Rebreather World - View Single Post - Do you want the good news or the bad news?

Drmike · 12th March 2006, 07:45

I only got to hear the bad news before I leaped over the side of the dive boat and swam down the line that the captain had just finished tying to the wreck. We had been side-scanning off the West coast malaysia for the last week or so and I was heading down to see what it was we had found at this location. The captain after finishing his tie-on had returned to give us the bad news just as I was about to jump in.

"The bad news is there are no portholes, the good news is......." I didnt hear as I splashed into the water.

To me the best moment when wreck diving at an uncharted site is when the shape of the wreck comes out of the darkness and you can begin to realise what you have found.

As I passed 40m and the wreck came into view it was clear why there were no portholes...we had found an unchartered submarine.

With the aid of the on-board library we realised we had found the wreck of the Italian built sub the UIT23.

This UIT23 was stripped empty of its fighting equipment and was used secretly by the Germans during the war as a cargo sub to smuggle desperately needed goods such as tin and rubber back to Germany from asia. It was salvaged but her exact location had remained unchartered - untill now.

It was a great trip. Two virgin wrecks, two battleships, a cruise liner, a submarine, a cargo ship or two - all on one trip.

Ill put some pics up on my website in a bit.

12th March 2006, 07:45	#1 (permalink)
Drmike Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,323	Do you want the good news or the bad news? I only got to hear the bad news before I leaped over the side of the dive boat and swam down the line that the captain had just finished tying to the wreck. We had been side-scanning off the West coast malaysia for the last week or so and I was heading down to see what it was we had found at this location. The captain after finishing his tie-on had returned to give us the bad news just as I was about to jump in. "The bad news is there are no portholes, the good news is......." I didnt hear as I splashed into the water. To me the best moment when wreck diving at an uncharted site is when the shape of the wreck comes out of the darkness and you can begin to realise what you have found. As I passed 40m and the wreck came into view it was clear why there were no portholes...we had found an unchartered submarine. With the aid of the on-board library we realised we had found the wreck of the Italian built sub the UIT23. This UIT23 was stripped empty of its fighting equipment and was used secretly by the Germans during the war as a cargo sub to smuggle desperately needed goods such as tin and rubber back to Germany from asia. It was salvaged but her exact location had remained unchartered - untill now. It was a great trip. Two virgin wrecks, two battleships, a cruise liner, a submarine, a cargo ship or two - all on one trip. Ill put some pics up on my website in a bit. __________________ Cave diving is a sport Wreck diving is a sport Diving in general is a sport 'Rebreather diving' is not a sport its the delusional obsession with a highly dangerous and often inappropriate piece of equipment Last edited by Drmike : 12th March 2006 at 08:54.
(Offline)