Monthly Archives: May 2010

Truk. Dive 8 – San Francisco Maru

I asked Rob for a good wreck for my 600th dive and he certainly delivered. The San Francisco Maru was built in 1919 as a medium freighter. She had been in semi-retirement when the war started, but was used by … Continue reading

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Mystery of the argonaut octopus

Octopi come in also sorts of shapes and sizes, but the argonaut octopus must be one of the strangest. The females secrete a thin, white shell, which is called a paper nautilus, and it does make them look like a … Continue reading

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Truk. Dive 7 – Futagami Fleet Tug

The Futagami was a large salvage tug, and was launched in 1939. She carried salvage derricks, as well as pumps and hoses. She was involved in the unsuccessful attempts to raise the I-169 submarine, which we had dived earlier in … Continue reading

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Truk. Dive 6 – Kikukawa Maru

On my two previous visits I had not dived this wreck. Opinions on it seem to be polarised. Beforehand I was told that it was so badly damaged that it was practically empty and just a shell, which was largely … Continue reading

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Why Threshers have Large Tails

Researchers have captured video footage of thresher sharks using their tails to swat smaller fish. This seems to be part of their hunting strategy. It might also explain why thresher sharks are often caught by their tails on long-lines. Thresher … Continue reading

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Truk. Dive 5 – Heian Maru

The Heian Maru is the largest wreck still in Truk Lagoon. She was built in 1930 as a passenger / cargo liner, but was converted in to a submarine tender. She was sunk on the 2nd day of Operation Hailstone … Continue reading

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Truk. Dive 4 – The I-169 Submarine

Day 2 had a submarine theme, with a dive on the I-169 sub, followed by the Heian Maru Submarine tender and the Futagami tug that attempted to raise the I-169. The I-169 was built for the Japanese navy, and was … Continue reading

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Underwater Photography Winners

The Guardian has a series of winning shots from the British Society for Underwater Photographers 2010 competition. The winner in the British and Irish category is the Black-faced blenny shown above. It was taken under Swanage pier in Dorset by … Continue reading

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Truk. Dive 3 – Sutsuki Patrol Boat

The Sutsuki was originally a Momi Class destroyer and was built in the early 1920′s. They were fast, so despite their age, the Japanese decided that these destroyers would be useful for reinforcing Guadalcanal. At this time the Sutsuki was … Continue reading

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Chuuk 2010. The Thorfinn

On board Thorfinn we met Cindy, one half of the husband and wife team who organise the diving and everything else. She’s a Brit and her husband Rob is an American. They are both experienced divers, and while Cindy likes … Continue reading

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Chuuk, 2010. The Journey

On 1st April, after well over a year of planning, we set off for some wreck diving in Truk Lagoon. I can’t take any of the credit for this year’s worth of planning, as it was Trevor who did all … Continue reading

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Recall Notices

Here’s a couple of recall notices. Thanks to Nick for pointing them out. First, OMS BCs sold between May 2006 and Aug 2008. There is a risk of the seal ring cracking. Secondly, Mares Nemo Air Dive Computers sold between … Continue reading

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