Technical divers explore the new shipwreck off Khao Lak

Khao Lak, Thailand - In August of 2009 the Mv Sea Chart 1, a bulk carrier from Thailand sank in rough waves during a the journey from Myanmar to Vietnam. The vessel was carrying 1200 tonnes of teak wood and sank during rough seas off the coast of Khao Lak. All crew and passengers were rescued and after the Thai Navy surveyed the wreck is was buoyed and opened for diving.

Last month Big Blue Tech conduced 3 days of technical diving during their “Golden Horseshoe Expedition” and found the wreck to be ideal for technical diving because of it’s size and depth.

The wreck now lies on it’s starboard side in 40m with a length of 85m. The wreck is still quite new but marine life continues to grow each day. Every dive conducted on this wreck reveals new passages, doorways and entrances with challenging penetrations and obstacles.

During the 4 technical dives we conducted more penetrations then before and secured many door which were previously locked into the open and tied off position allowing divers to safely enter these areas.

In addition to the wreck we found a “Ghost Pipe Fish” which is a rare type of fish which looks like a spiked piece of coral and always swims facing down. With Lion Fish and other venomous type things everywhere it’s important to look where you’re going at all times to avoid a nasty sting.

Below are pictures from our 2 days of diving.

For more information on the sinking look here at: “Andaman Sea storms sink Thai bulk-carrier”

Technical divers leave Koh Tao heading for Khao Lak on the west coast of Thailand

Koh Tao, Thailand - Big Blue Tech departs Koh Tao island heading through Chumphon City to Khao Lak to start the expedition phase of the tech course for Yvonne Fries, Helen Artal, Thomas Hallstrom and Duncan Tyler conducted by TDI Instructor James Thornton-Allan and assisted by Andrew Cavel.

The team departed from Seatran Ferry peir on Koh Tao and headed to Lang Suan Peir in Chumphon. Arriving in Chumphon we were met but a mini bus who would take us on the 4 hour drive to Khao Lak and our hotel which would accomodate us for the night.

While in Khao Lak the tech team will be diving on a technical liveaboard called the Mv Pawara which is owned by Big Blue Diving, the parent company of Big Blue Tech. After the 4 day, 4 night liveaboard in the Similan Islands we’ll be staying in Khao Lak to dive on the Sea Chart 1 shipwreck and a few speed boat trips before heading off to Khao Sok for some cave exploration diving over a few days with a planned return to Koh Tao on the 17th.

Shipwreck survey completed by technical divers

Khao Lak, Thailand - Big Blue Tech concluded the survey of the Sea Chart 1 shipwreck based off the shore of Khao Lak, Thailand at of depth of 40m with a final day of diving activities on the morning of January 11 2010.

The final day of diving was to penetrate the wreck and identify hazards and points of interest that had otherwise not been identified in the past. Penetration of this shipwreck is difficult because of the inner staircase system which connects the floors of the wheel house down which leaves no alternate exit other than a tight winding system. Another penetration proved to dangerous when faced with the possibility of entrapment at the entrance to the engine room.

Overall the wreck is perfect for shallow diving who stay along the port side of the shipwreck away from the unstable cargo and for divers who are not planning to conduct any penetration beyond the captains cabin which is spacious and safe to swim through.

The unstable cargo in question are large hard wood logs that have spilled out into the sand as the shipwreck fell on to it’s starboard side.  However, these logs did not fall completely clean and are being held in suspension by steel cables creating an overhang which looks like an appealing feature to swim under. The further hazard is created because these steel cables are rusting slowly and will break under the weight at some point. It’s clear that when these logs fall it will impact the shipwreck itself and possibly rolling or sinking it into a new position, it’s strongly recommended that penetration not happen until this event has happened to prevent the possibility of entrapment.

As a final gesture of good will to future divers we also found some items of interest in the sand was placed along the wreck in a shallow region for recreational divers to see. This follows our strict policy about removing things from shipwrecks which is even more valid on this shipwreck which might still be under insurance investigation with possible plans of recovery in the future.

With diving activities on the wreck completed the divers wait for the next event which is a liveaboard in the Similan Islands departing on th 13th returning on the 17th when we leave the region for more diving down south.

Detailed surface photos show the ‘Sea Chart 1′ shipwreck in it’s origional condition

Khao Lak, Thailand - Big Blue Tech discovered these photos during a online search into more information about the Sea Chart Shipwreck and what might of lead to it’s sinking. The official report was rough seas but that is becoming more and more unlikely due to the size of the vessel and intact hull. The Thai Military released a report marking it’s official resting place.

———-

Notice to Mariners
No. 125/2552 (Temporary)
WEST COAST OF THAILAND
Phang - nga, Khao Na Yak Westwards — Wreck.
Details : The merchant ship “SEA CHART 1” has been sunk in the position (WGS84 DATUM)
Lat. 8 ํ 34 ่.50 N., Long. 98 ํ 07 ่.92 E. (Appr.)
Mariners are warned accordingly.
Charts affected : Thai Chart Nos. 353, 307, 362 and 045.
Telegram from : Third Naval Area Command, dated 23 rd August 2009.
Issued by the Hydro-graphic Department,
Royal Thai Navy, Bangkok,
25 th August 2009.

