Truk Lagoon March/April 2025 Trip Reports 🇫🇲

Dear Team Member,

I hope this message finds you healthy and well. What a newsletter we have for you!

We have just wrapped up our 2025 Truk Lagoon season where 36 CCR, open circuit, and freedivers conducted around 600+ successful dives in the largest concentration of WW2 wrecks on the planet.

We had a fantastic mix of guests joining us this season, bringing a wide range of skills and expertise to share amongst the groups.

We’ve highlighted some of our standout moments below.

RARE EXPLORATION OF THE IJN OITE

We love to keep every trip different, and this round we were fortunate enough to have the conditions to dive the IJN Oite. This rarely visited wreck is generally omitted from liveaboard itineraries as it is on the outer edge of the lagoon, relatively deep and weather dependant.

With no rain or current, and over 100ft visibility, the team took a skiff for the day enjoyed a 3 hour run-time on the Kamikaze-class destroyer.

HERE COME THE GIRLS

We hit a new record on our second Truk Lagoon expedition with no less than nine female tech divers onboard. The trip was headed up by Dirty Dozen Expeditions Manager, Gill Flaherty and special guest Jill Heinerth, who led the charge for the girls.

⁠Here at Dirty Dozen Expedition we believe strongly in a culture of inclusivity, support, and safety - and we are honoured that our trips appeal to all members of the tech diving community.⁠

Join us in 2026 on the dates below:

EXCITING NEW RESEARCH

We were delighted to welcome Sherri Ferguson, a medical researcher with DAN, who spent the trip furthering her research into venous gas emboli (bubbles) returning in circulation to the right side of the heart with freedivers.

Using echocardiogram, she was able to assess decompression stress on our group of Technical Freedivers, led by Kirk Krack.

Stay tuned to hear more about this exciting research project.

iJustine

With nearly 7 million subscribers and more than 1 billion video views across her YouTube channel, iJustine is one of top tech female personalities on YouTube.

She is also an avid diver and joined us on our first expedition of the season, filming a ton of content while here which you can catch on her YouTube channel as it comes out.

We are really excited to see how she can show off this wonderful off the beaten path destination to a mainstream audience!

FROM THE DIVER’S MOUTH

We thrive off our customer experiences. It is what DDE is all about.

#teamdd member Christopher was on board with us, and this is his testimonial:

“With some trepidation, Laura and I booked this trip. Our concerns were: (1) would they cater to open circuit technical divers? (2) would there be a relaxed supportive and noncompetitive environment onboard? and (3) would they have the gases, in the quantities open circuit divers require for safe deep diving. The answer to all three questions is a resounding yes. Have no fear booking with the Dirty Dozen Expeditions (D2E).

It was one of the best chartered technical trips we have been on - ever. I assure you it will be for you as well. They will exceed your expectations. Gill Flaherty of D2E was outstanding running the trip. She ensured we were safe our needs met and squeezed every ounce of fun out of the trip. Jill Heinerth, the expedition lead, was amazing, imparting her knowledge, experience and friendship. The expedition vessel and her crew were very experienced, helpful, and tended to our every need, again a culture of safety.

Lastly the team members on the expedition. We may have been strangers when we arrived, we left as a family with durable friendships. The only regret is the duration between our last trip with D2E and our next one. Hopefully it will not be too long.”

Read more of our customer testimonials HERE with more reports from Solomons, Bikini Atoll, Truk Lagoon, Palau and Galapagos.

GET ME TO TRUK LAGOON

If you are interested in joining us on a dream expedition to Truk Lagoon, check out our 2026 dates below and reserve your spot today!

Book back-to-back trips for $500 off!!

A DRAM OF DIVING ON LOCATION IN TRUK LAGOON

Revered industry personality Jason Meany hosted an on location interviews in Truk with both guests and crew in-depth to find out what it is that makes Truk Lagoon one of the most famous wreck diving destinations in the world. Click on the image above to watch the video.

Great watch if you want to hear more about the experience in Truk Lagoon.

That is it for this newsletter.

We look forward to some great adventures with you in the years to come and as always, don’t forget, if you are feeling lonely, then we are here to chat Dirty

Best,

Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team

Red Sea Rust&Reefs New Dates 🔥

Dear Dirty Dozen Team Member,

We hope this email, as always, finds you well.

This week, we are exploring the Red Sea in-depth, with detailed first-hand recounts of diving the SS Thistlegorm and the Blue Hole. Discover our newest expedition vessel, MV Legends II, and find out why we love diving in the Red Sea.

