I spent a week on the Truk Odyssey, a spectacular boat that lived up to its #1 live aboard rating. We spent the week diving the deep wrecks in truk lagoon. As divers go, I'm a complete newbie compared to the rest of the group. I was truly humbled to be allowed to dive with them.

This trip was a joint endeavor of Oceanic Ventures and Dudas' Diving Duds.

Arrival

After a very interesting landing, Lenny bused us to the Odyssey, where we setup our gear and then hit the sack.

Around the Boat

The Odyssey is a spectacular live aboard with enough space to take 40 passengers prior to its retrofit to a diving boat. The dining area, rooms, AV room and sun deck are all spacious and well appointed.

Amagisan Maru

The Amagisan Maru is a 6 hold freighter lying partially on its port side. It is 450 ft long and sits on a slope reaching a depth of 200 ft.

Dives:
(#183) 4/20/2005 - 184' for 49 minutes.
(#184) 4/20/2005 - 181' for 47 minutes.

Fujikawa Maru

Resting in shallow water, the Fujikawa is an easy shallow evening dive for a deep week. Covered in coral, sponges and anemones it is somewhat of a creature dive on the outside. The Fujikawa Maru is 437 ft long and sits in 120 ft of water.

Dives:
(#185) 4/20/2005 - 98' for 52 minutes.

Aikoku Maru

The Aikoku Maru was subjected to a massive explosion in its front holds. The explotion completly destroyed everything fore of as well as the bridge portion of the super structure. All that remains of the front of the ship is a massive wall of twisted steal with interspersed equipment, pipes, wires and other debris. The Aikoku was 498 ft long and sites in 210 ft of water.

Dives:
(#186) 4/19/2005 - 195' for 54 minutes.
(#187) 4/19/2005 - 178' for 64 minutes.

Fujisan Maru

The Fujisan Marus is a large oil tanker sunk during the February 17th, 1944 raid on Truk Lagoon. It is 493 ft long and sits in 200 ft of water.

Dives:
(#189) 4/20/2005 - 163' for 62 minutes.

Hokuyo Maru

The Hokuyo maru is a 357 ft long freighter resting in 200 ft of water.

Dives:
(#190) 4/20/2005 - 184' for 70 minutes.

Momokawa Maru

The Momokawa Maru is a 354 ft, 5 hold freighter sitting in 130+ ft of water.

Dives:
(#191) 4/20/2005 - 132' for 52 minutes

San Fransisco Maru

Called the million dollar wreck, the San Francisco Maru's holds are packed to the top with munitions and supplies. While the San Fransisco is deep enough to require technical training and gear, it is occasionally explored by experienced recreational divers due to its notoriety. The wreck is 385 ft long and rests in 210 ft of water.

Dives:
(#192) 4/21/2005 - 180' for 65 minutes.
(#193) 4/21/2005 - 203' for 66 minutes.

On the Dive Deck

The dive deck is as spacious as the rest of the boat. Designed for 18 divers plus dive crew, our 14 tech divers with all our extra gear didn't even begin to fill all the space. The dive crew operates as well as the boat is laid out.

Kikukawa Maru

The Kikukawa Maru is a 354 ft freighter that has been almost completly destroyed. The front 2 holds can still be explored. The rest of the ship has been destroyed. The remaining section lists 120 to 140 degrees to starboard (i.e. it is almost upside down).

Dives:
(#194) 4/21/2005 - 123' for 53 minutes.

Nagano Maru

Resting in 160ft to 210ft of water, the Nagano is a 345ft, 4 hold, steam powered freighter.

Dives:
(#195) 4/22/2005 - 183' for 72 minutes.
(#196) 4/22/2005 - 183' for 71 minutes.

Kiyosumi Maru

The Kiyosumi Maru was anchored in the repair anchorage. As a result, its holds are empty. However, the foxel contains a lantern room full of lanterns, and the engine room is easily accessable. Most of the engine room is clean due to the open nature of the super structure and the currents. The Kiyosumi, 453 ft, rests in 100 ft of water on her port side.

Dives:
(#197) 4/22/2005 - 96' for 61 minutes.

Seiko Maru

The Seiko Maru is a 392 ft long 5 hold freighter resting in approximately 150 ft of water.

Dives:
(#198) 4/23/2005 - 171' for 51 minutes.

Shotan Maru

The Shotan Maru was sunk while apperently tring to run aground. It sits in deep water, upright against a steep underwater hill. A 285 ft, this ship is a small 4 hold, steam powered freighter.

Dives:
(#199) 4/23/2005 - 159' for 62 minutes.

Blue Lagoon Resort

The Odyssey picks up and drops off passengers at Blue Lagoon resort. We stayed overnight before our flight out at 2:00AM the next morning.

The $0.50 Tour

... for $50

As you might guess from my sarcasm, I wasn't impressed. Hopefully they will improve the content of the tour, or reduce its cost.

Time to Go

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. After drying and packing our gear, it was off home to return to normal life.