Global Dive Trip with BSAC Clubs
What do you do when mates and dive buddies immigrate to Australia? Do you …..
a. Say good bye and send a Christmas card,
b. Keep in touch via e-mail, Facebook and Skype,
c. Wait for them to organise a trip and then go diving with them?
That was how it started, with an idea to meet up and dive somewhere warm and like all good ideas it escalated from there. Most divers have been on organised club trips with other BSAC clubs before so in these days of instant and easy communication does it really matter that the other club is based on the other side of the planet? No.
Sydney BSAC had a planned trip to Truk lagoon comprising members of both Sydney Sub Aqua Club and Brisbane BSAC but as with all trips there is always room for a couple more. So a great opportunity was seized to join like-minded divers, dive with an old friend and meet new people. Before long a club trip had expanded to a three club trip, featuring BSAC clubs Sydney, Newbury and Brisbane.
Using local travel agents the parties assembled at The Blue Lagoon Dive Resort in Chuuk to explore many of the wrecks in the famous lagoon.
Dives covered….
Day 1, 3 dives Fujikawa 34m, Kensho 36m, Kiyosumi 30m
Day 2, 2 dives Aikoku 64m, San Fransisco 60m
Day 3, 3 dives Nippo 45m, Shinkoku 38m, Rio De Janeiro 35m
Day 4, 2 dives Oite 61m, Nagano 67m
Day 5, 3 dives Hoki 53m, Yamagiri 34m, Heian 32m
Day 6, 2 dives Fujisan 61m, ??????
Day 7, 3 dives Submarine I-169 44m, Sharks 18m, Betty Bomber 18m
Day 8, 2 dives Amagisan 60m, Shotan 51m
Initial dives were on the shallower wrecks to ensure that all the equipment had survived the baggage handler’s attention. These wrecks have been well dived but thanks to the “look only rule” they are remarkably intact. It was on the Fujikawa that the first telegraph was seen and this was to be a reoccurring item seen on most wrecks.
During the Second World War it became apparent that air superiority would be important and on some of the wrecks, there were aircraft spares along with 3 or 4 aircraft, just waiting to be delivered to an island.
On every one of the dives there was something to discover, from the famous tanks and mines on the San Fransisco to bicycles in the Shotan. Everything the Japanese had planned to use to occupy the pacific islands, trucks, road rollers, bulldozers and even mobile generators in the holds and let’s not mention the massive quantity of Saki bottles needed to keep the army happy (how did they every think they could win a war).
There were massive torpedoes, bombs, guns, antiaircraft guns, tankers, ordinance of all sorts. Galley’s to be explored, engine rooms to be discovered, human remains to remind people of the horror of war. The silence of giant props to sound the death of these work horses of the seas.
On just about all of the wrecks at least 2 of the holy trinity of wreck diving could easily be found. Compass roses still in the binnacles’, telegraphs on the bridge and of course engine rooms. The only items missing were the bells as these were removed years ago.
For those that like a little fish action, sharks were seen on most dives along with schools of jacks. We also had the fortune to watch a couple of eagle rays dancing over one of the wrecks.
In the evenings we managed to relax at the bar, watching the exceptional sunsets while downing several soothing beverages.
Divers on the trip ranged from Sports divers through to Mixed Gas CCR divers and all the experience levels were catered for with the help of the BLDC.
Robert Larisch the trip organiser, mentioned that it was difficult at times as it was “like herding cats”.
Following on from the success of this trip all 3 clubs are now discussing the next trip. It has been mentioned that the Australian’s might like to come to “Chuuk of the North” in Scapa Flow, or to organise a trip to Bikini Atoll, but more to follow.
Kind thanks to Cathy de Lara for providing the photo’s.
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