Tech Asia has organized a week of spectacular diving for 2022 aboard the liveaboard Odyssey in Truk (Chuuk) Lagoon, Micronesia. This former Japanese WWII supply base was the scene of the American carrier strike, Operation Hailstone, which in February 1944 sank over forty vessels and destroyed countless aircraft in a thirty six hour period. Untouched for decades, and always protected by local laws, this now makes up by far the largest, and most pristine concentration of shipwrecks anywhere in the world.
The dive sites and depth ranges lend themselves equally well to either recreational or technical dives, both of which Odyssey will fully support during our trip.
The wrecks range from Japanese destroyers and aircraft, to a Fleet submarine, to a number of very large tankers and supply ships. Most of these were still loaded with fascinating cargoes of war time supplies when sunk. Most famous are such as the Fujikawa Maru, or Shinkoku Maru, both upright with easy access to large engine rooms, cargo holds bearing Zero fighter aircraft, and identifiable rooms like the Shinkoku sick bay where medicine bottles and operating tables are still seen. Dusk dives on Shinkoku have in the past been as alive with life as the most intense of dives in Puerto Galera’s Canyons. But there are so many other ‘must see’ wrecks, the huge Heian Maru, Yamagiri Maru, Nippo Maru and Rio de Janeiro Maru among them, still carrying cargoes as diverse as Long Lance torpedoes, 14” shells destined for Japanese battleships, deck cargoes of Japanese tanks, coastal defense guns and…hundreds of beer and saki bottles.
Most of our dives are in the 25-35m depth range. The trip will cater to both advanced recreational divers, and technical divers alike. Tanks will be available for those diving singles, doubles, sidemount, or rebreather. If diving tech, expect to be able to make several long dives day with very little decompression. Whilst not the focus of the week, we also usually get to make a visit to one or two of the well known deeper wrecks such as the San Francisco Maru for those interested.
Trip Schedule and Itinerary
The charter runs from October 1st to 8th 2022, with seven nights aboard the boat. Coming from Asia, travel is usually via Manila, with a Friday night flight to Guam and onwards the next day, Saturday, to Truk to board the boat.. Up to four dives a day, including night dives, are available Sunday to Friday, then an evening return to port.
Divers disembark Saturday morning and generally fly that evening to Guam to make their onward connections. Alternatively we can provide an option to stay a couple of extra days and organize some deep diving land based.
Diving Conditions
The lagoon is sheltered and not prone to current. Water temperature is extremely comfortable, 28c/82°F or above, and with very good visibility. The anchorages where most ships sank range from bottom depths as shallow as 15m, to a little over 60m. We focus the trips on the wrecks down to around 40m, with much of the diving in the 25-30m range, as partcularly if you are diving tech, and haven't been here before, there's no better way to get the absolute most out of the week. Think about long penentration dives on very large medium depth wrecks...
Parts of these ships are also relatively open which makes for fantastic diving in the recreational realm too.
Diving from the Odyssey
The Odyssey crew will conduct a briefing at each wreck site. Divers then have the option to dive with their guides - a good choice if there is something particular you want to be shown or to photograph, or to buddy up and plan their own dives. Since Odyssey is moored at the wreck we can be flexible about dive times and avoid having everyone in the water all at the same time. Simply dive when you are ready. The Odyssey can also use a speedboat to ferry small groups to a different wreck at the same time if it's needed and practical.
Nitrox 30 is provided free as a standard gas as it covers all the wrecks that we normally visit safely. This is of course adjusted if a deep dive is to be made.
The 132ft/40m vessel Odyssey, which has been recently refitted, comfortably accommodates 16 guests in nine luxury staterooms, all air conditioned and with private en suite bathrooms. A spacious Lounge with a library and movies, Galley and Sun Deck areas allow you to relax between dives.
The dive platform at the stern makes entries and exits easy, individual dive lockers are provided, camera tables set up, and photo/video professionals are on board. Diving is with your choice of single tanks (nitrox included), or if qualified to use them, aluminium doubles with decompression tanks available.
Photographs and information about the boat can be found at on their website http://www.trukodyssey.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/trukodyssey .
The 2022 charter rate is US$3,395.00 plus 5% sales tax and a $50 Chuuk Permit to be prepaid to us. Total US$3,614.75. This rate covers diving including tanks and weights, accommodation, meals, drinks including beer and wine, and airport transfers on arrival and departure. Standard nitrox mixes are provided free.
Not included in the charter fee are non standard nitrox mixes for decompression which are US$2.00/cubic foot, and crew gratuities.
Required deposit is US$1,500.00 with the balance of the trip cost being payable six months before departure.
Please contact dave@techasia.ph for payment details.