ThaiWreckDiver.com

Well I managed to wait two whole days before going down to visit this wreck in its new home. Unfortunately visibility was not too good so as we descended the line down to the main anchor at 30 metres it was a bit dark and murky. And a huge anchor it is with the massive rope leading the way back towards the ship itself.

The first sighting to me was awesome as I have never dived a new wreck before. To see the still brightly painted sides and clearly visible huge numbers was brilliant.

Over the edge and in to the grey painted central deck. To see signs written in Thai clearly visible around the deck is a clear reminder of how ‘fresh’ this wreck really is.

As I have dived the sister ship HTMS Khram probably a hundred times navigation on the Kut was easy. First stop the Conning Tower. The Thai Navy have not left much in the way of equipment but still good to see it without years of marine life crust.

The interior of the Conning Tower in the Kut has not been cut away the same as the Khram so take note!!!

From the Conning Tower we went along the deck to the stern. I tried to see in to some of the passageways along the side walls but too murky to see much. But I did find a playing card on the floor of one of these rooms -the six of diamonds! I think I will pass!

The holes that have been cut in the deck are much smaller than the Khram as well!

We returned along the upper rail avoiding the steel hawsers that must have been used to fasten the boat to the tugs bringing her here. Many of the large winches are in place along the top looking like huge empty fishing reels .

Soon it is time to make the line and head towards the surface. A last look at the pristine wreck and thoughts of being one of the first 100 divers to ever have visited her.

I will return……………………….

Charlie Frost , Pattaya, Thailand

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.

The Thai navy has sunk a decommissioned warship near Koh Larn in Pattaya Bay to create a second artificial reef and breeding ground for marine life in honor of the King of Thailand’s 60th year on the throne

The United States gave this ship (Former USS LSM-333) renamed HTMS KUT to the Thai navy during 1962. The ship, now dilapidated beyond repair, has been in use for more than 60 years. It now lies just slightly North of Koh Sak in around 25 meters of water.

more info at http://www.thaiwreckdiver.com/kut.htm