Frigate to become dive attraction

Resource consent has been granted to sink the decommissioned frigate Canterbury as an artificial reef and dive attraction in Deep Water Cove in the outer Bay of Islands.

The Northland Regional Council has granted the Bay of Islands Canterbury Charitable Trust permission to sink the 3000-tonne vessel in 30m of water on the northern side of the cove.

The trust plans to sink the 113m frigate, probably in June or July next year. It will be towed from Devonport to Opua in the New Year to be prepared for scuttling.