In Reply to: Diving in New Zealand? posted by Dive Mac on October 17, 2005 at 11:49:38:

try the dive operator in Blenheim for the best deal

Named after a Russian poet, who was killed in a duel in his mid 20’s, the MIKHAIL Lermontov sunk under mysterious circumstances on February the 16th 1986. She was carrying over 400 mainly Australian passengers on a cruise of a lifetime, when for reasons still unknown, the ship was piloted through a shallow channel at the tip of Cape Jackson, New Zealand. The ship struck the reef on her port side which opened up a large gash. Mortally damaged the Lermontov limped into Port Gore in the Marlborough Sounds,where she subsequently sunk, with the loss of only one life, some hours later in 30 odd metres of water. There is speculation that the Mikhail Lermontov was used as a spy vessel and the official government report into her sinking will never be made public.

The Lermontov now lies on her Starboard side and is fully intact. Diving on the Lermontov is a fantastic experience, with the propellers, damage, funnel, bridge and pool area all easily assessable. Penetration dives are not recommended unless with an experienced guide