techdivethailand

5 metre whale shark at the Chumphon Pinnacles diving site

This morning, divers from DJL Diving Koh Tao got to dive with a 5 metre long whale shark at the Chumphon Pinnacles.

On the boat to enjoy the experience was Christy, making the final two dives of her PADI Open Water course with DJL Instructor Alex. Also diving was Luke, with a group of certified divers.

Let’s hope the whale shark sticks around for a few days!

DJL Diving Team Identifies WW2 Japanese Minelayer HIJMS Hatsutaka

Davy Jones Locker [PADI 5* Gold Palm Resort, BSAC Centre of Excellence]

Written by Tim Lawrence, Gary Bain & Darius Moazzami 

Introduction Throughout the Second World War, the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysian peninsular was the scene for much naval conflict, with the loss of many military and cargo vessels. The relatively shallow depth throughout this region means through the application of deep technical diving techniques, we can explore the seabed, revisiting these lost ships and investigating history. During March 2008, a team of divers from Davy Jones Locker [Koh Tao, Thailand], organised an expedition to locate and identify a military vessel with a lot of history in this region - the Imperial Japanese Navy Minelayer Hatsutaka. Here are our findings.

Image: Mast on the forward section of the HIJMS Hatsutaka

Historical Perspective

The Japanese Minelayer HIJMS Hatsutaka was completed in October 1939. Built by Harima & Co. Hatsutaka gave it’s name to that class of ship. Measuring 90.9 metres in length with a 11.3 metre beam, the Hatsutaka class had a fast, sleek design displacing 1608 tonnes. Engineered with a dual shaft, three boiler power plant, 6000hp was delivered to the propellers giving the minelayer a maximum speed of 20 knots.

Image: WW2 Minelayer HIJMS Hatsutaka

The Hatsutaka class were dual purpose minelayers and net tenders.

With a capacity 360 mines, at the time of building HIJMS Hatsutaka was armed with four 40 mm guns plus a further four 25mm anti aircraft guns.

As WW2 progressed, American submarines become increasingly effective in disrupting Japanese shipping, reducing the transport of vital raw materials. In response, HIJMS Hatsutaka was modified and assigned the role of convoy escort, in an effort to restore the flow of aggregates for the Japanese war machine. Hatsutaka excelled in this new role. Fiercely defending Japanese marus throughout the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysian peninsular, Hatsutaka rapidly became the scourge of US Submarines in this area.

On May 3rd 1945, Japanese Naval records show that the Hatsutaka attacked a submarine in the southern Gulf of Thailand, dropping depth charges on the submerged vessel at 30 fathoms. It’s believed that this was the Baleo Class submarine USS Lagarto [SS-371]. All 86 men on the USS Largato were lost.

Commanding Officer of USS Lagarto, Commander Latta was a veteran of war, having previously made seven patrols as Commanding Officer of USS Narwhal II (SS-167). Every patrol made by this officer was designated successful for the award of combat insignia, a record surpassed by no commanding officer in the Submarine Force.

USS Hawkbill [SS-366] Commanding Officer, Lt. Comdr. F. W. Scanland, Jr. was a close friend of Commander Latta. Stationed in peninsular Malaysia, when the Lagarto was reported overdue, he swore to avenge the loss of his colleagues.

Image: Baleo class submarine USS Hawkbill, photographed in October 1945 [Courtesy of http://usshawkbill.com/366/]

This excerpt is from the Official History of the USS Hawkbill [http://usshawkbill.com/366/].

“Continued westward and at two o’clock in the morning, 16 May, commenced patrolling in shallow water seven miles off the Malay coast, just north of Pulo Tenggol, Malaya, scene of much of Hawkbill’s later actions.

Within two hours after arrival on station, and 2 hours before dawn, Hawkbill contacted an unidentified target running south along the coast. Within an hour after contact, after closing to get at the target before he could enter a mined area behind Pulo Tenggol, Hawkbill had fired six torpedoes from the forward nest for two hits. Range was 2600 yards. Target stopped and opened up with a barrage of four-inch and automatic weapons fire which lasted off and on until seven o’clock in the morning. The target was obviously hurt, but still afloat, and his gunfire held Hawkbill off during darkness.

