Sunken frigate further broken up

The old frigate sunk last November off Island Bay in Wellington is now in three pieces.

The former HMNZS Wellington was sunk as a dive attraction but 10 days ago it was ripped in half by a huge storm which swept into Island Bay.

The bow section was left lying on its side but the 2000-tonne stern section was swept towards the shore and was lying at right angles to the bow.

The stern section has now split in two.

Divers were banned from the ship until it was assessed.

Now the trust which sank the ship the ship after buying it for $1 from the Government, said the hulk is in three pieces and not two and is a "three-dive experience".

Sink F69 Trust chairman, Marco Zeeman said in a statement the bow was still pointing south and was held in place by the eight-tonne anchor attached when it was sunk.

He said 12m swells caused the ship to pivot on its embedded propeller shaft and rotate and the larger stern section was facing northwest.

Police divers have been assessing the ship and it was expected to re-open to divers later this week, he said.

The sinking attracted criticism from many people, including Island Bay residents who predicted it would break up and possibly become a threat to the area or a boating hazard.

The dive ban extends for 200 metres around the wreck site.

- NZPA