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| 2008 Pacific Islands Expedition O'Ahu, Guam, Yap, Ulithi Atoll, Ngulu Atoll, Palau & Peleliu, Chuuk, Pohnpei RETURN |
Our expedition begun on February 1st, with a couple of warm up dives off
the coast of O'Ahu Island in Hawaii.
I literally mean "warm up", before this expedition the diving was in cold
water, in the Campbell River and Quadra Island waters of Canada's west
coast. That was Cold water diving, even in August. Roger did great with
his double 7mm neoprene Wet Suit, while I enjoyed the comfort of a
neoprene Dry Suit.
After arriving in Guam, and skipping a day, by crossing the International
Date line, on Monday February 4 and Tuesday the 5th, I did 4 dives,
including 2 at the site of 2 wrecks in Guam's Apra Harbor. Cormoran is a
wreck from World War I, and Tokai Maru, a World War II ship wreck.
The Expedition continued by flying to island of Yap, in the FSM
(Federated States of Micronesia), where we boarded our Exploration
Vessel. Our first stop was to deliver supplies to the small islands that
make up the Ulithi Atoll.
Our first dive was at the Island of Falalop, if we were to reach conclusions
about the bio diversity on reefs of Ulithi Atoll, this would not paint an
accurate picture of the life in the seas around the atoll, as we later found
sites with big variety of life.
Next day we made our way to the Island of Mogmog, where we did
several dives and found amazing reefs, not trampled, and perhaps never
looked upon by man. Each dive differed by where it was located. The
areas beaten by heavy waves, had different formations than areas
isolated from such elements.
First dive of the day was to a wave beaten outer reef, where excellent
live-rock formations provided fantastic homes for large assortment of reef
fishes, from small gobies, blennies, through medium dwarf angels, such as
Flame Angels, Six Line Wrasse, and larger tangs, angels and large
wrasses, reef sharks, and green turtles.
Next dive was the most spectacular in Ulithi, the site located
on a calm water inner reef, within the atoll. The top of the reef had large
selection of hard corals, and giant tridacna clams, the reef sloped
gradually in some areas, and steep walls, including with a few cuts and
valleys, without diminishing in variety and abundance.
Our expedition included a visit with people of the island of Mogmog.
About 200 people live on this island. A Jesuit church, a diesel operated
electric power station, and an elementary school are present on this
island. To continue education, a high school is present at the Island of
Flalalop, and further education would require going to Yap and beyond.
The 3rd day, at Ulithi Atoll, was a visit top USS Mississenawa,
a World War II fuel supply ship sunk by a Kaiten, a manned Japanese
Torpedo (a Kamikaze Torpedo). When it was hit, men on all the other
ships stationed at Ulithi Atoll, thought that an accident occurred, causing
the explosion. The fire and sinking of the Mississenawa was photograped
and recorded on film.
This was the only known casualty of such a manned torpedo.
This wreck returned into the news when the fuel started leaking in 2002,
and US Navy came and pumped out most of the fuel, and capped the
remainder, where it should pose minimal affect on the surrounding reefs.
We visited with people of Federai Island, in whose waters this wreck is.
The island was smaller than Mogmog, relying on a few Solar power
collectors, especially for the communication radio. A new dispensary was
under construction, with a US Peace Corp worker supervising.
We started the long journey to the Ngulu Atoll. An eighteen hour trip on
the open Pacific Ocean, but not as rough as the trip from Yap to Ulithi.
We visited with the entire population of Ngulu Island, the chief
and the other eleven people. They also had a solar powered
communication
tower.
This is another atoll exposed to the waves of the Pacific Ocean.
We did Four dives in the Ngulu Atoll.
I have more information available, about these Two Atolls, for those who
care to hear me talk.
We continued down to PALAU.
More Information about PALAU, part I, and part II,
is available for those who are interested.
I sent this write up on February 20th, from Palau.
The Expedition will continue in Palau, then to Truk Lagoon, and
Island of Pohnpei. I will post more reports, as time permits.
>>> Palau Feb. 15 to 20
>>> Palau Feb. 22 to 28
>>> Chuuk, Truk Lagoon Feb. 29 to Mar. 7
>>> Pohnpei Mar. 8 to 10
>>> Winnipeg Mar. 11
>>> Kwajalein & Bikini Atoll are postponed due to
uncertain flights to the atoll.
PART II
All Scheduled Diving is over for this EXPEDITION.
Total of 74 Scuba Dives and 5 Skin Dives.
PALAU was fantastic as expected, this year we were able to do 15 dives
around the island of Peleliu. Plus a tour of the island, including the
Bloody Nose Ridge. Here over 12,000 men lost their lives in a battle that
was
determined to be unnecessary (10000 Japanese, 2000 Americans).
Chuuk, Micronesia is the site of Truk Lagoon. Truk Lagoon was
attacked by Americans in WWII, leaving a large number of wrecks,
including planes and a submarine.
At Truk Lagoon, I have noticed a great deal more sea life attached to the
wrecks, over last visit. Will have to Study and compare the previous data
and photographs.
My new DEPTH record, on a single Tank of Air, 191 feet (according to my
depth guage), [188ft, on the dive computer]. This was to the wreck of
AIKOKU MARU, in Truk Lagoon. Last time I did not want to take the
camera down that deep, (Only rated for 40 meters (131ft)), this year I have
photographic record of Aikoku Maru and San Francisco Maru (171ft
depth).
The last diving, was done in Pohnpei, Micronesia.
I was surprised with the variety and amount of live on these dives.
Pohnpei, is not known in the Recreational Scuba diving circles, as a place
to dive.
Pohnpei visit concluded with a visit to Nan Madol ruins. A visit made
more exciting, by a torrential rain storm as we were kayaking among the
ruins.
| You can view some pictures from the 2008 Expedition at this temporary website: XtremeXplorer |
