The Japanese Government has given its approval for divers to hang over, but not touch, the wreck of M-24, one of three two-man subs which entered Sydney Harbour at the end of May, 1942.
The subs were spotted and attacked. Two, M-14 and M-21, were ditched, their crews committing suicide.
The third sub, M-24, was able to fire two torpedos. The intended target was the USS Chicago, moored off Garden Island, but it was the Australian HMAS Kuttabul which was sunk, with the loss of 19 Australian and two British sailors.
M-24 escaped back out to sea but failed to return to its mother vessel. Nothing was known of its fate until 2006, when its wreckage was found by a group of seven sport divers in 55m of water, five kilometres off Bungan Head, near Newport.
The sub sat nearly upright and remained largely intact, with no obvious clue as to why it would have sunk, unable to regain the surface. Theories have included running out of air or succumbing to fumes.
Several bullet holes were observed, damage most probably caused by machinegun fire from the USS Chicago. It was not possible to tell whether the damage would have been enough to cause a fatal degree of leakage.
The sub was filled with sand and indications were that the remains of its crew would be inside.
Following the discovery, the Japanese Government requested an access restriction to its sovereign vessel. The Australian Government complied by designating the wreck as a protected heritage site.
However, on the 70th anniversary of the wartime action, it has been decided that it would be appropriate to commemorate the event by sanctioning duly respectful visits to the wreck.
A number of organised dives, led by official diving guides, are to be carried out during the rest of this year. Divers have been invited to enter a ballot for places on the outings.
If they prove a success, the visits are likely to continue beyond 2012.
An exclusion zone remains around the site and applies at all other times. The site is monitored by cameras mounted ashore and on buoys, and by sonar detectors.
Entering the forbidden zone without permission can lead to a fine of up to Aus$1.1 million, under New South Wales law.
Upon announcement of the plans for controlled dives over the sub, Australia’s Heritage Minister, Robyn Parker, unveiled a commemorative plaque two days ago at Bungan Head.
The Japanese Consul-General, Masahiro Kohara, told Australian press: "I am very fortunate to live in today's world, when [Australia and Japan] share such a friendly and peaceful relationship.
"This commemoration…makes us re-examine the importance of personal integrity, friendship, mutual trust and peace."
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