Pulling clear until dawn, Hawkbill submerged and started back in, closing sufficiently to identify the target as a sleek, fast mine layer of the Hatsutaka Class. He was being towed slowly toward the beach, stern first., by a small sea truck of about 400 tons. At extreme range of 4650 yards, Hawkbill fired a second salvo of three torpedoes at this target. Sighting the wakes, Hatsutaka opened fire with everything he had in an effort to detonate the torpedoes. To no avail, however, for one broke him in two with a terrific explosion amidships.”

Davy Jones Locker Dive Expedition: March 28th 2008, Eastern Peninsular Malaysia

After researching war reports and cross referencing this data against local knowledge, we determined the likely location of HIJMS Hatsutaka. Malaysian fishermen were aware of a large wreck in their waters, and suggested it was from the correct period, but were unaware of the identity.

We believed the wreck would be situated several kilometers north of Dungun, to the north-west of Pulao Tenngol, approximately one kilometer off shore. This is a popular spot for the fishermen to drop fish traps, and for spear fishing.

With the logistical assistance of local Tenngol Island dive operator Lee Tong Theng ‘Charlie’, we chartered a fishing boat and headed to the wreck site, with the objective of locating and identifying the Hatsutaka. Scheduled during one of South East Asia’s inter-monsoon periods, the expedition was coordinated to coincide with the best possible diving conditions. A large river estuary flows into the sea at Dungun, but we would be diving sufficiently far north for visibility to remain unaffected.

Image: DJL Diving PADI Course Director Darius Moazzami prepares to dive

Arriving early morning with near zero wave heights, we ran a brief sonar survey, before deploying the shot line. Maximum depth in this area is relatively shallow at 35m, but the region does suffer strong north-south currents.

Image: Manolo tends to the depth sonar

We planned five waves of wreck dives throughout the day, breaking into teams of two divers so we could discuss the observations from each dive and maximize the effectiveness of our survey. Visibility was in the 10-15m range, with the current running strong in the morning then easing off later in the day.

On the first dive our shot line was secured to what we believe to be the forward section of the wreck. The ship is broken in two main portions, with the break situated amidships rear of the bridge.

The bow section is lying on it’s port side, measuring approximately 45m in length. This forward section lies on a roughly north-south orientation.

Image: Forward section of the WW2 Minelayer HIJMS Hatsutaka

The stern section of the wreck is sitting upright on the seabed, approximately 25m off the bow section, extending west, towards the mainland. The structure is still mostly solid, with portholes lining the hull. This is all consistent with the information given in the original war report, with Hatsutaka being towed stern first towards the mainland, and breaking in two.

In addition to the two main sections, there are other scattered areas of wreckage. Primarily attributable to the original torpedo attack, this is has also been contributed to by ‘dynamite fishing’ which was only made illegal and enforced by the marine police as recently as ten years ago.

The wreck is rich with WW2 artifacts. In the debris field beneath the bridge, we observed typical WW2 Japanese naval items.

Of particular interest was part of a pair of binoculars, which are characteristic of the superior optics used by the Japanese at this time.

Left image: Part of a set of binoculars, typical of Japanese optics used in WW2

Right Image: Gyroscopic compass and range finding device

This artifact is very similar to a set recovered from the Japanese Heavy Cruiser Haguro [sunk 55 miles south west of Penang, Malaysia]. 

Also fascinating, was a large gyroscopic ship’s compass and range finding instrument, fitted with intricate glass prisms and scales.

After cleaning the coral of the top piece of the range-finder, we found the following manufacturers plate:

Image: Makers plate on top of range-finding device

The translation of the Japanese script, comes out as follows:

 90 Compass Type 1
[Kou-Dai-Kyo] Big Mirror

Type KA5 No. 19973
Company Name
Tokyo Keiki Sei Sakujo [Tokyo measurement company]
Made December 1938

Given that the HIJMS Hatsutaka was completed in 1939, the date of the makers stamp on the compass fits well. 

