Location(s)

One of Bonaire’s more famous ship wrecks is the Hilma Hooker, a ship whose name may have led to her demise. The Hooker was having some mechanical failure off the coast of Bonaire. So she was brought to the main pier where she sat for repairs. She was an old ship and her hull had a lot of small leaks. It was during this time that suspicion grew about the sort of cargo she was carrying. So the authorities demanded to see the cargo and sure enough, the Hilma Hooker was going to be known as a drug runner. They found almost a ton of Marijuana in a false bulkhead. The authorities removed the drugs and began the process of an investigation.

It was about this time that some of the dive operators caught wind of what was going on down at the pier and the name of the ship whose future was uncertain. There were plenty of meetings to talk about taking the ship and sinking it for a potential dive site off the coast of Bonaire. However, because the ship was still under investigation the Attorney General’s Office for the Netherlands Antilles would not allow the ship to be sunk. So there she sat at the pier, until the matter could be resolved.

A ship sitting at a pier is a large expense. There was also the threat of her sinking at the pier because the small leaks in her hull were taking on water. Given the ships current predicament the owner was not about to step forward and answer questions, let alone pay costs associated with having her tied up at the pier and the potential cost of having to salvage her if she happened to sink. Some people from the government got together with the tourism folks and had some meetings with the dive operators to determine a safe place to tow and anchor the Hilma Hooker. They needed a safe place in case the Hilma Hooker should sink. Some place away from the reefs but not blocking the shipping lanes.

So on September 7, 1984 the Hooker was towed to a spot safe enough to anchor. She would sit there until the government would settle its case against her and the owner. However, after being anchored there for a couple of days she began to list and by September 12, 1984 she sank to the bottom of the ocean and settled in 95 feet of water, between two reefs and deep enough to keep the shipping lanes open.

This is a true ship wreck. Today, lots of ships get mothballed, meaning they get cleaned out, the doors get removed, the paint and chemicals are taken out, and the engines gutted all in an effort to create an artifical reef and a safe place to scuba dive. Not the Hilma Hooker. Because of the investigation her cargo could not be touched, so she sank with everything intact. From the cots to the Steel doors, this makes the site a challenging wreck dive and penetration in the Hilma Hooker wreck should be done by those who know what they are doing.

Mike’s Scuba will be in Bonaire June 9, 2007 – June 16, 2007. We will be staying at the Wannadive Hut. The rooms feature A/C, cable Tv, fridge, wireless internet, and private bathroom. The hotel has a lockable gear room, rinse tub, small restaurant for breakfast, and small bar open 5-9pm. There will be unlimited shore diving and tanks are available 24/7, and a rental truck is included. The price also includes a $25.00 dive tag. Most shore dives require four wheel drive. The price of the trip is $850.00. If you are interested in going on this trip please contact us today by calling 814-695-4666.