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Borneo Bulletin Yearbook 2019

Oil Rig Wreck

Another popular diving spot, the Oil Rig Wreck

encompasses fragments of decommissioned oil rig

structures. These structures were sunk by BSP as

part of the Rigs to Reefs program in 1994. Greeting

the divers at the wreck are large schools of chevron

barracudas, jacks and other fish species, as well

as artificial reef at a maximum depth of 18 metres.

This diving site is another popular spot for macro

photography.

Penanjung Wreck

Situated further from most of the regular dive sites

is the Penanjung Wreck, also known as the Yewli

Wreck. It was a tugboat which now lies at a depth

of 24 metres and a high point of 17 metres. Though

it is not often explored by divers due to its slightly

distant location, it plays home to the elusive nurse

sharks and sea snakes, making the trip out worth it.

Petani Mistral

The Petani Mistral was previously a tug ship that

sank in 1995 after it caught one of the legs of the

Trident-12 rig. It now lies at a depth of 47 metres

between the coast of Jerudong and Kuala Belait.

This site is only open to technical divers.

YuhoMaru

Another site open to technical divers, the Yuho

Maru was a Japanese wartime tanker previously

mistaken as one of the Toho Marus that sank during

World War II. The tanker sank in 1944 following an

attack from a torpedo released from an American

submarine. The wreck lies 55 metres undersea.

Southern Glory

One of Brunei’s deepest diving sites at 63 metres,

the Southern Glory was built in New Zealand in

1951 and was formerly called the Karoon. Before it

sank in a storm, the Karoon exchanged ownerships

many times between Malaysian and Singaporean

businesses. Like the Yuho Maru and Petani Mistral,

only technical divers have access to this diving site.

Pelong Rocks

Situated five kilometres away from Muara Beach’s

shores are these tiny outcrop of rocks which are

also referred to as Pulau Pilong-Pilongan. The site

is popular for first-time divers and is often used for

training. However, due to its proximity to the shore,

underwater visibility can be impaired: currents and

surges in the shallowwater can prompt silt and sand

to rise into the waters. Marine life thrives at the site,

with anemones and various clownfish species often

spotted.

Abana Reef

Known for its great variety of untouched soft and

hard corals, the Abana Reef is a large and healthy

reef. The corals are home to a diverse array of

reef residents, including bannerfish, lionfish,

butterflyfish, clownfish, seahorses and pufferfish.

Divers also commonly encounter Gorgonians in

immense quantities as well as seahorses. At an

average depth of 11 metres and temperatures

around 28 degrees, it is a suitable site for beginners.