SAS Haerlem Wreck

The SAS Haerlem is a popular old navy frigate wreck site re-purposed as an artificial reef perfect for divers. The Haerlem was built in 1958 and disarmed in 1963. The ship was scuttled in Algoa Bay on 30 November 1987, close to the Bell Buoy.

She settled 21 meters below the surface, with her bow to the south and has created holes, nooks and crannies for the curious diver keen to encounter some shy sharks, a variety of fish and soft coral.

The deck has broken in two. Big cob can be seen inside the hull. On top of the deck the depth is about 18m average and 21m at the stern. Due to the protection of the bay, it makes for a very safe wreck dive.

The SAS Haerlem, completed on the 28th November 1958, commissioned on the 2nd of June 1959, served first as anti-submarine and then survey ship, was decommissioned and disarmed in 1963. On the 30th of November 1987 she was scuttled by the SA Navy with the purpose of creating an artificial reef. A wreck for all divers to enjoy, to explore and to discover. She delivered! Since she came to rest on the white sands of Algoa Bay she has entertained thousands of recreational divers both local and international. She has become a haven to sharks, rays, octopus, nudibranchs, and large schools of fish. She has dressed herself in all the colours of the sea. She has bejewelled herself with anemones, sea squirts, soft corals, sponges and bryozoans.

The Haerlem is one of many dive sites in Port Elizabeth which include: Avalanche, Bell Buoy, Chelsea North, Cracker, Crossroads, Devil’s Reef, The Doddington, Evan’s Peak, The “SS Fidela” wreck, Gasmic Gorge, The “Haerlem” wreck, The Inchcape Rock, “MV Kapodistrias” wreck, Mark 4 Safepoint/Mark 4 Wall, Mark 4 Tables, Moonie, “MV Pati” wreck, Phillips Reef, Pinnacles, Riy Banks, Roman Rock, Slipway, Suicide Reef and Thunderbolt Reef.

A diving trip from Port Elisabeth, South Africa, allows you to dive on the wreck of a navy frigate, Le Haerlem. This ship specialized in the fight against submarines. The ship was scuttled in Algoa Bay, near Bell Buoy after having 12 holes drilled on each side of the hull so that it filled with water in a symmetrical way and sank straight on the bottom, at 21m. Sharks are now roaming around and in the middle of the remnants, you can see nudibranchs among the soft corals.

Here you can see the Leopard Sharks, Cat Sharks and Pajama Sharks swimming gracefully in their artificial home.

Cape Salmon and Batfish can also be spotted here along with a variety of other sea life such as Heart Urchins and the very popular Crowned and Black Nudibranchs.

A torch will come in handy when spying through the ships old portholes in search of the magnificent marine life that lies within.

More Wreck Info here.

CLICK on the name of the ship to read more about the wreck.

Shipwrecks in Algoa Bay