NEW DATES - RED SEA 2026

Only a few weeks ago, we announced our inaugural Red Sea expedition and spaces sold out within a few days! As such, we are excited to announce a second set of dates in October 2026.

Our second expedition will run from October 16 - 27, 2026.

This bespoke, 12-day/11-night route starts in the northern Red Sea, embarking in Hurghada and exploring the protected Marine Park of Ras Mohamed, before finishing in the renowned technical diving mecca of Dahab.⁠

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

During our 10-night trip we will dive as many of the following sites as possible:

• Wrecks of Abu Nuhas 

• Thistlegorm 

• Rosalie Moller

• Lara Wreck 

• Thomas Canyon 

• Abu Talha / Abu Helal

• Tiger Canyon 

• Blue Hole 

• Tiran 

• Ras Mohamed

• Gulf Fleet

WRECK IN-DEPTH SS THISTLEGORM

A WARTIME TRAGEDY

Built in 1940 for the Albion Shipping Company, the SS Thistlegorm was a cargo steamship tasked with supporting the British war effort during World War II. Measuring 128 meters (419 feet) in length and powered by a triple-expansion steam engine, it was designed to transport essential supplies to the Allied forces.

In June 1941, the vessel embarked on what would be its final voyage, carrying a vast arsenal of military cargo, including rifles, motorcycles, aircraft parts, trucks, and locomotives. As part of Convoy W.11, the ship navigated towards Alexandria, Egypt, but due to a blocked passage through the Suez Canal, it was forced to anchor in the Straits of Gubal.

On the night of October 6, 1941, the SS Thistlegorm was discovered by two German Heinkel He-111 bombers. Mistaking it for a troop transport vessel, the aircraft launched a devastating attack, causing a massive explosion in the aft section of the ship where the ammunition was stored. The ship sank within minutes, taking nine crew members and its cargo to the ocean floor.

REDISCOVERY

The wreck lay undisturbed until 1956, when legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau located it using information from local fishermen. However, it wasn't until the 1990s that the site gained widespread recognition as a premier dive destination.

Today, the SS Thistlegorm rests at a depth of 30 meters (100 feet), offering an unparalleled experience for divers. The ship's superstructure, cargo holds, and remnants of wartime artifacts remain remarkably intact. Long penetrations offer encounters with preserved BSA motorcycles, Bedford trucks, Bren guns, boots, and even an intact locomotive on the seabed.

EXPLORING THE BLUE HOLE IN DAHAB

Aron Arngrímsson, a seasoned technical diver and founder of The Dirty Dozen Expeditions, has a profound connection with Dahab's Blue Hole, one of the world's most renowned dive sites.

In 2010, Aron co-founded Team Blue Immersion in Dahab, alongside Jonas Samuelsson and Erik Brown. Over six years, they guided numerous divers through the depths of the Sinai Peninsula, exploring submerged canyons, the Blue Hole, and the rich marine life of the Red Sea.

The Blue Hole, a 120-meter-deep submarine sinkhole, is famed for its "arch," an overhang starting at 55 meters and descending to the bottom at 130m. Aron has frequently dived this site, often commencing early morning dives at 6 am to experience its serene beauty.

Our new Red Sea itinerary reflects Aron's enduring passion for the region and offers divers an opportunity to experience these iconic sites under his expert guidance.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MV LEGENDS II

Designed to accommodate divers of all levels, our Red Sea expedition vessel boasts spacious cabins, modern amenities, and a dedicated diving deck. Each detail of the vessel reflects our commitment to providing a superior tech diving experience.

From the advanced filling stations for mixed gas and O2 fills to the comfortable relaxation areas, every aspect of the boat is tailored to meet the needs of our guests. This is also the only full-sized dive boat in the Red Sea with a diver lift.

Newly renovated, now MV Legends II has 11 fully refurbished, modern, air-conditioned cabins complete with ensuite bathrooms and ample storage space within every cabin.

ACCOMODATION

Your cabin will be cleaned daily throughout your stay and features include 220v electricity, reading lights, storage cupboards, an ensuite bathroom, fresh towels (for both bathing and dive use) and purpose-made mattresses for maximum comfort.

FOOD

MV Legends offers a choice of international and local cuisine, served buffet style in the indoor, air-conditioned dining area. A range of carbonated soft drinks, fruit juices, black, green, and herbal teas are available, as well as instant and freshly brewed coffee.

