Dive the Midget M24 Japanese submarine off Sydney

Heritage of NSW has announced a trial open day to dive the wreck of the M24 Japanese midget submarine found 11 years back on the seabed in 55m of water off Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

There will be a limited number of spots for recreational divers with a permit to access the Protected Zone for a one-day period only.

Following the discovery of the M24 submarine, the NSW and Australian governments jointly protected the site under the NSW Heritage Act 1977 and the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976.

But for the first time a ballot system will be used for fair and transparent allocation of permits to access the M24 Protected Zone.

The M24 was one of three Japanese mini submarines involved in the
Attack on Sydney Harbour in May-June of 1942.

Designed for stealth, the subs could barely fit two crew and they needed to be short and skinny enough to climb up and down the tiny conning tower.

Of the three subs, the M24 was the only one to do any real damage. The sub torpedoed the 56m Kuttabul, a Royal Australian Navy depot ship converted from a Sydney Ferries Limited ferry, slicing the vessel in half and sending her to a watery grave with 19 Australian sailors and two Royal Navy men.

The M24's fate was unknown until 2006 – 64 years later – when a group of scuba divers discovered the wreck off Bungan Head on the Northern Beaches.

STRICT CONDITIONS FOR DIVING THE SUB
Permit conditions will include the following mandatory regulations:

>> Divers are not allowed to physically touch the site (in any way)
>> No entering confined spaces of the hull
>> No interference with any relics
>> No interference with (potential) unexploded ordnance (UXO) within the wreck.

The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) will request copies of all photographs and videos taken during the dive to contribute to the ongoing management of the site.

DIVE BALLOT DETAILS
By participating in the ballot process, individuals agree to take responsibility to comply with all terms and conditions outlined in the permit, including the organisation of suitable access to and from the dive site.

The ballot will be open for 60 days and will close at 11:59pm on August 28, 2017. Late submissions will not be accepted. The ballot will be drawn on September 13, 2017.

The Office of Environment and Heritage will notify the successful divers. In the case of inclement weather or other operational issues, an alternative dive date will be scheduled and successful divers notified.

To register for the M24 Diver Open Day ballot submit your application. There is also a long and detailed disclaimer and release from liability at
M24 Diver Open Day Ballot.