Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
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Quick answers
Which local rescue or training agency should I check first?
Use the local lens: coastguard/federation norms and the shop briefing for that bay — not a blog visibility claim.
Why is risk scored so high here?
Silt, entanglement, lost exits and the urge to “just look inside” show up in fatality reports. Night-plus-wreck is worse.
What is the Yongala?
A 1911 passenger steamer off Queensland, now a protected historic wreck and a famous GBR dive — typically exterior.
What is the Thistlegorm?
A 1941 British cargo ship bombed in the Red Sea, rediscovered by Cousteau’s team in the 1950s, now a mass recreational wreck.
Are wrecks war graves?
Many are. Touching remains or souvenirs is illegal and indecent.
Do people need trimix?
Not for typical recreational wreck exteriors. Deep technical wrecks are another sport.
Exterior wrecks use ordinary recreational kit plus a light and a cutter. Overhead wrecks add reels, redundant light and often a different gas plan.
A camera housing is the item that most often replaces a reel in a bad plan.
Core kit
- Primary light — Even on an exterior, holds are dark.
- Cutter or shears — Line and net exist on wrecks that look clean.
- SMB and reel (boat) — The boat still has to find the group.
- Computer with conservative setting — Depth can jump on a wall-like hull.
- Exposure protection — Rust and hydroids cut.
- Slate map — The cheapest orientation tool.
Optional
- Guideline reel — Required for overhead; vanity on an exterior.
- Redundant light — Overhead default.
- Sidemount or twins — Technical configurations.
- Full-face only if trained — Communication vs complexity.
Care
- Rinse rust and silt — Wrecks eat zippers.
- Service lights after salt — The failure is always at the hatch.
- Check cutter edge — A dull cutter is jewellery.
- Do not store reels wet — Line rot is a navigation failure.
Budget bands
- Exterior year — Light, cutter, specialty course.
- Overhead year — Reel, backup light, training dives.
- Tech year — Gas and twins — a different budget.
- Skip — A wreck-penetration GoPro mount as the first buy.
Buy a cutter before a camera tray. The wreck already has enough ghosts.