 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
At the bridge of the MV Medhufaru - 7 years after it sank |
|
At the forward part of the wreck - benath the collapsed part of the hull |
|
|
|
December 2015 - I conduct many dives to the distant wreck of what is presumably the World War I SS Perseus, sunk by the German mine layer SMS Wolf. On several days, the flat calm seas enable me to explore the wreck, at 42 m depth in search of evidence of its true origins. I also return the newly discovered wreck, which I call the Clarke Wreck, for more photographs for my upcoming book - Ghosts of the Deep - shipwrecks of Sri Lanka. Closer at home I also visit the MV Medhufaru that sank in 2009 and explore it over several dives. A great month of diving! |
|
|
|
|
|
At the Clarke Wreck - A diver explores below decks |
|
What remains of the propeller and the rudder of the Clarke wreck. |
|
|
|
|
|
At the stern of the Perseus (42m) |
|
A techdiver explores the single screw propeller of the Perseus |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
07/11/2016 - The conditions are getting better in Colombo and we explore the Pecheur Breton Cargo Wreck. This is one of the most popular wrecks in Sri Lanka. It is quite intact and contains lots of areas for exploration providing for a delightful dive. Click here for more information. |
|
|
|
|
|
In a cargo hold - at the collapsed part of the hull |
|
A diver by one of the masts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At the bow of the wreck |
|
Inside the hull |
|
|
|
|
|
18/10/2015 - Based on information provided by fisherman, I locate another small shipwreck off the coast of Colombo.. Later I am delighted to find that it a long forgotten wreck on which world famous Science Fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke conducted his last SCUBA dive at the age of 74 in March 1992!. Click here for more information on this amazing story. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Club members before the dives |
|
The magnificient Trincomalee Sunrise |
|
|
|
|
|
12/09-13/09/15 - The only active Scuba Diving club in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Sub Aqua Club was founded in 1985. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the club organized a massive event in Trincomalee with the patronage of 30 divers. Over two days the club members dived the Trincomalee Pigeon Island area and also joined the Sri Lanka Navy divers in exploring two special sites at the restricted Trincomalee Harbor - the Admiralty Floating Dock 26 and two Chinese Gun Boats that had been sunk during the Sri Lankan civil war in late 1980's. |
|
|
|
Special Aniversary cake at the revelry that followed |
|
Special dives with the Sri Lanka navy Diving Unit at the Trinco Harbour |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Huge Dog Tooth Tuna circle the wreck |
|
A tec diver by the midship anti-aircraft gun |
|
|
|
|
|
11/09/2015 - We return to the Hermes to conduct two dives on the same day. The conditions are pretty good this late in the season despite a moderately strong current and low visibility mid water. Down below the conditions are perfect with good visibility and zero current. Huge Dog Tooth circle us as we explored midship and forward area of the wreck including the Superstructure and the lower deck. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Editor of DiveSriLanka introduces author Rex Morgan at the SLSAC |
|
The "Hermes Adventure" by Rex Morgan |
|
|
|
|
|
25/08/2015 - Sri Lanka has a truly unique shipwreck. The HMS Hermes, the worlds first purpose built aircraft carrier. It is one of three divable aircraft carriers in the world and the only one to have sunk during action (the other two were sunk as artificial reefs). Today HMS Hermes is a much sought after Tec Dive by divers from all over the world, who visit Batticaloa, Sri Lanka just to dive the Hermes.
The HMS Hermes sank with the loss of 307 men. Hundreds survived. One of the survivors were Charles Morgan, the official Royal Navy Photographer on duty aboard the Hermes. Before she sank, he captured six iconic pictures of the stricken Hermes that became some of the most iconic war footage of the World War II. Later, in the 1980's his son, Rex Morgan, authored the book "The Hermes Adventure", an amazing account detailing the history of the Hermes and the sinking including dozens of survivor accounts. It is one of a kind book much sought after by all divers who visit the Hermes.
Thus it was a privilege to have Mr. Rex Morgan, on the invitation by DiveSriLanka.com, to speak at the Sri Lanka Sub Aqua Club monthly talk night. The event had record attendance with fans lining up to get Rex Morgans autograph on their own copy of the Hermes Adventure. Thank you Rex for visiting Sri Lanka and attending this event. We enjoyed your talk tremendously and hope we see you soon!