A selection of fresh fruit is always on hand, as well as some tasty treats in case you feel peckish in between meal times. You may also select beer, wine, or spirits from the cocktail bar for an additional fee.

That’s it from us for now. We look forward to some great adventures in 2025 and as always, don’t forget, if you are feeling lonely, then we are here to chat Dirty.

Best,

Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team

GLOBAL AVAILABILITY UPDATE 2025🌎

Dear Dirty Dozen Team Member,

We’ve hit the ground running in 2025 and are putting together the final arrangements for our upcoming Truk Lagoon Expeditions.

And it won’t be long before our 2025 Bikini Atoll season gets underway, with 30 lucky divers exploring one of our favorite wreck-diving destinations.

Don’t delay planning your own bucket-list trip as our charters often book up more than two years in advance. Check out our updated availability for 2025 & 2026!

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP OF A LIFETIME NOW!

GALAPAGOS AVAILABILITY

We have some awesome trips lined up in Galápagos Islands over the next couple of years, including an appearance from our favorite special guest, Jill Heinerth.

Check out the following links for more information:

This truly is a once-in-a-lifetime trip as we are one of few operators offering CCR-only and Open Circuit expeditions in the Galápagos Islands.

Watch the video below to experience no bubbles diving in the REAL Jurassic Park!

TRUK LAGOON AVAILABILITY

We have a wide range of options available for your Truk Lagoon adventure in 2026 with our new expedition vessel Odyssey Adventures.

For guests looking for a quick trip away, we have two 7-night options in 2026. Or for guests who prefer a longer trip, book back-to-back weeks for a $500 rebate!

Check out the following links for more information:

Check out our new Truk Lagoon video above featuring 2025 special guest, Nick Hollis.

BIKINI ATOLL AVAILABILITY - LAST CHANCE

All spots in 2026 are SOLD OUT. But we do have a couple of spaces remaining for any last-minute travelers in 2025.

For a limited time only, we are offering a EXCLUSIVE $1,000 rebate for 2025 bookings made before February 15th for our #teamdd members which can be used for onboard sales like sofnolime, o2, helium etc.

Use check out code BIKINI1000 when you make your reservation on our last remaining spots.

Don’t miss out on booking your spot to one of the world’s most iconic wreck destinations and check out the following links for more information:

Check out our new Bikini Atoll video for an idea of expedition life!

RED SEA AVAILABILITY

As the newest destination in our portfolio, our inaugural Red Sea trip is almost fully booked barely a month after launch. As such, we’ve added a NEW DATE so that everyone has a chance to explore this fantastic spot.

CONTACT US NOW TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

We can offer small deposits, flexible payment terms, and friendly booking conditions on all our trips to get you down and dirty with some of the most infamous wrecks on the planet.

That pretty much wraps it from us this week. As usual, we hope you have a lovely weekend ahead but remember, if you feel lonely, we are here to chat Dirty.

Best,

Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team

2024 Wrapped Up 🗞️

Dear #teamdd member,

1 new destination⁠, 4 expeditions, ⁠46 divers⁠, 64 dives⁠, and a whopping 1,792 combined hours underwater⁠!

We’ve long believed that Booking a Dirty Dozen Expedition offers a unique and unparalleled experience, distinct from conventional travel offerings.

Our exclusive expeditions are meticulously crafted to cater to technical divers and dive teams, providing an extraordinary journey evolved from thousands of hours of wreck exploration.

Thank you for putting your trust in us to provide you with another year of unbelievable underwater experiences!

The entirety of 2024 was a year to remember, and there are several events we’d like to call out:
 

• In February, we hosted our inaugural expedition to the Solomon Islands, where a select group of 14 #teamdd divers explored the stunning wrecks of Iron Bottom Sound.⁠

Our summer Bikini Atoll expeditions were a resounding success, with old friends and new faces teaming up to enjoy some of the best dive conditions we’ve ever experienced in the atoll starting with our June Expedition.

In August, we joined forces with Divesoft Rebreathers to take Liberty divers on the trip of a lifetime to Bikini Atoll.

The opportunities for knowledge-sharing and exchange of experiences were invaluable to the Divesoft divers who traveled from around the world to be a part of this event.

We rounded off the year with a fantastic visit to DEMA Las Vegas, where Aron gave two well-received talks on his ‘Top 5 Wrecks in the Pacific Theatre’ and ‘Is This the End for Bikini Atoll?’.

In case you missed them, the talks will soon be available on our YouTube channel.

It’s an honor to have the opportunity to meet and dive with so many awesome #teamdd members and to explore some of the world’s greatest dive sites.

