????The HTMS Kled Kaew (also spelled Klet Kaew or Kled Kaeo) is the premier wreck dive in the Phi Phi Islands. It is not an ancient relic, but a former naval vessel that was purposefully sunk to create a thriving artificial reef. ????
⚓ History & Origins:
• Original Identity: It was built in 1948 in Arendal, Norway, and originally named the RNoMS Norfrost.
• Royal Service: After eight years in the Norwegian Royal Navy, it was sold to the Royal Thai Navy in 1956 and renamed the HTMS Kled Kaew (AKS 861). It served as an auxiliary transport and storage ship for over 50 years.
• The Sinking: On March 19, 2014, it was decommissioned and sunk via controlled explosions. It was a joint project between the Navy and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources to ease the environmental pressure on natural coral reefs.
????️ Location & Structure:
• Coordinates: It sits about 1km east of Phi Phi Leh, specifically between Viking Cave and Pileh Bay.
• Dimensions: The ship is approximately 47 meters long and 7.7 meters wide.
• Condition: It sits almost perfectly upright on a sandy bottom, though it has a slight 10-20 degree list to one side. To ensure diver safety, the Navy stripped the engine, removed doors, and cut large holes in the hull for easy penetration.
???? Diving Stats:
• Depth: The sandy bottom is at 26-27 meters. The main deck sits at about 20 meters, and the top of the tower (the wheelhouse) reaches up to 14-16 meters.
• Experience Level: Usually recommended for Advanced Open Water divers due to the depth and occasional strong currents.
• Visibility: Ranges from 5 to 25 meters depending on the tide and season.
???? Marine Life:
The wreck has been "reclaimed" by nature incredibly fast:
• The Vortex: Large schools of yellow-tail barracuda often circle the mast in a spinning "tornado" formation.
• Residents: You’ll find giant porcupine fish, lionfish, scorpionfish, and pufferfish living in the nooks.
• Macro Heaven: For photographers, the railings and rusted plates are covered in colorful nudibranchs (sea slugs) and flatworms.
• Predators: Schools of trevally and jacks are frequently seen hunting the smaller fish that take refuge in the hull. ????
???? By David Vazquez Farrus
➡️ Follow @U@Uw.ocean.visuals???? Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
???? with @dpm@dpmdiving♀️ @anaor@anaortega
???? @artlist_io
reck #wreckdiving #shipwreck #shipwreckdiscovery #shipwreckexploration #shipwreckhistory #underwater #underwaterwonders #underwaterworld #uwvideo #scubadiving #scubadivingaddicts #scubadivinglife #kohphiphi #thailand
⚓ History & Origins:
• Original Identity: It was built in 1948 in Arendal, Norway, and originally named the RNoMS Norfrost.
• Royal Service: After eight years in the Norwegian Royal Navy, it was sold to the Royal Thai Navy in 1956 and renamed the HTMS Kled Kaew (AKS 861). It served as an auxiliary transport and storage ship for over 50 years.
• The Sinking: On March 19, 2014, it was decommissioned and sunk via controlled explosions. It was a joint project between the Navy and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources to ease the environmental pressure on natural coral reefs.
????️ Location & Structure:
• Coordinates: It sits about 1km east of Phi Phi Leh, specifically between Viking Cave and Pileh Bay.
• Dimensions: The ship is approximately 47 meters long and 7.7 meters wide.
• Condition: It sits almost perfectly upright on a sandy bottom, though it has a slight 10-20 degree list to one side. To ensure diver safety, the Navy stripped the engine, removed doors, and cut large holes in the hull for easy penetration.
???? Diving Stats:
• Depth: The sandy bottom is at 26-27 meters. The main deck sits at about 20 meters, and the top of the tower (the wheelhouse) reaches up to 14-16 meters.
• Experience Level: Usually recommended for Advanced Open Water divers due to the depth and occasional strong currents.
• Visibility: Ranges from 5 to 25 meters depending on the tide and season.
???? Marine Life:
The wreck has been "reclaimed" by nature incredibly fast:
• The Vortex: Large schools of yellow-tail barracuda often circle the mast in a spinning "tornado" formation.
• Residents: You’ll find giant porcupine fish, lionfish, scorpionfish, and pufferfish living in the nooks.
• Macro Heaven: For photographers, the railings and rusted plates are covered in colorful nudibranchs (sea slugs) and flatworms.
• Predators: Schools of trevally and jacks are frequently seen hunting the smaller fish that take refuge in the hull. ????
???? By David Vazquez Farrus
➡️ Follow @U@Uw.ocean.visuals???? Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
???? with @dpm@dpmdiving♀️ @anaor@anaortega
???? @artlist_io
reck #wreckdiving #shipwreck #shipwreckdiscovery #shipwreckexploration #shipwreckhistory #underwater #underwaterwonders #underwaterworld #uwvideo #scubadiving #scubadivingaddicts #scubadivinglife #kohphiphi #thailand
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