Australian Wreck (SS De Klerk / Imaji Maru)

The signature wreck of the area and a war grave. She began as the Dutch passenger-cargo steamer SS De Klerk, was scuttled and then salvaged by the Imperial Japanese Navy in November 1942, and re-entered service as Imaji Maru. Fleeing Borneo in September 1944 she struck a mine off Labuan and sank fast; secondary accounts put several hundred prisoners, forced labourers and comfort women aboard, commonly cited as 339 dead. She was long assumed to have been sunk by Australian aircraft, which is where the dive-site name came from, and the name has stuck even though the identification is wrong. About 25 minutes by boat from Serasa. Penetration is done here but it is a silty overhead environment and needs wreck training.

Depth

21–33m

Current

Mild

Diver level

Advanced open water

Entry

Boat

Unique features

  • Dutch steamer SS De Klerk, salvaged by the Japanese as Imaji Maru and mined in September 1944 — the "Australian" name is a misidentification
  • Hull of roughly 85-94m lying tilted onto its port side on sand at about 33m, largely intact
  • The more forgiving of the local hulls for trained penetration: steam engine, winches, holds and cargo still in place

Sources & last checked

Checked August 2026

This is a researched draft, not yet human-verified. The seasonality and logistics are drawn from the sources below — confirm specifics (permits, fees, closures) with an operator before you book.

Note on the data: Coordinates are approximate; not surveyed dive-site GPS.