Tech dive in Northern Mariana Islands

spn2298

Hafa Adai to you all!
I am an easygoing restaurant owner who dives almost everyday and run a small restaurant at night. I’ve been living in Saipan Northern Mariana Islands for 20 years.

As you may know, Northern Mariana Islands are known for scuba diving with many worldly known famous sites like Grotto. there are so much more to see! I would like to introduce some secret diving sites that I discovered to you all.

* LVT-2 Water Buffalo (Landing Vehicle Tracked type-2) Picture below:
This site has several LVT used by the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Army during World War II. There are located in 30-50m (100-164feet) deep.
In June 15th of 1944, US troops has landed on Saipan Island by using many LVTs. After the war, they despised them in the water. These LVTs are from that time. I strongly believe that this is type 2 (water buffalo) since it has the drive shaft in the middle. Napoleon fish and sharks can be seen around this area.

*Cave1(Power cave): An entrance is located in 40m(131feet) deep in the wall, there are large opening space inside. The cave’s ceiling is 32m (105feet) high, and the bottom is 60m(197feet) deep.

*Cave2: Recently discovered cave, and the bottom is 70m(230feet). It’s not as large as the power cave above, but very interesting to see the two-way maze inside.

*2298-Drop off: very nice walls going down to 100msw＋.
The water is so clear that light is unnecessary up to 80m deep. Great site for Trimix training.

There are many other nice diving sites and remains of the WWII yet to be discovered in the Northern Mariana Islands.
For example:
B-29 "Joltin' Josie" (The Pacific Pioneer)
This is famous for the fist B-29 that landed on Northern Mariana Islands in October 12th of 1944, An advance echelon 73rd BW HQ detachment - led by one B-29 "Joltin' Josie. The Pacific Pioneer", Piloted by the XXI BC commanding general BGen Haywood S. Hansell, Jr. - arrived in Saipan/Isely Field from the United States.
In April 1st of 1945, after it departed Saipan/Isely Field to bomb Japan, it landed on Magician Bay due to the machine trouble.
The record is stated in the site below.
Pacific War Chronology
Which states : (42-24614 - 498th BG - MACR 13766 "Joltin' Josie, The PacificPioneer" ditched after take off, Currier crew lost)
I'm still looking for this, but not discovered yet.

Finally, The rebreather diving in Northern Mariana Islands is not popular and there are no dive shops that are equipped with O2 and sorb for rebreather divers.
In my garage, I have a mixgas fill station with oxygen and helium imported from Guam, have 5 sets of 3l AP cylinders, 3 sets of Luxfer alum 19cf cylinders and many Luxfer alum 40cf cylinders for offboard.
If you like to enjoy Silent diving in the Northern Mariana Islands, please feel free to contact me at any time. I will be more than happy to help you.
I look forward to seeing you all.

Regards,

-Masa

Attached Images

megalodon8.JPG (31.6 KB, 236 views)

grandizer52

Masa,
could the AMTRAC (LVT) be like this one

WWII LVT 4 Page 1
if so it'd be a important historical find

laytah
steve

silent running

Hi Masa, thanks for the post, the diving sounds great. Very nice photo of the LVT, looks like the viz is exceptional. I'm sure being near a 35,000ft+ trench helps.

Is Guam the only way to get to Saipan and what is the best season/time for diving? -Andy

grandizer52

Bro,
Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Truk/Chuuk are dive able year round, nothing like being down 200 FSW and looking up to see the keel of the boat...
laytah
steve

Meerveld

I began Technical diving in Guam in 1997. It had gin clear water and fantastic diving. I rate Palua, Micronesia, south of Saipan as the most spectacular all-round diving location I have ever been to. I am envious of you living in that area.

It has always been an ambition of mine to dive the uninhabited islands north of Saipan that make up the Northern end of the Mariana chain. Please let me know if any diving liveaboards ever go up there or if anyone puts a trip like this together?

Regards,

Carl

__________________
We do not inherit the earth from our parents; we steal it from our children ~ based on a Native American proverb

grandizer52

Carl,
got a buddy out there, that made a few trips to Pagan Island, says there's about 60 inhabitants, along with some japanese leftovers from WWII (old Air base ETC) says the fish and what not are super abundant do to the lack of any human presence. I'd like to grab a sail boat and compresser and head out there

spn2298

Steve,
Thank you for discovering my old thread.
But I don't think it was a important historical find.
US Marine has landed on Saipan and Guam by using many LVTs.
After the war, they were thrown away. so it's easy to find them in here.

look at the picture below. (first one)
I believe this is LVT-2 (not LVT-4) since it has the drive shaft in the middle.


I attach some pictures of tbe other wreck.They are Parts of Kawanishi FLYING BOAT H8K-2.
2nd: Front nose with Type 99-1 Model 20mm MG.
3rd: Kasei type-22 engine and the 3.9m dia. four-blade propeller.

Regards,

-Masa

Attached Images

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	front nose.jpeg (30.3 KB, 86 views)
	kawanishi.jpg (32.5 KB, 85 views)

ken chung ar

kon-nichi-ha, masa-san,

i live in tokyo and am a friend of aki-san. like steve, i did not notice your old post put up last year.

i have dove Dolphin for two years and now convert myself to an Evolution diver. my instructor is otahara-bucho. when i complete his classes, i will surely visit with you and dive all those diving points you introduced to us.

see you soon,

kca

__________________
KCA
APD Evolution CCR and Draeger Dolphin SCR pilot
Inhabitant of the City of the Garden for Sharing Pleasure with Every Man and Woman
JAPAN

grandizer52

Masa,
I'm going to be in guam in march...again, for 2 weeks. I want to swing back up to Saipan, and see the wreckage. Back on Guam on Shark point there are about 30 or so LVT's I didn't really think there was a difference till a sailor at the media center told me some had the ROTAX engine, so now we are trying to find as many w/ the turbine as possible.
If all works out could I lure you to dive a day on goat island on the south side of tinian?
laytah
steve

spn2298

Ken-san, Hajimemashite. (Nice to meet you!)
Henshin arigato goza-imasu. (Thank you for your reply.)

Congrats on your Evolution. I know personally that Koichi Tahara is an excellent instructor.
Have fun with Your new evolution and safe diving.
Please contact me when your course completed. I look forward to seeing you.

Hona sainara,(All the best,)

-Masa