The Loch Finlas was an iron ship of 2170 tons, built in 1885 at Southampton as the Bactria and measuring 279 x 40.2 x 24.3 ft. She was wrecked on 26 September 1905 on Fosters Island Reef. The Marine Life Network guide rates her 9 out of 10 - the highest-rated wreck in north-east Tasmania - describing a relatively intact wreck with spectacular features: the bow canted over and a photogenic counter stern, in 19-24 m.

Sponges and weed gardens cover the hull, and yellowtail kingfish, rainbowfish and long-snouted boarfish are recorded. The guide warns that it is a slack-water-only dive in a dangerous current, hard to find without a sounder, and not for beginners. Treat the depths, positions and conditions given here as a starting point, and confirm them with local divers and a depth sounder before committing to a dive.

The far north-east corner of Tasmania, from Eddystone Point to Cape Portland and Swan Island, is one of the most remote stretches of the state's coast. Roads north of St Helens and around Gladstone are partly gravel, the nearest shops are at Gladstone, Derby or Bridport, and there are no dive services at all. The Marine Life Network guide, written from the experience of Launceston divers, is still the only detailed published account of most of these sites.

Where Bass Strait meets the Tasman Sea around Cape Portland and the Swan Island group, tidal streams run hard, and the guide repeatedly stresses slack water, safety lines and experienced boat handlers for the wreck sites. The Royal Hobart Hospital chamber is five hours or more away by road, so any diving here should be conservative and planned with an evacuation route in mind.

Launch at the Little Musselroe River or Musselroe Bay and run to Fosters Island Reef, about 25-30 minutes. The Marine Life Network guide warns the wreck is difficult to locate without a depth sounder. There are no marinas or fuel on this coast apart from the towns named, so carry spare fuel, a VHF radio and an EPIRB, leave a trip plan ashore, and check MAST boating advice; many north-coast ramps are shallow at low tide, and a 4WD tow vehicle is a real advantage.

The Cape Portland and Swan Island area lies where Bass Strait meets the Tasman Sea: strong tidal streams run through the passages and between the islands, and wind against tide creates steep, dangerous seas. Diving is only practical at slack water in light winds; westerly swell and strong easterlies both make the area unworkable. Slack water only - dangerous current.

Use the Bureau of Meteorology coastal forecast for the North East Coast and Banks Strait, and check tide times for the nearest standard port before planning the run.

Locate the wreck on a sounder and shot it. Descend at slack, view the canted bow and the counter stern, and ascend the shot before the tide turns. Turn the dive at half gas (thirds where current or overhead sections are involved), deploy an SMB before surfacing for the live-boat pick-up, and complete a 3-minute safety stop at about 5 m where depth allows.

Use a shot line and plan the dive for slack; nitrox helps at 24 m.

No commercial operator. Dived occasionally by Launceston clubs and Tasmanian Divers (Launceston) groups, and by private boats and cray divers. Remote - full self-sufficiency required.