Unveiling the K XI: Deepsea divers uncover WWII submarine off Rottnest Island

A determined team of deepsea divers has made a groundbreaking discovery off the coast of Rottnest Island, stumbling upon the long-lost Dutch submarine K XI, which has eluded authorities for decades.

The K XI, found 27 kilometres west of Coogee Beach on New Year's Day, lies 40 metres below the water's surface, putting an end to a maritime mystery that had intrigued historians and enthusiasts alike.

"As it came out of the gloom, it looked like a long, thin patch of coral, which is unusual," one of the divers said.

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"Then all of a sudden, it was a big pipe, and then it was a submarine."

The discovery of the K XI has generated excitement within the diving community, as submarines are relatively rare finds in the "graveyard" of sunken vessels off Rottnest Island.

The team used advanced technology, including 3D modelling, to survey the site, capturing more than 6000 images and transforming them into a detailed three-dimensional representation of the wreck.

"It's only the skill we've built over the years that's enabled us to turn this from a discovery into a model in less than a fortnight," one of the divers said.

Built in 1925, the K XI played a significant role during World War II, patrolling the seas and even rescuing 13 survivors from an Australian vessel sunk by Japanese warships.

Decommissioned about two decades later, the submarine was scuttled in the Rottnest graveyard, but like many wrecks of that era, its coordinates were incorrectly documented.

While the K XI will not be displayed in a museum, it will be preserved in its current location and transformed into a unique snorkelling attraction for deep-sea divers, offering a glimpse into Australia's rich maritime history.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.