reinforced my thoughts of bravery from the pilot.

As my air-supply dropped, I signalled to my buddy to surface. We slowly made our way up to our stop point and hovered, still never taking our eyes of the wreck. We watched the baitfish-swimming round in circles, following each other�s tail. Almost close enough to touch. Massive starfish slowly crept across the sand. Our 3 minutes had passed so we both surfaced and boarded the boat.

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