Scattered across the wreck we saw several pressure sensitive mechanisms which we assume to be part of a depth charge triggering mechanism. These are stamped with Japanese script.

Image: Depth charge detonator device

On the stern section there are many unexploded shells.

We recovered an empty casing, which measured 25mm, again consistent with the technical details for HIJMS Hatsutaka.

Image: 25 mm casing, consitent with HIJMS Hatsutaka’s armament

We also observed what we assume to be an anti aircraft turret mounting, and believe the gun to has fallen off the mounting, into the wreckage.

After 63 years on the seabed, the wreck of HIJMS Hatsutaka is now rich with marine life. The ship is encrusted with colorful corals, with an enormous population of fusiliers and trevelly surrounding the wreck, a testament to nature’s ability to overcome adversity.

Diving the Hatsutaka was a fascinating experience, and we’ll soon return with another team of divers from Davy Jones Locker to further explore and map the wreck.

Image: The dive team from Davy Jones’ Locker: From left Gary Bain, Tim Lawrence, Tristan Termat, Bruno Silveira, Darius Moazzami & Manuel Santana Lopez.

We’d like to thank Lee Tong Theng ‘Charlie’ and Dick Clark [from the Official USS Hawkbill website] for their contributions in making this expedition a success.

Wreck Dive Expedition Opportunities with Davy Jones Locker

At Davy Jones’ Locker, Koh Tao Thailand, we’re committed to dive exploration, and will continue to seek out lost ship wrecks throughout South East Asia.

You too can get involved.

To encourage dive exploration, we’re offering an exciting new option for all our technical diver training with Davy Jones’ Locker.

If you enroll on either a DSAT Tec Deep or BSAC technical diving course with DJL, all the profit from your tech course will be put towards funding dive expeditions such as this. So as part of your tech diving course, you’ll get to take part in an exciting dive expedition.

For example, on this dive expedition Tristan Termat was completing his tech diving course - for his last two dives he joined our expedition team, re-locating and identifying the HIJMS Hatsutaka.  If you’re interested taking up the challenge, contact DJL Diving.

Image: Tech student Tristan and Tim prepare to enter the water

You can read full details of our technical diving courses on our website.

If you’re already certified as a technical diver [or are a group of technical divers], and want to get involved, again contact Davy Jones’ Locker, and we can discuss what’s possible.

There are many targets still waiting to be explored - we just need to commit the time and resources.

Images of Whale Shark at the Chumphon Pinnacles Ko Tao

Following up on the previous whale shark story, BSAC divers Jane & Nigel from sunny Norfolk have kindly sent us images from their whale shark sighting at the Chumphon Pinnacles, Koh Tao.

Image: Whale shark at the Chumphon Pinnacles, photographed by Jane and Nigel

Using their digital underwater camera, they guys also got a good snap of one of the bull/grey reef ? sharks at the dive site.

Image: The guys after they returned from their afternoon of shark diving!

If you’re a certified diver and are planning on diving in koh tao, it really is worth checking out our late afternoon RIB diving trips. The benefits of getting out to the dive site by yourselves are massive!

For just a couple of hundred baht extra you’ll dive in a very small group, and get real primo dive experiences.

Whale Shark encounter diving at the Chumphon Pinnacles

When we head out for our late afternoon dives on the RIB, being the only boat at the dive site we expect surrounded by sharks, but yesterday afternoon we got a special treat at the Chumphon Pinnacles. Descending down the buoy line, the guys got to see a whale shark hanging around the pinnacle.

Certified divers Nigel & Jane, Morten, Rolf & Paul, got to enjoy a great dive as we were the only boat on the dive site, surrounded by sharks [which were even breaching the surface].

Whilst the divers were underwater, conditions deteriorated, with wave height increasing. Tim decided that rather than double diving the Chumphon Pinnacles as we usually would, we’d make the second dive at White Rock, which is much more sheltered. Even at White Rock, the guys got to see a hawksbill turtle.

