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6 Km West Of Colombo

SL/W/COLO/M/19

Black Coral wreck

District
Colombo
Depth
35.00–40.00 m
Vessel type
Steam Ship, Bulk Carrier

Overview

An unidentified wreck lying on seabed at 40m depth. This wreck is rather unique because of its prolific growth of Black Coral on deck, unlike that of any other wreck in Colombo. The hull is reasonably intact, but in several areas, the wreck has deteriorated.

A very large single boiler can be found amidships and at the stern, a single screw propeller and the rudder. On deck remnants of the bridge including the wheelhouse can be found. There is also an exposed commode similar to that of the Toilet Barge. 

This is one of the four 'Coral Wrecks' of Colombo along with the Lotus Barge, Toilet Barge situated nearby and the Wallet Wreck situated further west. The water visibility is generally very good here and the wreck is inhabited by reef dwelling marine life, but not in profusion in comparison to the Lotus Barge and the Toilet Barge. 

The stern 20 Feb 2016 © Dharshana Jayawardena / Ghosts of the Deep - Diving the Shipwrecks of SL
Boiler 20 Feb 2016 © Dharshana Jayawardena / Ghosts of the Deep - Diving the Shipwrecks of SL
From midships looking forward 20 Feb 2016 © Dharshana Jayawardena / Ghosts of the Deep - Diving the Shipwrecks of SL
Video 6 Mar 2017 © Rasika Muthucumarana

Location

District: Colombo

Province: Western

Depth profile

35–40 m

Protection & status

Access
None
Legal status
None
Archaeological value
Medium

Record provenance

Recorded
2016-02-20
Last updated
2021-05-24
Biodiversity survey
Incomplete

Data: National Shipwreck Database / CCF–MAU