This ship is off Wairterang Beach, Maumere Bay. Archaeological work describes it as a Japanese logistics ship carrying charcoal, timber, and water. It is 62 m long, with a hull 10 m wide and 4.5 m high. The ship was lying still, not under way, when it was hit by an air attack in the daytime around 1943. The hull broke, the body snapped, and it sank slowly.
From the beach, swim about 70–100 m over the sand. The wreck appears on the bottom, between 12 and 33 m. The map lists 12–33 m. One record goes to 34 m. The midsection has collapsed. The deeper end is twisted onto its side. Portholes, a ladder, hatches, and rails along the middle are still readable. Those rails have led some observers to think the ship was also used to move vehicles. Entry is from the shore. There is no penetration worth attempting.
The hull is covered in coral. Some parts have been cut and lifted away. The bottom here is sand and mud, so do not stir it. The earthquake and tsunami of 12 December 1992 damaged the reefs of this bay. The coral has grown back. At the end of the dive, the seagrass beside the hull is where the seahorses are.
- Map coordinate
- −8.6085, 122.4743
- Dive type
- Wreck
- Entry
- Shore
- Depth
- About 12–33 m. One record goes to 34 m.
- Water
- Salt water, about 26–29°C
Marine life
Grouper
They patrol the wreck. A giant grouper is here too.
Giant grouper
Epinephelus lanceolatusOn the coral-covered wreck. Not on every dive.
Trevally
They circle above the hull.
Lionfish
They sit on the ship. Do not touch them, because in poor visibility a fin is easy to meet.
Scorpionfish
Camouflaged on the coral on the hull.
Blacktip reef shark
Has been recorded at this site.
Frogfish
On the coral on the ship.
Batfish
Around the structure.
Cuttlefish
On the wreck, along with eels.
Eel
In the gaps of the ship.
Macro life
The hydroids on the ship and the seagrass beside it are where the small animals are. For macro photos, use a macro lens and a focus light, and do not stir the mud.
Ghost pipefish
They live in the hydroids on the wreck.
Shrimp
Includes unusual shrimps, in the hydroids. Crabs are here too.
Nudibranch
On the coral covering the hull.
Seahorse
In the seagrass beside the hull, at the end of the dive.
An animal on this list is not guaranteed on every dive.