Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SAS Gelderland
From Halal Explorer
The dive site SAS Gelderland is a recent wreck in the Karbonkelberg headland area on the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
Contents
Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SAS Gelderland Halal Travel Guide
SAS Gelderland wreck map - Map of the dive site at the wreck of the SAS Gelderland at Duiker Point on the Cape Peninsula
Position
- S34°02.070’ E018°18.180’ SAS Gelderland wreck GPS -34.0345,18.303 About halfway between the rock known as "Die Middelmas", off the Oude Schip point to the north, and the offshore rock at Duiker point to the south.
There are two main sections of wreckage known. The central section of the hull with the engine room is at the position given, and the bow is some distance away to the south.
This site is in a Marine Protected Area (2004). A permit is required. The site is within the Karbonkelberg restricted zone.
Name
SAS Gelderland in Table Bay DSC07881 - upright=1.5|The SAS Gelderland in Table Bay SAS Gelderland DSC07882 - View from the starboard quarter Gelderland (1) - Quarterdeck hull section of the SAS Gelderland with davit and hatch to the engine room
The "SAS Gelderland" was a Ford class Seaward Defense Boat, formerly the HMS Brayford, renamed on 30th August 1954. The ship was named after the Dutch battleship that transported Paul Kruger to Europe in 1900. The SAS Gelderland, was scuttled at 10 am on 21st December 1988, North West of Duiker Point, by demolition trials.
Depth
Maximum depth on the sand is 35 m, top of wreckage and nearby reef generally below 30 m
Topography
The vessel was about 40 m long but the main section of wreckage is now only about 20 m as the bow and stern sections were blown right off when scuttling it. The midships section lies moderately intact and upright on the sand at 35 m. There is a reef of huge boulders with some great reef life to the north and a pinnacle which rises to 12 m is fairly close by. Unfortunately the superstructure and funnels are gone and much of the hull has filled with sand. The reef to the south is low profile, not much more than a metre or so above the sand. The bow section is said to lie about 80 m to the south of the main wreckage. There is a stockless anchor near to the midships section on the reef, probably the section to the south, but the exact position is not known.
Geology: Sand bottom with outcrops of granite reef of the late Pre-Cambrian Peninsula pluton.
Conditions
The site is exposed to south west and north west swell end winds, but is reasonably sheltered from south easterly winds. The site is diveable in low to moderate swell height as long as the wave period is short. The site is usually at it's best in summer but there may also be occasional opportunities in autumn and early winter.
Thit is an area which sometimes has upwellings, caused by the south easterly wind, resulting in cold clean water, and which may be followed by plankton blooms, which will reduce visibility again.
If the south easter blows strongly and the trip back will be wet and uncomfortable.
Muslim Friendly Travel TO Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/SAS Gelderland
GPS -34.0345,18.303 width=|align= SAS Gelderland wreck}} The site can only be reached by boat. It is about 7.5 km from the slipway at Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Hout Bay harbour|Hout Bay harbour.
What to See
Marine life
(general indication of biodiversity: Fish, Invertebrates, algae)
- Trivias at Gelderland DSC00665 - Baby toes trivia
- Nudibranch at Gelderland DSC09002 - Tan nudibranch
- Lacy false corals at Gelderland DSC09033 - Lacy false corals
Features
Fairly recent wreckage of small naval vessel.
Photography
(recommendations)
Routes
No particular routes recommended. The site is small.
Stay Safe
Hazards
Cold water. Nitrogen narcosis.
Skills
Ability to deploy a DSMB is recommended. Training/certification to dive below 30m is required.
Equipment
Reel with DSMB, Light, Nitrox and Dry suit recommended.
Nearby
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- Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Wilhelm's Wall|Wilhelm's Wall GPS -34.025033,18.298850
- Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Hakka Reef|Die Middelmas GPS -34.029117,18.305467
- Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Hakka Reef|Hakka Reef Sven's Caves pinnacles GPS -34.029333,18.307000
- Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Hakka Reef|Hakka Reef Southeast pinnacles GPS -34.029667,18.306333
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- Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Star Wall|Star Wall - Lollipop Pinnacle GPS -34.041767,18.303100
- Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Sunfish Pinnacle|Sunfish Pinnacle GPS -34.041250,18.304830
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- Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Stonehenge|Stonehenge North GPS -34.043708,18.305000
- Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Stonehenge|A-340 Pinnacle GPS -34.045667,18.303333
- Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Stonehenge|Stonehenge Central GPS -34.045833,18.305000
- Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Stonehenge|Stonehenge South GPS -34.04725,18.306083
- Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Stonehenge|Stonehenge Blinder GPS -34.048083,18.305267
- Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay/Stonehenge|Stonehenge Wreck GPS -34.047300,18.305583
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| Displacement | 160 | tonnes | |
| Length over all | 36 | m | |
| Beam | 6 | m | |
| Draft | 1.5 | m | |
| Engine power | ? | Hp | |
| Engines | 3 | ||
| Screws | 3 | ||
| Speed | ? | knots | |
| Endurance | ? | n. miles at ? knots | |
| Complement | ? | ||
| Armament | ? |