The latest images of Pattaya shipwreck ‘The Harddeep’ A.K.A ‘The Suddahip’ presented in walk-through 3D for the first time. These images resulting from survey data collected over many dives by wreck diver Alex Beuchel, show for the first time the origonal deck layout, rooms, holds and engine room of this charismatic Pattaya dive site.
How can thousands of recreational divers every year looking in every nook and cranny of a shipwreck as popular as the Hardeep wreck near Pattaya,Thailand miss an artifact as obvious as a China cup. Easy. Put it deep inside the wreck at the end of a tricky penetration dive hidden under 60 years of coral and shell growth.
The above cup, found in one of the forward staterooms of the Hardeep took many weeks of careful searching through the shells, sea urchins and scorpion fish before it ended up in the goody bag of a diver. Some mild acid and some very careful chips at the marine growth, eventualy got it to how it looks now.
Some medicine bottles and other pharmacy goods were also recovered in the same area. Rumour has it that the cup belonged to the ships doctor…
A special patrol was sent out to investigate after receiving reports that fishermen in the area are using explosives to fish. Patcharapol Panrak
Fishermen using explosives in the ocean off Sattahip have caused damage to underwater sites, leading to a drop in the number of tourists diving in the area.
The sunken World War Two warship HTMS Chuthatip in Saem San Bay is amongst the sites damaged, and dive tour operators are complaining that the bay’s exotic fish are being frightened away.
Captain Chamnong Kittipiraphol, commander of Fleet 1 at Sattahip, says that many complaints have been received from Thai and foreign tourists that explosives have been used by fishermen around various islands in Saem San Bay and also around the area where HTMS Chuthatip has been laid to rest, between Koh Juang and Koh Rong Khone.
Tourists are saying there are no scenic diving spots left and that all the large fish have deserted the area. Captain Chamnong reported the matter to Admiral Nopporn Achavakhom, commander of the Strategic Fleet, before sending his deputy Captain Pachon Ramkomot and a team to investigate.
They found that explosions have occurred around HTMS Chuthatip, which lies 26 meters under the surface. The patrol investigated the various islands in the area and found that a lot of damage had been done to the coral reefs. Tourists and dive tour operators are now being asked if they have any information on who is carrying out the illicit bombings. Call the Strategic Fleet Command on 0 3843 8008.
When Steve Burton saw me in the Mermaids Shop in Pattaya on Wednesday 13th September and told me about the sinking of the HTMS Kut the following weekend I knew I had to organise a ‘viewing’. With the help of Malai from the shop a boat was booked, Spaghetti Bolognaise ordered and a quick collection of deposits from the Interns and others.
The morning arrived and with the help of Divemasters Rocky and Ed some 35 people were shepherded down to the Bali Hi Pier in Pattaya. The pier was busy with TV crews and military personnel and after collecting the food from ‘Cookie’ on the MM1 boat we were off.
The area around Koh Sak, the site of the intended sinking, was busy with Naval Warships, tugs and Patrol Boats. We tried to position ourselves for a good view point but many of the local colourful speedboats seemed to want to be the focus of our cameras. Eventually at about 10.30 am the two tugs put up a huge curtain of water and a bright red flare was seen to spiral down from the blue sky. Soon the ship was seen to be listing towards starboard side so we had to up anchor and re-position ourselves for a better view. The old boat soon began to drop lower in the water and when the sea was seen to be flowing over in the insides at the stern we all knew she would soon be gone. The boat quickly sank stern first and was clearly seen to hit the bottom with the bow still stuck up in to the air. Slipping beneath the sea the HTMS Kut said farewell to the surface with a geyser of spray and delighted cheers from the onlookers. I whistled the ‘Last Post’ and thought of future diving visits to see the boat in her knew berth.
Charlie Frost , Pattaya, Thailand