(Photo Credits: Yohan Abeysekara of Sri Lanka Sub Aqua Club and Charles Morgan) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Get Wrecked in Sri Lanka" - DiveSriLanka.com t-shirt at the Festival |
|
The editor speaks at the LiveTrinco convention at Nilaveli Beach |
|
|
|
|
|
31/07/15 - 02/08/15 - Editor of DiveSriLanka.com Dharshana Jayawardena was invited to speak at the LiveTrinco festival organized by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board. LiveTrinco was a festival village with a myriad of entertainment, music, water sports and special tours. Dharshana Jayawardena conducted a presentation on "Legions under the sea - A glimpse to a Trincomalee unknown" , where he covered some fascinating stories related to four wars around the world that contributed shipwrecks to the Trincomalee Waters. The visit was followed by two exploratory dives at the Swami Rock and also a new dive site "Uppaveli Corner" - a shallow dive with surprisingly lush corals and marine life. |
|
|
|
|
|
The famous Swami Rock dive site below the Konneswaram Temple |
|
Pigeon Island Natoinal Park Reef is the best place to see Sharks |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Near the bow of the wreck |
|
Below deck 5.5 inch Mark I naval gun |
|
|
|
|
|
June 11-13, 2015 - We conclude a fantastic expedition to the worlds first purpose built aircraft carrier located off the shores of Batticaloa Sri Lanka. This wreck is also one of three divable aircraft carrier wrecks in the world. However it is the only aircraft carrier that was lost in action. The HMS Hermes sank within 10 minutes after the first of 40 direct hits from Captain Fuchida's dive bombers during the Japaese attack of Ceylon in 1942. Click here for more pictures of Expedition IX |
|
|
|
|
|
The 4-inch AA Guns |
|
Blue water decompression after a 53 metre dive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
18/05/20/15 - Dive Sri Lanka is happy to announce the arrival of "Book of the seas" - The shipwrecks of Sri Lanka authored by DiveSriLanka.com editor Dharshana Jayawardena. This 50,000 word book will contain historical information about the shipwrecks and also describe the diving experience to the ship. The book will include hundreds of unique underwater photographs. Watch this space for more information and special announcements about the book launch planned early December. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
World premier story breakout by Verenigde Vleugels (United Wings) |
|
One of the large groupers on top of the fallen wing |
|
|
|
|
|
08/05/2015 - Even as the leading Dutch Aircraft Magazine Verenigde Vleugels breaks out the DiveSriLanka discovery of RAF Dutch Squadron 321 Consolidated Catalina PBY-5A (Call sign Y-78), DiveSriLanka heads to the east coast for more survey dives of this World War II aircraft crash site. This time the conditions are great and the visibility almost limitless. For more information click here. |
|
|
|
The signature Catalina wheel. |
|
DiveSriLanka pictures published in the Verenigde Vleugels |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Copper Wreck - The engine and the boiler |
|
Half buried propeller of the Copper Wreck |
|
|
|
|
|
A photo report from divers Travice Ondaatjie and Rasika Muthucumarana on the "Copper Wreck", a small shallow age of steam wreck situated north of the Great Basses Ridge - Click here for more information. |
|
|
|
|
|
The magnificent Great Basses light house in the middle of the ocean |
|
Beneath one finds intricately carved limestone caves and formations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 2015 - DiveSriLanka conducts eight technical dive expeditions to survey the Taprobane North Wreck and look for any clues that could reveal the identity of this massive ship. A number of evidence found strongly points to a ship of English origin during the early 19th Century. Along with other matching charachteristics it is a strong possibility that this is the SS Perseus. See our movie - At the Kills of the Wolf. |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Superb night dive at Daveys reef |
|
|
|
|
|
07/03/2015 - On invitation for a Underwater Photo assignment, we explore the reefs of Kalpitiya in style with Cey Wave, a plush catamaran belonging to the Kalpitiya Discovery Diving (KDD) at the Ruwala Resort in Kalpitiya. KDD now offers diving tours and dolphin watching expeditions on the Cey Wave. It is the most comfortable and grandest diving experience we had in Sri Lanka. We conduct three dives at the Bull Dog Reef and the Daveys Reef, including an excellent night dive. For more information visit Kalpitiya Discovery Diving. |
