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Pirate Divers Plundering Australian Wrecks - Diving News

ROGUE divers are raiding heritage-listed wrecks in Darwin Harbour, regular visitors to the sites said yesterday.

Local divers said artefacts had been stolen from the RAAF C-47 plane wreck in Fannie Bay.

Regular diver Peter Darlington dived the wreck recently and said items including a radio, flight gauges and a fire extinguisher had been taken.

An engine and a propeller had also been dislodged.

"Many of the artefacts have been removed and there are signs of extensive damage to the airframe itself,'' he said.

There are fears that other wrecks in the harbour may have been looted.

Some of the damage to the C-47 appeared to have been done by a large anchor, though anchoring at the site is not allowed. The raids are recent, probably within the past two months.

An NT government monitoring dive revealed more than 10 artefacts had been stolen and the plane's tail penetrated. It is understood heritage officers are hunting for the offenders.

People who damage heritage sites can be hit with hefty penalties under the Heritage Conservation Act.

Site wreckers can be liable for fines up to $10,000 or 12 months in jail -- plus forfeiting the boat or vehicle used to get there.

Several harbour wrecks are popular with divers and with fishermen as fish take shelter around the wreckage.

Dive operators use a buoy near the C-47 wreck for mooring, so it is believed the damage was caused by amateurs or fishermen.

"Such destruction has to stop,'' Mr Darlington said.

"Please, to all the fishos out there -- do not drop anchors on to these sites.''

There were also signs of damage to another recently-discovered harbour wreck.