The Emily S is a 30-metre steel fishing trawler intentionally sunk in 1991 by the Portland Dive Club off Lawrence Rocks, just outside Portland Harbour in western Victoria. Resting upright on its keel on the sheltered side of the rocks between two low reefs at a depth of 24 metres, this intact wreck is a superb artificial reef. Its protected position makes it an excellent boat dive for novice divers while still rewarding more experienced explorers with swim-throughs, kelp forests, and the chance to see seals, wobbegongs, and abundant reef fish. The site is part of Portland's rich maritime history and is accessible only by boat, typically launching from Portland's harbour.
Emily S
IntermediateSKIP
SKIP
Poor conditions. Stay out today.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 1.4 mSwell Period 11 sWind Speed 10 knPrecipitation 17 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Depth — 24 metres
At 24 m depth this is a decompression-limit dive for recreational divers; requires careful air management and surface interval planning.
Moderate risk: Boat traffic
The site is near Portland Harbour shipping lanes; dive boats must display appropriate flags and watch for ship movements.
Low risk: Cray pot lines
Cray pots are frequently set around Lawrence Rocks; entangling lines pose a snagging hazard for divers.
Low risk: Cold water temperatures
Southern Ocean waters are cold year-round (10–16°C); adequate thermal protection (7 mm wetsuit or drysuit) is essential.
Low risk: Variable visibility
Visibility can vary greatly due to swell, plankton blooms, and upwelling; best conditions are typically in late summer and autumn.
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
The Emily S lies about 350 m off Lawrence Rocks, north-west of Portland Harbour, VIC. Access is by private or charter boat only — there are no local dive-specific charters, but local fishing charters in Portland can be used. Launch from Portland Harbour ramps. The GPS coordinates are approximately 38°24.8'S, 141°36.3'E.
Parking & facilities
Parking is available at the Portland Harbour boat ramps (free).
parkingboat_ramp
No entry fee; no fees for the wreck site itself. Boat launching from Portland Harbour is free.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports