There are over 60 ship and 'plane wrecks in Truk, 43 of which are shown on the map. We dived the red and yellow marks, the latter of which are described below.

The wind blows persistently from the north-east reducing visibility on the down-wind side of Dublon to 10 metres or less close to the shore. The best visibility is to be found east of Dublon and Uman where the wrecks typically sit in 50 - 60 metres.

We dived 22 different wrecks on 31 dives over eight days. Our favourite almost certainly was the Fujikawa Maru (8).

Apart from the wrecks, there is abundant hard coral on the shallower structures, and sharks, rays and other pelagics, although not in abundance. Dale managed to snap this dozing eagle ray on the Hoki Maru (11).

 

 

Ordnance and Engines

 

The way out. Keep your eye on it!

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"Finished with engines" says it all

Engine penetrations are all part and parcel of the experience. A good guide, a good torch and a sense of self-preservation are required. Remember that the guide may know the way out, but you don't.   Sankisan Maru (right).

 

Bottles and bullets cover the holds. Less usual are the periscope standards from the Heian Maru (4 - below). The 18" battleship shells in the holds of the Yamagiri Maru (3) were the biggest ever made.

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The Fujikawa Maru (8)  is one of the best dives in the Lagoon. The visibility is typically greater than 30 metres. Mote the slight erosion of the wreck caused by repeated anchoring on the king posts.

 

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The Gosei Maru (12) lies on her port side. Note the diver under the counter and by the propeller for scale. The shallow water by the stern allows for some very scenic pictures. The warping of the hull from the shattering torpedo explosion that sank her is impressive and seen on many Truk wrecks.

 

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The views of the port propeller of the Rio de Janeiro Maru (13), taken in 1994 (left) and in 2005 (right) reveal only small differences. The hard corals which dominate the wrecks, grow slowly. 

 

This is a magnificent, large passenger / cargo vessel lying on its starboard side. The propeller (below right) is that of the Fumizuki (1), a high-speed destroyer. Note how the high-pitch blades are quite different from those of the Rio.

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Nippo Maru (9)

 

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Ian videos the tank on the deck of the Nippo Maru at 50 metres

Kansho Maru (5)

 

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One of our favourites. Upright and with an impressive engine room, the funnel rises to 12 metres.

San Francisco Maru (10)

 

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The tank on the San Francisco Maru was snapped in natural light at a depth of 48 metres. It's one of the classic Truk shots.

 

 

The "Sgt-Mjr William J. Pugh" (2)

 

This improbably named support vessel was scuttled in the 1970's after a most intriguing voyage. There's no gold left on board!! 

The 'Emily' Flying Boat (7)

 

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After an epic fight between US fighters and a large flying-boat, the pilot crashed landed in the Lagoon, and was decorated for his skill and bravery.

Hoyo Maru (6)

 

One of the few inverted wrecks, this tanker lies in shallow water with its back broken. The reef in the background is the other part of the hull.