Yung Pen is the wreck of a Taiwanese fishing boat that sunk in December 1982. Only the stern end of the Yung Pen is here, the bow ended up further on shore and was cut up for scrap. The wreck sits in about 5 metres of water in a sheltered lagoon type area on the western side of Owhiro Bay. The wreck is made up of one large section with a few bits and pieces scattered around. The bottom around the wreck is made up of many small boulders.

Aquatic Life:

Marblefish have made this wreck their home, each protecting its own patch. Other fish species include blue moki, red moki, banded wrasse, scarlet wrasse spotties and triplefins (common, variable, blue-eyed and oblique-swimming). Many large paua cover available surfaces on the northern side of the wreck.

Warnings:

Quite a shallow site so you might want a little more weight than usual. Some boats do still use this ramp though most use the better ramp on the other side of the bay.

This site is a marine reserve. All life and natural features are totally protected. It is illegal to take, disturb, kill or damage anything within the reserve and anyone who commits an offence may be subject to a fine of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment. It is also an offence to pollute or litter the reserve, discharge any firearm in or into the reserve or erect any structure in the reserve.

Directions:

From Wellington city centre head through Newtown along Adelaide Rd, continue through Berhampore and Island Bay until you hit the coast. Turn right along The Esplanade which turns into Owhiro Bay Parade for about 2km. There is room to park on the seaward side of the road opposite house number 144.
Local dive shops are located on the corner of the Parade and Reef St just before you hit the coast (Island Bay Divers), and at 432 The Esplanade (Splash Gordon).
The site has an easy access in the form of a rarely used boat ramp and is approximately 50 metres from shore. Head southwest and the Yung Pen wreck is in about 5 metres of water on the western side at the beginning of the channel out to open water. Site is marked by a red x on the site photo on this page. There are also another two wrecks if you continue out the channel and head east.