WWII Japanese Ship Wrecks - Coron, Philippines 2010

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There are nine Japanese Shipwrecks which were sunk by the Americans during WWII in Coron. These are Taiei Maru, Akitsushima, Tangat Wreck, Olympia Maru, Kogyu Maru, Irako, and three others. Diving within these eerie tombs felt surreal. There were still coils of rope left carelessly, a few unrecognizable items littered around, covered in corals and the ship’s structure with its forgotten might were visible with decay and mighty bomb holes. The port windows that lead into different galleys felt auspicious and filled with silt. Some of the ships were upside-down and tilted, giving you a strange sense of vertigo. The diving conditions were silty and could get a bit cramped. It was very easy to lose other divers into these encaved tombs. While exploring these silent giants, I couldn’t help but wonder what it must have been like for the poor souls who were bombed into oblivion. The noise, the panic and the blood curdling screams of desperation as the American bombs hit its target.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=374471772911  Check this video out to get a feel of what it's like diving within the wrecks.

 

Diving any ship wreck has its perks. It's a treasure trove of sea life. You'll find the most interesting little creatures camouflaged within its surroundings. It takes a keen eye to spot these sneaky critters.

Nudi Branch

     Crocodile Fish

Eel

        Nudi Branch

Razor Fish

Clown Fish