The benefits of making the effort to get to Koh Tao dive sites when there are no other divers are massive. If you are a certified diver visiting Koh Tao, and want to check out our RIB diving, contact us and we’ll draw up a schedule to suit you.

Marlin encounter diving at the Chumphon Pinnacles Koh Tao

During one of our late afternoon dive trips to the Chumphon Pinacles, our divers got to see a blue marlin above the dive site.

It’s very rare to see these large blue water fish - they’re rarely seen hanging out around the dive sites, rather spending most of their time in the open sea. Plus they are very fast [so no photo this time].

Image: DJL Diving’s twin engine high speed RIB

Diving from our high speed RIB, the blue marlin was visible as the divers entered the water and descended down towards the dive site. It didn’t stick around for long, quickly dispearing off into the blue!

For the rest of thedive, the guys got to witness the more predictable sharks, bat fish, barracuda and giant grouper that congregate at the spectacular Chumphon Pinnacle.

It all goes to show, that by making the effort to get out to the distant dive sites when there are no other Koh Tao dive operators there, is more than worth it. When the dive site is quiet, you never know what will turn up!

If you interested in taking advantage of our High Speed RIB diving, get in touch.

Shark Diving gets DJL Diving featured in DAN Asia Pacific article

As a result of our awesome shark diving sessions off the high speed RIB, DJL Diving have been mentioned in an article featured on the end of 2007 ‘Deeper with DAN’ bulletin.

Our RIB allows us to reach Koh Tao’s best  dive site when there are no other dive operators - the result is a close encounter with lots of sharks.

Image: Shark at the Chumphon Pinnacle [Taken by DJL Instructor Arne D’Hoore]

Last year, underwater photographers and keen ’shark divers’ Robin Nagy & Richard Campbell took advantage of this exciting diving opportunity, and got up close with ths sharks at the Chumphon Pinnacles. In their report, they put convincing evidence that the sharks are not grey reef sharks [the Koh Tao general consensus] but rather juvenile bull sharks.

Image: Shark at the Chumphon Pinnacle [Taken by DJL Instructor Arne D’Hoore]

You can see the article by visiting the DAN Asia Pacific website [Divers Alert Network] on this link: ‘DAN Asia Pacific’

Whale Shark Sighting on PADI Scuba Open Water Course

For the last few days we’ve had fantastic visibility around Koh Tao, Thailand. Even better, this morning during the last two dives of their PADI Open Water Course, Joost & Marjolien [Netherlands] got to enjoy 2 dives with a whale shark.

Image: 4 metre whaleshark at the Chumphon Pinnacles Koh Tao, Thailand

Diving at the Chumphon Pinnacles with DJL Diving instrutor Alex, the group were joined by a 4 metre whale shark. Luckily, Alex had his camera to hand, and was able to capture these great photos of the whale shark.

Image: Marjolien happy to see the whale shark on her third ever dive!!

Also on the boat to enjoy the spectacle was Kieron, teaching a PADI Advanced Open Water class for Diane (Australia), Sebastian & Deborah (Germany). The whale shark circled the pinnacle and remained around the dive site for both dives.

Image: The whaleshark circling the Chumphon Pinnacles

We’re happy to announce, Sebastian and Deborah have decided to carry on through to PADI Rescue Diver then PADI Divemaster Internship with DJL Diving - no doubt they’ll be appearing in future news articles!

Image; Deborah, Diane, Kieron & Sebastian enjoying a fantastic dive experience!

Unicorn Deep Wreck Dives - Koh Tao

Off our new RIB, we’re running frequent wreck diving trips to the Unicorn Ship Wreck north of Koh Tao.

The Unicorn is a large cargo vessel, lying upright on the seabed close to Koh Tao. The wreck lists slightly to one side - the deeper side at 46 metres, with the sand off the side of the wreck at 48 metres.

This depth makes it perfect for us to run an introduction to technical diving - giving people a taster of decompression diving, allowing them to discover it they’re up to taking a full tec diving course.

We’ve just returned from an intro to tec session with future PADI DMT Rosie, Go Pro Intern Leona and retired Sairee Hut PADI Divemaster Storm.

