Koh Tao Gets Its Wreck

[H2oDunc 24]

Today Koh Tao got a new wreck to dive. After a safe journey from Chumphon where she had been prepared for sinking the final jobs were done and she was ready to go to her resting place. We managed to secure some video cameras to the the superstructure which filmed her final moments. There was a lot of speculation on just how she would go down as none of us had done this before. Initial thoughts was it was going to turn turtle and sink but before she she did she just sat vertical and slid slowly down.

They had welded the hatch that gave access to the accommodation section closed as it was very narrow and was a possible risk. The air pressure being forced out of the boat in the vertical position caused the welds to fail in a spectacular fashion as seen in the pictures. After sinking she settled on the bottom in a vertical position and we feared she was going to stay in this position but after around 3 minutes she slowly settled to the sea floor at around a 30% lean to starboard. Once the sediment that was kicked up settled we recovered the video cameras and attached a buoy line and Tao has a great wreck to dive. She is sitting in 36 metres to the bottom and the deck and saloon are at around the 25 metre level. It has good penetration to the saloon and engine room and in time will be a magnet for sea life.

Thanks to all that contributed to the occasion and I am looking forward to diving this wreck for years to come.

[H2oDunc 24]

Sorry about the photos as they are in reverse but am sure you get the picture

[itishothere 109]

:clap2:

Looking forward to diving around it myself. Should be great in the future when marine life makes it their home!

[joe84330 33]

thanks for the photos, and the effort. would love to see a few dozen more sunk locally, just not any of mine

[limbos 768]

Great pix! Can't wait to dive it!

[Tropicalevo 11974]

Well Done.

Sadly the Quacks decided that I cannot dive, but my friends will be there for sure

[PhilHarries 24]

Interesting. How did you sink her? Just open the sea cocks and exit stage left, pdq?

You are a little lucky it ended up just 30 degrees list. It's a difficult job doing a controlled scuttle. Surely you must have had advice?

[H2oDunc 24]

Interesting. How did you sink her? Just open the sea cocks and exit stage left, pdq?

You are a little lucky it ended up just 30 degrees list. It's a difficult job doing a controlled scuttle. Surely you must have had advice?

Phil Hi, They removed the prop shafts and put in bungs. Then the Thai guy in charge of things simply went down and pulled them out. When asked about things we got the standard Thai reply " No problem " When he did this he forgot to tell the video guy he had pulled the plugs and he was merrily messing about till he looked down into the captains cabin to see it rapidly filling with water. He had to then just grab his things and jump for it. We are all very happy that it rested in the position it did as it offers some nice penetration with easy access to the saloon and bridge. When I left the sea life was already taking an interest as there wee a couple of big rays checking out the saloon. It is also resting near to a small pinnacle as well so it will attract the pelagic's also.