Shotan Maru, Micronesia

By Tim Rock (Adapted from "passport to diving the world")

Well Known For :

A divespot to see world war II relics.

Diving this deeper wreck gives a real sense of wreck diving, and though coral and marine life are fantastic, the guns may be the most striking aspects of the Shotan. The top of the brdige area and the area below known as the "boat deck" ranges in depth from 40 to 50m. The aft area has damage on the port side that shows the power of the explosion that brought the ship down. The aft gun, a massive piece, is covered in corals and invertebrates, making it a stop for any photographer. The deck has a resident eagle ray. Here are two anti-aircraft guns: One has fallen through the deck, but the other is nicely encrusted in sponges and corals and surrounded by tiny fish. A truck is positioned across the first hold and a steamroller down below. Divers can swim from the first to the second hold easily. Because of its depth the Shotan Maru is rarely dived, but it's in excellent shape. With a week to live and no cares about decompression, it's a site I'd keep diving again and again.

(Ok enough with the stories, I'm itchin' for a dive)