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Hotels, dive operators, gear, and how to get here are on the Chuuk Lagoon location page.
Overview
A 134 m Japanese passenger cargo ship sunk on the second day of Operation Hailstone in February 1944 by SBD Dauntless bombers from USS Yorktown and USS Bunker Hill. She rests on her port side a mile north north west of Fefan Island, the hull stretching from 12 m at the starboard rail to 34 m on the sand. Hold five still cradles stacks of 18 inch armour piercing shells cast for the battleship Musashi, their copper driving bands green with patina. The engine room and bridge are open for trained penetration divers, the props and rudder buried under three quarters of a century of black coral and crinoids. Human remains and live ordnance are still inside the hull.
Briefing note
Wreck certification required for any interior penetration. Live 18 inch armour piercing shells are stacked in hold five and other ordnance is scattered throughout the holds; touch nothing. The wreck is a war grave for Japanese crew members lost in February 1944. Silt outs come fast when finning over the lower port side hull, so trim and buoyancy control matter.
What you'll see
4 species curated- year-roundGlassfish
- year-roundLionfish
- year-roundBatfish
- year-roundWhitetip reef shark
Conditions
| Month | Water | Visibility | Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28–30 °C | 15–25 m | mild |
| Feb | 28–30 °C | 15–25 m | mild |
| Mar | 28–30 °C | 15–25 m | mild |
| Apr | 28–30 °C | 15–25 m | mild |
| May | 28–30 °C | 10–20 m | mild |
| Jun | 28–30 °C | 10–20 m | mild |
| Jul | 28–30 °C | 10–20 m | mild |
| Aug | 28–30 °C | 10–20 m | mild |
| Sep | 28–30 °C | 10–20 m | mild |
| Oct | 28–30 °C | 10–20 m | mild |
| Nov | 28–30 °C | 15–25 m | mild |
| Dec | 28–30 °C | 15–25 m | mild |
Season calendar
Peak season highlighted · current month outlined
Gear for this site
Beyond the basic kit- Dive light — Primary plus backup torches for hold five and engine room penetration; ambient light fades fast on the port side resting wreck.
- Computer — Multi level deep wreck near the 30 m bracket; nitrox extends bottom time on the holds.
Next step
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