The final dive of the trip was right back where we started, Deep Water Cove and the HMNZS Canterbury. We finished our surface interval and had lunch in front of Deep Water Cove Track.

Deep Water Cove Track

This time the plan was to explore the bow of the wreck.

HMNZS Canterbury Bow

Once again we were moored mid-ship and descended to explore the stern. The visibility was good and the bridge sits well above the deck (you can see it just above the gun turret above) so there was a nice bluish hue in it.

Bridge

Then we explored the deck on the way to the bow. The gun turret had been removed and only a hole in the deck was left. We dove into it and explored the large area beneath the gun turret before continuing down the deck.

Area Beneath Gun Turret

 

Deck Vents

Railing

Scorpionfish

Bow

After reaching the bow we turned around and headed back but not before I took this photo op.

Everett on the Canterbury

Deck

We got back to the tower and began our ascent but not before the Cantebury had one last surprise for us. As we were starting the ascent my buddy pointed something out at the base of the tower. A porcupine fish had taken up residence in the tower.

Porcupine fish

The primary reason there's so much aquatic life on the Canterbury is because Deep Water Cove is under rāhui. A rāhui is a form of tapu restricting access to, or use of, an area or resource. In this case it means noone can take anything from the cove, including any fish so they're free to thrive. I hope the rāhui becomes permanent or they even make a marine reserve out of it.

Location: Northland, New Zealand

Dive Number:   157 Bottom Time: 37m Time In: 2:03 p.m. Tank In: Max Depth: 29.10 ft Table Used:

Mix:   Nitrox Safety Stop: 5m Time Out: 2:40 p.m. Tank Out: Average Depth: 17.90 ft Start Pressure Group:

Surface Interval:   2h 25m End Pressure Group:

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