|
|
|
|
|
A Scorpionfish at Daveys reef during the night dive |
|
The delightful Bull Dog Reef is full of marine life |
|
|
|
|
|
A tiny fish at Bulldog Reef - a haven for the macro photographer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
6/2/2015: We travel far to the Taprobane North reef in Colombo to explore one of the most mysterious shipwrecks in Sri Lanka. Called the "Wallet Wreck" because of its resemblance to a giant bag of money, this wreck has so far eluded identification. At 40m depth and 30m at the top its one of the most beautiful shipwrecks in Sri Lanka with excellent marine life. Click here for more information |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
14/02/2015: Another deep mystery at 45m of depth this lovely little wreck in Colombo is a great artificial reef. The single large boiler is telling that this ship hails from the age of steam. Click here for more information |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Join us at the Adex 2015 Technical Dive Conference on 10-12 April 2015 at Suntec City, Singapore and listen to our Editor, Dharshana Jayawardena speak about shipwreck exploration in Sri Lanka and unravelling the mysteries of the deep. Buy tickets here |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Consolidated Catalina PBY-5A |
|
The crash site today |
|
|
|
|
|
A discovery and conclusions by Dive Sri Lanka has now been confirmed by an expert panel setup on the request of the Dutch Ambassador to Sri Lanka. The panel was setup and included Catalina expert Prudent Staal at the Lelystad Airport in Netherlands and former commander Anne van Dijk, chairman of the Foundation ‘Friends of the Historic Chamber of the Netherlands Naval Air Service. The key pieces of evidence are a) The type of aircraft found b) the location c) the nature of damage and a final key detail d) before the plane crashed the port side engine had loss of oil pressure and the propeller position was "feathered" (i.e. set parallel to the airflow) to reduce resistance. At the wreck site - one of the propellers are in "feathered" position and the other in "normal" position consistent with the crash account issued by the crew. For more information about the discovery click here |
|
|
|
One of the propellers is in "feathered" position |
|
The other in the "normal" position consistent with crew reports |
|
|
|
|
|
Last year we had a great year of diving and exploration! See the Year 2014 report |
|
(C) www.DiveSriLanka.com. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction of any material from this site is strictly prohibited. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to Sri Lanka! The best location in the Indian Ocean to Scuba Dive in the warm tropical seas and wonderful beaches. Sri Lanka offers some great Wreck Diving experiences such as the H.M.S Hermes, SS Rangoon, H.M.S Conch, The Earl Of Shaftsbury, H.M.S Diomede, and some Surat Silver Coin wrecks at the Great Basses & Little Basses Lighthouses off Kirinda and Yala. Sri Lanka offers many courses such as PADI Open Water, Advanced, Rescue, Dive Master but yet to offer NAUI, PSAI, TDI, SDI, Nitrox, Trimix, Heliox, Solo Diving Technical Dive Courses or Liveaboard Diving. Shore diving is a possibility. Sri Lanka also is famous for whale migration, dolphin watching and very occasionally for sightings of Tiger Shark, Black Tip Reef Shark, White Tip Reef Shark, Manta Rays. Reef fish such as Moray Eels, Puffer Fish (Fugu), giant turtle, Lionfish, Snappers, Sweetlips, Trevally, Barracuda, Fusiliers, Anemonefish are very very common. Some dive sites are better than Maldives, The H.M.S Hermes is a fantastic and exciting dive in Batticaloa. The H.M.S Vampire which accompanied the H.M.S Hermes is yet to be found. Surat Silver Coin treasure was found by Sir Arthur C. Clarke and Mike Wilson at the Great Basses Ridge. The coins were minted by Aurenzeb, the son of Shah Jehan who built the Mumtas Mahal (Taj Mahal). There are also wrecks of Japanese Zeros in the China Bay and Marble Beach area. The statue of lord ganesh can be seen at the Swami Rock dive in Trincomalee. pigeon Island in Trincomalee is also famous for great diving and snorkeling. This site features original photos and stock photography of the ocean and the under sea. You will also be surprised abou the diving opportunaties in Colombo. Colombo diving and colombo wreck diving is some of the best wrecks in the world |