On January 9th to 13th Big Blue Tech, BSAC Technical Centre will be conducting technical dives on the Mv Sea Chart 1 based off the coast of Khao Lak.

This even is open to experienced technical divers only in the region.

The purpose of this trip will be to conduct a survey of the condition of the wreck and identify hazards for other divers by placing guides and warning signs.

History:

MV Sea Chart 1, a Thai bulk-carrier ship transporting millions of baht worth of teak from Burma sank approximately 6 nautical miles from the Phang Nga Naval Base, Khao Lak on August 23rd.

Mv Sea Chart 1 was in the process of transporting 1,200 teak logs in its 3,200-tonne hold from Burma along a well-known nautical route from Burma, heading across the Andaman Sea, down through the Straits of Malacca and then on to to its final destination in Vietnam.

However, the bulk-carrier encountered problems not far from Thailand’s coast, where rough seas and severe weather battered the ship, causing multiple leaks in its hull. Water also leaked into the engine room and began to sink the vessel.

All crew on board the Sea Chart 1 managed to escape on inflatable rafts. By 9.30am, all crew members were safely transported via life rafts from their stricken vessel onto a Thai Navy rescue boat.

MV Sea Chart, 84 meters long and 12 meters wide, now rests on her starboard side in 40 meters of water. As marine life already begin to gather around this artificial reef, this fascinating ship wreck still with cargo aboard and many other original features makes a jaw dropping dive for wreck divers.

Cost: 5,000 THB for 2 dives including equipment.

More info here