Diving the Wrecks of Truk Lagoon
Gregory PiperThe kingpost of the Nippo Maru. This really is the wreck that inspired me to pay such close attention to the transformation of the wrecks at Truk Lagoon. It is like two separate dives on this wreck — your safety stop is no doubt as breathtaking as your journey through her cargo and artifacts below.
Gregory PiperThe iconic image of Truk Lagoon. No doubt this image has inspired thousands of divers to make the pilgrimage to Chuuk. I have shot it every time I have been here and seeing it and the machine shop she lays in never gets old. Located in the Fujikawa Maru, this compressor is perhaps the most photographed and visited object in the Lagoon.
Gregory PiperThe king post of the Nippo Maru. This is my favorite spot to enjoy a safety stop. The sun on this July morning looked almost heavenly as it penetrated through the center of the growth. I have spent entire dives on this post alone, it always has juvenile angelfish, ells and tons of macro life.
Gregory PiperShinkoku Maru is yet another favorite dive, starting shallow in only 35 feet of water and quickly dropping down to her screw at 120 feet. This wreck is covered in prolific soft coral growth and several dives on her will just leave you wanting several more.
Gregory PiperA teapot rests on the hull of the Heian Maru, obviously placed there by a diver who chose to display it rather then leave it where it came to rest with its ship. These relics are what make Truk so great.
They tell the human story — on each dive as I look around, I imagine what it must have been like on the morning of Feb. 17, 1944. The human element cannot be ignored here — the Lagoon reveals the true nature of war. It is truly unique and amazes me more every time I visit.
Gregory PiperThe coral-encrusted remains of the Kensho Maru’s 3-inch gun. This wreck remains in great condition — lying upright it makes a perfect subject when the sun is shinning.
Gregory PiperA shot of the Gosei Maru — such a beautiful wreck.
For the fourth time in as many years my flight touches down on Chuuk, better known as Truk Lagoon. The destination dreamed of by every avid wreck diver in the world, the location of Operation Hailstone in 1944 and etched on the bucket list of everyone in the diving world.
Why do underwater photographers love this destination? The iconic images of the compressor in the Fujikawa Maru, the Zero fighters in her hold, the tanks on the deck of the San Francisco Maru, and the trucks in the belly of the Hoki Maru waiting to be unloaded 70 years later. All the time that has passed has certainly taken its toll on the fleet od vessels laying on the bottom of Truk Lagoon.
Every year I return to find the hands of time have changed every site once again. Every year fewer artifacts remain — fewer bullets, china, shells. The items disappear, taken either by locals who use the ammunitions to fish, or divers who take an item for themselves —whatever the reason, whatever the cause, it is happening and at alarming rates.
The ocean takes it share as well — warm water and bubbles left behind by divers have caused the ships to begin to break apart — just 18 months ago the superstructure of the Fujikawa Maru collapsed into the engine room, making a once easy penetration off limits to most today. This is the evolution of any maritime wreck — it’s not going away, it is simply morphing into something new.
What used to be just metal has transformed into lush soft corals and beautiful reef. Bringing with it an ecosystem, if properly cared for, that will keep this Micronesian island on divers' bucket lists long after the ships have gone.
The coral brings fish; and in turn those fish bring bigger fish, sharks, rays, and species of all sizes. I have seen more and more sharks on each visit. Bumphead parrotfish and Napoleon wrasse now patrol these wrecks, with numbers growing every day. The corals are as amazing as the wrecks they cling to, and if you take your time and look, you will see a kaleidoscope of colors hidden in plain view.
