1o/10/2011 day 10
Wake up on the Sara Dee, a cargo vessel that sunk approximately 25 years ago. The captain comes off the anchor and we close the distance to the mark. We’re right next to the mark, but it takes some time to locate her. When we do the sounder shows 53 metres to the sand and 43 to the top with some large empty holds. We shot and Stu ties in.
I then get ready. The plan is to get in early so we can get away towards Singapore where we can get coverage for the phones. There is lots of large shipping here because we’re right in the middle of two primary shipping channels.
The bag comes up. We’re tied in and I get ready with Tom, the plan is for a 25 min bottom time and to return to the line. Tom is taking 3 stage tanks to practice. He will need the extra gas when we go deeper because his breathing rate is high. I shoot the video. We jump in. The wreck is on its side, picked clean by salvage divers and tech divers. She’s only 12 hours from Singapore. We run a distance line and head to the bridge. I shoot some video because there is lots of colored hard and soft coral. We run the line down to the bridge, then to the forecastle, then back to the line. A great dive with good visibility. Very pretty with all the fish but picked clean by other divers .
When we hit the surface I pass the camera off to Dave and get out of the gear. I wait for the other divers to return and then jump in to untie. Taking the line to the weights then securing it, then lifting the weights off of the wreck for ease of recovery. I then run a slow ascent and do some precautionary deco on o2.
We then head for Singapore.
All day we pass ships at anchor, some huge 300 metre long V L C C container ships, cargo carriers, freighters, car carriers and coastal tankers. Then as we get closer, we start to see all the ships that service these ocean traders. Supply vessels, tugs ,barges, every kind of ship, of all descriptions. The amount of shipping here is mind blowing and the logistics and competence of the local pilots and harbour masters must be enough to cause you to break into a sweat, while sitting in a cold bath.