Wreck diving is recreational diving where the wreckage of ships, aircraft and other artificial structures are explored. Although most wreck dive sites are at shipwrecks, there is an increasing trend to scuttle retired ships to create artificial reef sites. Some wreck diving involves penetration of the wreckage, making a direct ascent to the surface impossible for a part of the dive.
Some wreck diving involves penetration of the wreckage, making a direct ascent to the surface impossible for a part of the dive. It serves as an artificial reef, which creates a habitat for many types of marine life, it often is a large structure with many interesting parts and machinery, which is not normally closely observable on working, floating vessels, the exciting or tragic history containing artifacts of historical, artistic and/or monetary value, it presents new skill challenges for divers and it is part of the underwater cultural heritage and may be an important archaeological resource.
Unexpectedly, Indonesia became one of the sinking places for shipwrecks during the war at that time. Shipwrecks in Indonesia are scattered in various regions, for divers, the shipwreck is used as a spot to pamper the eyes and to be enjoyed. Here are some of the best ones you can put on your list!
The USAT Liberty shipwreck is the crowning jewel of Tulamben diving, that is one reason why divers come to Tulamben. It used to carry parts of the railroad tracks and rubber needed for war. Liberty was built as a 120-meter cargo ship equipped with two weapons during World War II. In January 1942, the ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine which was temporarily anchored off the coast of Lombok. In 1963, it was still grounded on the beach at Tulamben when Mount Agung erupted.
The SS Duke of Sparta, also known as the SS Aquila is a cargo ship built by William Gray and Organization in Teeside, England in 1940. It is 150 meters long, over seventeen meters wide. In 1958, whilst moored in Ambon Bay, Maluku, it was targeted as part of a covert mission by the CIA and bombed by an unmarked Douglas B 26 Invander bomber piloted by Allen Père. However, the Duke of Sparta was unknown also for over 50 was called The Ambon Wreck, it must be one of the most saved legacies in Indonesia.
The wreck is at a depth of 50 meters in the sea making this a challenge for divers. Therefore, divers will find it difficult to see reefs and bunch of fish when diving, usually divers can only see blue walls and faint oceans. However, to find Sophie Rickmers requires patience, the deeper to swim it will be seen fish fish swimming around the ship.
Source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wreck_diving
Photo by : Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