————

The original document can be found here

Additionally the wreck is officially 84m long with a beam of 12m after being built in Thailand in 1970. While we are receiving more information daily from our readers we ask anyone who has more information to please send it for inclusion in this post.

Technical Divers explore further inside the ‘Sea Chart 1′ shipwreck

Khao Lak, Thailand - Big Blue Tech continues their exploration of the ‘Sea Chart 1′ shipwreck off the shore of Khao Lak in Thailand. The dives conduced today were to begin penetration of the inside of the shipwreck including it’s engine room, wheel house, stern hold and bow compartment. These penetrations were conducted in groups with exterior support and conducted over 2 technical dives.

Penetration of the ‘Sea Chart 1′ shipwreck is complicated by the unstable cargo of large hard wood logs which are held in place by steel cable which is slowly rusting and will eventually break under the immense weight applied by the sideways position of the boat.  While many logs have spilled out into the sand, many remain applying a great deal of pressure which restricts penetration to only a few areas.

Additionally the current and visibility improved today alowing further exploration outside the wreck which allowed the team to look at the propellers and hull.

During our dives we found signs that a fire might of contributed to the sinking. Although no actual fire damage could be seen there was fire fighting equipment in use in some areas including fire blankets and a full face mask or BA set used to fight fires. As more dives are conducted more information is revealed about this wreck and it’s condition.

Technical divers descend on the port of Similan Islands

Khao Lak, Thailand - Big Blue Tech arrived in the small town of Khao Lak on Januray 7 2010 to begin the next phase in the expedition which featured wreck diving and a liveaboard trip.

Arriving at the Big Blue Khao Lak office we quickly arranged  accomodation, logistics, oxygen, tank filling facilities, gps coordinates and a boat to get us to the wreck.The wreck in question is the recently submerged Sea Chart 1 sitting at 40m in unlimited visibililty, we’re planning on 40-50 minute bottom times to take full advantage of the dives on the 85m long wreck. It won’t be until the 9th when we actually get the chance to go diving which will last for several days until we board our liveaboard the Mv Pawara for a 4 day/4 night liveaboard in the similan islands.

With the afternoon of dive planning finished we headed out on the town to the only bar in miles called Happy Snapper. This bar is quite different from typical Thai drinking places with features like a world globe painted on the ceiling, air conditioning and a live band. In the happy snapper we ran into lots of old friends who left Koh Tao to work on the west coast for the season and it was a great chance for us to catch up with them. This was also a great chance to unwind to celebrate the end of the Cavern Course and the start of something new.

A special thanks to Marcel of Wicked Diving and Keith of Liquid Diving for their support.

Today Big Blue Tech are busy planning and packing for the upcoming 3 week long technical diving expedition through Thailand.

Technical Director James Thornton-Allan leads a group of technical divers through some of the best technical diving Thailand has to offer. James leads a group consisting Matt Payne, Andy Cavell, Mark Payne and Emily Billingham.

The expedition is scheduled to visit Khao Sok Nation Park, Nam Ta Loo Cave, Sra Keow Cave, Song Hong Sink Hole, Sea Chart 1 Shipwreck, Similan Islands on a live aboard, Emerald Cave in Krabi and other undisclosed ventures that won’t be revealed until after it’s secured discovery.

During the expedition the divers will earn many certifications including their Cavern, Intro to Cave and Cave certification along with Extended Range, Compressor Operator Gas Blender and Advanced Gas Blender (Helium Blender)

The most daunting task of any expedition is the planning and logistics to allow us to dive everyday in several different locations covering hundreds of miles.

This expedition requires special equipment we don’t normally take with us which includes an Haskel Mini Oxygen Booster, Helium and Oxygen Analyzer, Portable Petrol Powered Compressor, GPS and Portable Sonar, Oxygen and Helium Filling Whips, Torches, Cameras, Satellite Phone and Emergency Oxygen, Dive Medic First Aid Kits, A 4 Door 4×4 Pick-up Truck and that doesn’t include the actual diving equipment or personal equipment.

This expedition is also a great opportunity to show new technical divers the essential foundation of this style of extreme diving which has it’s roots in exploring the unknown and going where the majority of other divers never venture. Not only that it’s all about going where we want to go diving and getting wet when it suits us. No boat schedule, no time table, just the open road and a lot of water to jump into.

You can follow our expedition as we’ll be updating the news from the road.

Big Blue Tech have published their upcoming schedule of various technical diving events during the holiday season of December and January.

These events can be found down the right hand side of our main news page or here:

• Event: Cavern Diver Course Expedition Khao Sok
  Fri 18 December 2009
  
• Event: Cavern Diver Course Expedition Khao Sok - 2010
  Sun 3 January 2010
  
• Event: Sea Chart 1 Shipwreck Survey
  Sat 9 January 2010
  
• Event: Tech Liveaboard Similans Island
  Wed 13 January 2010

Otherwise Big Blue Tech will be training and diving leading up to these events.