Diving in Truk, Part Two

June 28, 2016, 8:42 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized

Dive #6 Fumitzuki (Destroyer), 91ft, 38min dive

One of the few destroyers in the lagoon. This vessel was present during the attack on Pearl Harbour. At 320′ it’s a good size. The bow is completely broken off and sitting in the sand. Lots of life boat davets to be seen on this wreck.

Dive #7 Shinkoku Maru, 90ft, 40min dive

This is a 500′, massive wreck. Highlights of this dive are an impressive bow gun, and inside the superstructure is the operating room. In this room remains operating equipment, an operating table and human remains, which have been placed on the table. The superstructure of this wreck has deteroiated a lot since my last time in Truk. Piles of steel have started to break off of the ship and lay in piles in the sand. Three great telegraphs remain on the roof of the superstructure. This dive we saw our first shark, a white tip reef shark. Telephone can be seen on this wreck also.

Dive #8 Shinkoku Maru, 121ft, 44min dive

Same wreck as last time, except this time we saw a baby spotted eagle ray. It was so cute! On many of the wrecks, items are brought up to the more shallow parts of the ships so that those who don’t wish to go inside the more dangerous parts of the ship can still see artifacts, they are commonly refered to as “displays”. On this wreck, the display contains a pretty cool first aid kit box.

Dive #9 Shinkoku Maru, 124ft, 48min dive

Amazing tour of the engine room with Ken. Massive room about five stories high. Saw human remains inside this wreck also.

Dive #10 Heian Maru, 89ft, 48min dive

Previously a luxury liner that was converted to support the war. 510′ long. Nice dive through the inside of the ship. Saw the old bathroom, periscopes and a good view of the name on the side of the vessel and an old telephone on the deck. Piles of china around the wreck.

Dive #11 Heian Maru, 91ft, 52min dive

Engine room tour with Ken again. Old light bulbs still intact, gauges to check out and a skull inside the wreck. Inside the wreck for 20 minutes of the dive.

Dive #12 Rio de Janeiro, 112ft, 55min

This ship was also previously a passenger liner. Beautiful props, stern gun and a cool hold filled with sake bottles. The hull has collapsed on this wreck

Dive #13 Rio de Janeiro, 84ft, 40min

Crazy tour of the engine room Went in the water at 530pm and it was dark by the time we were on the wreck. Multilevels to explore, gauges, clocks, about 25min inside the dark engine room When we emerged, it was night and really dark. Super cool dive overall.

Stubs.