Images:

1. DJL Diving instructor Matt and Storm on the RIB

2. A strong sonar return showing an image of the Unicorn Wreck standing proud of the seabed

3. DJL Instructor Arne prepares alongside Rosie & Leona for the deep wreck dive

We commence the intro to tec program with a theory session. This covers important concepts of deep diving - equipment, dive planning, decompression procedures, narcosis management . . . we normally run this session the evening before the dives are scheduled.

Images:

1. Many soft corals grow on the Unicorn Wreck north of Koh Tao

2. Colorful fish swim past a winch support on the Unicorn Wreck

On the day of the wreck dives, we load all the dive equipment onto the RIB then head out to the gps mark of the Unicorn Wreck. We time our arrival so that we reach the wreck during periods of slack tide to make the diving as easy as possible. First we locate the wreck using a sonar, then send two technical divers down to secure a line on the wreck (which we can then anchor our boat to).

We’ll then jump in for the first dive - descending down the line we plan for a 42 metre dive around the bridge area, for a planned bottom time of around 10 minutes. During the ascent, we’ll follow a simulated decompression schedule - we’ll make a 10 minute stop at 10 metres and conduct a respiratory minute volume check (RMV) to determine how much air you’re consuming. We’ll then step up and make simulated stops at 6 and 3 metres to assess your ability to control your buoyancy during decompression stops.

Images:

1. Coral crusted structure of the Unicorn

2. A beautiful soft coral growing on the wreck.

During the surface interval, we’ll look at the info collected on the first dive and project this into a second dive on the wreck. The second dive is likely to be a little deeper - in this case 46 metres for a 15 minute bottom time, with full deco during ascent. We’ll get to further explore the bridge and forward mast areas, taking a swim along the deck and inspecting the open cargo holds.

Images:

1. Tim deploys a lift bag during a dive on the Unicorn ship wreck

2. A ladder on the bridge of the Unicorn ship wreck.

If you’re interested in trying DJL Diving’s into to tec diving on the Unicorn shipwreck, contact us and we can discuss your wreck diving trip!

Images:

1. Rosie, Arne & Storm make a deco stop after their 46 metre wreck dive

2. Go pro intern Leona on a Unicorn Wreck dive

3. Rosie & Leona pose for a photo on the RIB mooring at Hin Wong Bay Koh Tao

Thanks to Stuart Shaw for the underwater images of the Unicorn Wreck.

Whale Shark Photographed @ Southwest Pinnacles

Following our previous posting of a whale shark sighting (Tor, Jeab & Tony), Note (who referred them to DJL Diving) kindly forwarded us these shots of the previous weeks encounter.

On this occasion Note, Brad, Kelsey & Michelle got to double dive with the whale shark at the Southwest Pinnacles, in great visibility.

Who’s photo do you think is best - I think we have to hand it to Tor with the whale shark - you can see the excitement!

Extraordinary Dive Experience with a Whale Shark

Referred by their buddies who got to see a whale shark (diving with DJL Diving two weeks ago), Thai divers Toni, Tor & Jeab left Bangkok to get their own dose of Koh Tao whale shark action.

The guys did around 10 dives each and had a very clear objective - they wanted to see the big fish!

We did a mix of high speed RIB Diving plus dives from a hard boat, seeing grey reef sharks, great barracuda, giant groupers . . . but two days past with no sign of any whale sharks . . . . .
On their last dives at the Chumphon Pinnacles, joined by PADI Open Water diver Sarah (AUS) they got the encounter they were looking for! And the wait was more than worth it!!

Diving with Alex, the group enjoyed a 6 - 7 metres long whale shark, which remained around the dive site for at least 45 minutes. Visibility was fantastic, and the guys managed to capture some great photographs!

From Top Left:

1. The whale shark shows itself above the Chumphon Pinnacles.

2. Alex poses for a photo with the giant fish

3. Tor celebrates seeing the whale shark. I think he was happy!

4. Toni enjoying a great dive!

Sanook sanan chalam wan!!