Extraordinary Diving Around The World
Coron/Philippines
Diving In Coron Bay
The Philippines has over 7,000 islands, of which Coron is the one with such a large amount of wrecks, thus ranking it as one of the finest wreck diving locations in the world.
The wrecks are there as a result of an air attack by fighters and bombers, from a distant US Navy aircraft carrier, back in September 1944. There was a fleet of 24 Japanese supply ships at anchor around Coron.
Some of the wrecks are huge, up to 160 metres in length. All the big wrecks are either upright or on their sides, none are upside down.
For divers, Coron's history started on 24 September 1944 when a US Navy strike force of fighters and dive bombers attacked a Japanese supply fleet of up to 24 ships, at anchor, in Coron Bay and around Busuanga Island. At 0900 the strike force reached Busuanga Island, Palawan and found 12 large enemy ships anchored in Coron Bay and around Busuanga Island. After a 15 minute attack they left behind a carnage of burning and sinking ships. Located about 170 nautical miles southwest of Manila, Coron Bay was a supposedly safe assembly area for Japanese shipping. The cargo ship Kyokuzan Maru and two others were anchored in a small bay on the northeast coast of Busuanga. Akitsushima went down in the passage between Lajo and Manglet Island. Fully laden with fuel oil, Okikawa Maru was fatally bombed and caught fire. However, she remained afloat and slowly began to drift to the north, she was finally sank on by a second air attack on 9 October. The final casualty of the morning-long slugfest was the Kyokuzan Maru, which had erroneously felt secure on her natural anchorage far to the northeast. She and two other ships were attacked by planes from the USS Lexington. Damage and a fire was reported on one of the ships. The Kyokuzan Maru was scuttled by the Japanese.
Kyokuzan Maru: Japanese freighter approximately 160-180 meters long.
Location: Northeast of Busuanga Island. Due to it's distance from Coron this wreck is dived by a one hour jeepney ride to the north end of Busuanga and transferring to a rented dive boat. This is done as an all-day trip for two dives on the Kyokuzan Maru.This is a beautiful wreck dive experience. More or less intact, this huge sunken ship usually offers good visibility of about 20 meters and ideal diving conditions. Japanese staff cars and trucks can be found in the cargo rooms.This dive is best when made while breathing 36% Nitrox for a 75% increase in allowable bottom time.Max depth: 40 meters on the bottom. The deck level lies between 22 and 28 meters. Recommended certification level: Advanced Open Water Diver, Wreck Diver Specialty.
IJNS Irako:Type: Provision Store Ship/Reefer (AF); Jap. "Kyuryo-kan", type designator: Tp
Length over all = 146.9 m; Lpp = 143.3 m
Breadth = 19.05 m Draft = 5.94 m (unloaded); 6.05 m (at stdd.) Displacement = 9,570 ts stdd. / 11,100 ts max. Propulsion = 2 x 4,150 shp geared steam turbines, 6 Kampon-type waterpipe boilers, oil + coal fired; 2 shafts/2 screws/1 rudder Max. speed = 17.5 knots Range of operation = 6,600 naut. miles at 14.0 knots Armament = 2 x 4.7"/50 cal. (12 cm) high angle guns in single armored stands; 5 x 1.0" (2.5 cm) AA guns in single stands; numerous depth charges in poopdeck racks Yard = Kawasaki Heavy Industries Co., Kobe/Japan Built = May 1940 until Feb 1941; launched = 14 Feb 1941; commissioned = 5 Dec 1941
IJNS Irako was ordered as a Special Service Ship (Jap. "Tokumu-kan") under the third 1937 supplementary program. The ship got fitted with powerful reefer installations, various shops for confectionery and others and was commissioned as a "Large Fleet Reefer Supply Ship". A Japanese refrigeration ship located at the mouth of Coron Bay. N 11*58. 059', E 120*02. 412'
The ship was quite large at 9723 tons, 146.9 metres in overall length and 19 metres wide. The engines were two steam powered geared turbines (8300 shp) driving twin props. The steam came from 6 Kampon boilers; the engines provided a maximum speed of 17.5 knots. Probably one of the best wreck dive in the Philippines. The Irako is quite intact and because of the good visibility you know you are on a big shipwreck. Big groupers, schools of tuna and yellow fin, lion fish and scorpion fish live around this wreck. Two sea turtles live in the crumpled and folded metal of the superstructure.
There is a beautiful deep penetration through the engine room for trained, experienced and properly equipped divers.
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