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The King Cruiser is a new addition to Phuket’s dive site portfolio. It is a car ferry, built in Japan 30 years ago as a comfortable catamaran-hull passenger cruiser with four decks. The King Cruiser had a length of 87 meters and a breadth of 25 meters, giving it a capacity of nearly 900 passengers. It was being used for sightseeing trips when on the 4^th of May 1997, the ship sunk after a collision with Anemone Reef. The Cruiser was on its normal route from Phuket to the nearby Phi Phi Island.

This is our wreck, a majestic 87 meters-long ferry sunk in 1997 and sitting upright on the bottom in 32 meters of water. Definitely an excellent site for those who enjoy wreck diving and penetration surrounded by large school of fish, and many surprises hiding in the wreck…

photo © Henri Eskenazi

Nowadays, the wreck lies in an upright position in fairly shallow water. The steering house is located about ten meters below the surface. The propellers are at the deepest point and rest at about 32 meters. The most interesting areas are the passenger decks between 15 and 20 meters deep. Certified wreck divers should only attempt penetration.

The wreck itself, is a wonderful opportunity to study the process of marine life forms taking possession of a new part of their environment. Huge shoals of colorful fish already occupy the ship. Groupers guard the holes and crevices. Even the slower movers - shells and corals - have begun to move in.

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ANDAMAN SCUBA

 PHUKET  : 224/10 - Patak Rd - KARON BEACH - PHUKET 83100
Tel / Fax: + 66 76 398 331
KHAO LAK - 69/3 Moo 5 - BANG NIANG BEACH - KHAO LAK 82190
Tel / Fax: + 66 76 486 450

E-mail: info@andamanscuba.com

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Last Update February 19, 2008