Pattaya & Samae San Ship Wrecks

Text supplied courtesy Paul Lees author of Dive Guide Thailand.

HARDEEP WRECK

Location: 14km (7 ½n. miles) southeast of Sattahip Pier. The wreck lies in about 30m (100ft) of water off the southern headland of Koh Samae San, in the narrow channel between it and Koh Chuang.

Access: 30min by dive boat from the pier in Samae san. Weekend wreck expeditions are regularly scheduled from Pattaya.

Conditions: Extreme currents – occasionally visible on the surface – flow through this narrow strait. The wreck can be successfully dived only during slack tides. Visibility ranges between 2m (6 ½ ft) and 15m (50ft).

Average depth: 28m (96ft)

Maximum depth: 32m (106ft)

The Hardeep was a Thai registered steam ship of around 1000 tons, length almost 70 metres, beam 11 meters.

The ship was built in the ship yards of Hong Kong and owned by the East Asiatic Company in Bangkok. Captain H.A. Andersen, owner of the company decided, in honour of the Royal Family of Siam he would name the ship Suddhadib after Princess Suddhadib, one of the daughters of King Rama V.

During the Second World War, when Thailand was occupied by Japanese forces the ship was used to transport fuel from Bangkok to Sattahip Navy base.

On the 1st of June 1945 RAF B24 Liberator Bombers based in Calcutta India where sent on a bombing raid, to destroy several Japanese ships here in Sattahip. Each plane from RAF 159 and 99 squadron where carrying 5, 1000 lb bombs, in total three ships where hit and the Hardeep (Suddhadib) sank at anchor in a matter of minutes.

The recommended (and often only) way to dive the Hardeep is to descend down the mooring line directly onto the structure; free descents are not advised. When currents are stronger you might limit exploration to the wreck's leeward side. The ship's structures are radiantly colored by a multitude of soft corals, encrusting sponges, sea whips and white bushes of stinging hydroids.

Associated reef inhabitants are also plentiful. As you arrive, banner Fish, fusiliers and snappers often shy away into the darker recesses. This wreck can be penetrated, although a number of snagged nets restrict some passageways and caution is required. Many of the steel plates, doors and portholes remain in place, and the engine is intact.

PHETCHABURI BREMEN WRECK

Location: About 30km (16 n. miles) from Pattaya Beach , in the channel between Koh KhramYai and Sattahip on the mainland.

Access: About 3hr by dive boat from Pattaya Pier. Finding the site requires a skilled captain.

Conditions: There are strong currents and low visibility. To enjoy this wreck, you need to plan your dive around the slack tides.

Average depth: 19m (63ft)

Maximum depth: 24m (80ft)

The Phetchaburi Bremen sank during the 1930s when a fire broke out in the mid ships engine room; the resultant explosion buckled the hull and allowed water to gush in.

This 60m (200ft) steel freighter has settled upright on the sandy sea-bed; its highest point is just under 17m (56ft) below the surface. Since sinking, it has received further damage to the bow and hull, courtesy of the Royal Thai Navy, who many years ago used it for bombing practice.

In addition to the structural dangers, the large numbers of stinging hydroids and urchins present should inspire caution, especially in the low visibility.

Almost totally encrusted with a diversity of marine growth, this wreck has now become an extremely impressive artificial reef. Soft corals add a colorful frame around the eroding structures and portholes. You can still see, around the wreck, the forms of multiple pulley systems and broken parts of heavy machinery - there's even a bathtub!

The Royal Thai Navy Ship Khram was a decommissioned Landing craft that was purposely sunk by the Thai Navy as an artificial reef project in February 2003. Pictured above on the morning of her sinking.

Location: The second northernmost island in the Far Island chain; about 2km (1 n. mile) southeast of Koh Luam (Site 1). The wreck lies around 300m (635ft) off the southeast apex of the island of Koh Phai in 30m (100ft) of water.

Access: About 2hr by boat from Pattaya Beach . There are usually two mooring bouys marking the wreck's location.

Conditions: Currents are generally weak to moderate; stronger currents, though fairly rare, make this a good drift-diving site. Visibility averages 5m (16ft) to 15m (50ft).

Average depth: 24m (80ft)

Maximum depth: 30m (100ft)

This 90m (300ft ) LSM-1 Class Landing ship was sunk by the Royal Thai Navy on the 1 st February 2003. The ship has been cleared of all explosives and ammunition; there is also plenty of natural light penetrating the structure. The top of this upright wreck is reached in a depth of 15m (50ft ). This is the bridge and radio room and affords an unchallenging entry. As one would expect to find in a vessel of this class, the bottom is quite flat, whereas the port and starboard sides are build up, providing interesting passageways in which to explore. Although the engines have been removed the dials, gauges and pipes all remain in the otherwise empty engine room.

One thing to remember is the presence of silt in many areas, so watch your buoyancy control to avoid any possibilities of getting caught in a silt-out!

NEW! ANOTHER DIVE WRECK IN PATTAYA!!

The Royal Thai Navy Ship HTMS Kut 731, (former US Navy USS LSM-333) was sister ship to HTMS Khram. She was again purposely sunk by the Royal Thai Navy after she was cleared of all explosives and ammunition and her tanks cleaned. The Royal Thai Navy conducted this off Pattaya, as an artificial reef project on Sunday 17th September 2006.

There is plenty of natural light penetrating the ship's structure. The top of the wheelhouse of this upright wreck is reached in a depth of 14m (47ft). Right now you have an opportunity to dive on a completely new wreck, with all the paint and visible signs and markings clearly identifying the vessel.

The bridge and radio room is centrally located and makes an interesting ascent to the surface, stopping off and exploring the captain’s seat and instruments before heading up the radio mask to the safety stop.

The Kut is almost identical to the Khram, the top deck is flat allowing the ship to transport tanks and other military vehicles, whereas the port and starboard sides are built up offering protecting from enemy fire when beaching and unloading, these provide interesting features to explore.

Both the engines have been removed but entry to the engine room is through a large hole cut in the centre of the deck.

Location:

The northernmost island in the Near Island group; about 10km (6 n. miles) West of Pattaya beach. The wreck lies around 300m (635ft) off the northeast apex of the island of Koh Sak in 31m (100ft) of water.

Access:

About 45 mins by boat from Pattaya Beach. There are several mooring buoys marking the wreck's location.

Conditions:

Currents are generally weak to moderate; stronger currents, though fairly rare, make this a great wreck diver, deep diver and Nitrox training site.

Visibility averages 5m (16ft) to 15m (50ft). Average depth: 26m (85ft) Maximum depth: 31m (100ft)