Another historical shipping hazard in
the Seal Rocks complex, Little Seal Rock claimed the SS Catterthun on
8 August 1895 when she hit the rock at full speed and sunk within 15
minutes. Initial salvage operations confirmed fresh scoring on
the rock surface, indicative of a collision by the steal hulled SS
Catterthun.
Little Seal Rock rises to a peak just
above the surface and is best done as a circumnavigation at between
16 to 25 metres depth. The circumnavigation distance increases
as depth increases towards the sand. If you have only made it
partway around the rock and have used nearly half your air supply ,
ascend to a shallower depth to reduce both travel distance and air
consumption rate, and continue to follow the rock around to the
anchor line.
The rock surface is mostly bare with
only sporadic growth, however structural features such as gutters,
overhangs, caves and bommies attract grey nurse sharks, wobbygong
sharks, port jackson sharks, bull rays, eagle rays, black cod,
cuttlefish and schooling pelagics. Little Seal Rock is offshore and
exposed to the prevailing swell and the East Australian Current
running north to south. All divers should carry a surface
marker buoy to signal the boat in case of ascent away from the anchor
line in the strong current.
Visibility is generally good, often
crystal clear out to 30 metres.
Water temperature ranges from
18 to 24 degrees.
