Video compiled and edited by Mike Barnette of our recent trip to Truk Lagoon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlEcHwS022k
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Chuuk video
Video compiled and edited by Mike Barnette of our recent trip to Truk Lagoon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlEcHwS022k
Was there this past Nov-Dec '11 with Pete Mesley . . .very nice Heather!
Just finished watching again the 1969 documentary episode, "Lagoon of Lost Ships", from the Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau DVD set, about the re-discovery of the WWII wrecks of Truk Lagoon . . .and seeing how "pristine" they were to dive on just over 40 years ago. (Fantastic to see Jacques himself hovering above the "Heian Maru" ships lettering, just like we all did on our Truk visits!)
I've been going to Chuuk every year since 2007 (returning again this Oct '12), and in those four years even I have noticed the wrecks rapidly deteriorating condition. They're all nearly 70 years old, and according to veteran dive guides (like Chenny over at Blue Lagoon Dive Ops), they are in the end stage of final collapse and are becoming very treacherous to penetrate --they won't be intact much longer beyond ten years from now.
Last edited by kevrumbo; 03-15-2012 at 07:39 PM. Reason: add link
"There are no mistakes. The events we bring upon ourselves, no matter how unpleasant, are necessary in order to learn what we need to learn; whatever steps we take, they're necessary to reach the places we've chosen to go."
Checkout this four-part news piece "Ghost Ships of Truk Lagoon" from ABC San Fran/Oakland Bay Area affiliate KGO from 1986 (excellent historical report & interesting archival film on Truk wreck diving from only 25 years ago):
--Earlier 1980's footage from the Japanese Gov't recovery & cremation of the majority of soldier/seamen remains from the troopship Aikoku Maru and other ships (divers literally stuffing skulls & bones in mesh bags), and a ceremonial Shinto Funeral on the grounds of the Blue Lagoon Resort.
--The late great Kimiuo Aisek giving a dive briefing and remembering events back on the day of the raid as a seventeen-year-old eyewitness. (And a very young Gradvin Aisek, his son, as an interpreter during a tour of Eten Island).
--Footage of Al Giddings prying the hatch open to get inside the I-169 Submarine. . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMtA1G0cnro
"There are no mistakes. The events we bring upon ourselves, no matter how unpleasant, are necessary in order to learn what we need to learn; whatever steps we take, they're necessary to reach the places we've chosen to go."
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