Investigations into wreck robbery | Coffs Coast News | Local News in Coffs Coast

The headstone where two victims of the shipwreck are buried at Emerald Beach.

Trevor Veale

AUTHORITIES are investigating the ransacking of a safe on board the SS Keilawarra shipwreck – revealed exclusively in Saturday’s Advocate – waiting on fresh photographs to uncover more evidence.

The NSW Department of Planning’s Maritime Heritage Branch is heading enquiries into the theft from the 123-year-old wreck, off North Solitary Island.

Expert divers have used underwater oxy-tools to cut open the safe, sometime over the past three years.

“The investigation into the damage to the Keilawarra, really sets a precedent here in NSW,” State Maritime archaeologist Tim Smith said.

“Someone has broken Commonwealth law by tampering with this significant wreck and we can only do our best to find out who.”

If substantial leads develop, evidence would be handed over to the Australian Federal Police.

Coffs Harbour underwater photographer Mark Spencer, who made the discovery, plans to revisit the dive site when conditions allow.

His photos will be assessed by leading corrosion scientist Dr Ian McLeod, of the Western Australian Maritime Museum.

“We are not sure about the level of disturbance to the wreck,” he said.