At the end of the day, at Dirty Dozen Expeditions, we get to do what we love the most.  We never forget, for even one moment, that your business, trust, and loyalty must be earned and is a key ingredient in our success.

I hope this holiday season you’re able to pause and reflect (and sneak in a dive), and that you can spend time with those who make you happy. Happy Holidays! And here’s to 2025!

Happy New Year!

Yours sincerely,⁠

Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team

Happy Holidays, #teamdd!🎄⁠

Dear #teamdd member,

As we start to close the chapter on our 8th year of operations, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our partners and team members.

Your unwavering trust and support have been instrumental in making this year not only productive but truly special and fun.⁠

At Dirty Dozen Expeditions, we are committed to delivering unforgettable experiences, and we can't wait to embark on new adventures with you in 2025.

With exciting new destinations and developments on the horizon, we’re dedicated to continuing the legacy of extraordinary journeys that you’ve come to expect from us with the spirit of exploration at the of it.⁠

Thank you for being an essential part of our journey. We’re excited to create more lasting memories together in the coming year.⁠

⁠We wish you a wonderful holiday season to off-gass and be surrounded by your loved ones! And as always remember, if you're ever feeling lonely, we're always here to chat Dirty.⁠

Happy Holidays, #teamdd! ⁠

Yours sincerely,⁠

Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team

New Destination Announcement! 🐪

Dear Dirty Dozen Team Member,

We hope this email, as always, finds you well.

This week, we have an exciting new destination announcement, plus some juicy snippets from the DEMA Show 2024!

RED SEA DEEP WRECKS & BLUE HOLE 2026

We are thrilled to announce a brand new tech diving expedition for #teamdd members. On 5-16 October 2026, we will be running our very first Red Sea live-aboard based expedition.

The Red Sea is often regarded as a recreational playground, however, many of its most famous wrecks are perfectly set up for longer and deeper technical exploration.

Our bespoke, 12-day/11-night route is a classic of the northern Red Sea, starting in Hurghada and exploring the protected Marine Park of Ravs Mohamed, before finishing in the renowned technical diving mecca of Dahab.⁠

This unique itinerary caters to Normoxic Trimix OC/CCR divers but also offers some great opportunities for Hypoxic CCR/OC divers on select dives.

RED SEA WRECKS

The Red Sea is an old stomping ground of Dirty Dozen founder Aron, who ran a technical dive school in Dahab for several years starting in 2010.

Join him to discover some fantastic wrecks and, of course, the iconic Blue Hole and deep fissures of Dahab’s underwater canyon’s.

For our expedition vessel, we have teamed up with old friend Sameh Sokar and MV Legends in the northern Red Sea to bring you this fantastic new trip.⁠⁠

Here are some of the wrecks we plan to explore:

Wrecks of Abu Nuhas

Thistlegorm 

Rosalie Moller

Lara Wreck 

Gulf Fleet

Specifically designed with technical divers in mind, MV Legends boasts spacious cabins, modern amenities, and a dedicated diving deck. Each detail of the vessel reflects our commitment to providing a superior diving experience.

Staying true to our value of superior comfort, we set the limit for 14 expedition members while the vessel is built to host 22 passengers.

From the advanced filling stations for technical diving to the comfortable relaxation areas, every aspect of the boat is tailored to meet the needs of our guests. They are also the only full-sized boat in the Red Sea with a diver lift!⁠

This excellent vessel combined with the operator working alongside Aron in Dahab for years - gives us the confidence and trust that we can deliver another once in a lifetime experience to #teamdd.

UPDATES FROM DEMA SHOW 2024

DEMA Show is over for another year, and yet again we had a fantastic week catching up and ‘talking dirty’ with our friends and colleagues in the industry.

Aron’s presentation on the future of Bikini Atoll was a huge hit, especially as we enjoyed guest appearances from Dave Conlin of the National Park Service Submerged Resources Center and Jon R. D. Salas who used to work at the land-based operation in Bikini in the 2000s.

Don’t worry - if you were not in the audience, we plan to release it on YouTube along with our other presentation: Picking 5 Top WW2 Wrecks in the Pacific Theater.

More exciting updates on Bikini Atoll soon!

That’s it from us for now. We look forward to some great adventures with you in the years to come and as always, don’t forget, if you are feeling lonely, then we are here to chat Dirty.

Best,

Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team

A Wreck in Depth - the Heian Maru

As the largest wreck in Truk Lagoon, the Heian Maru is a spectacular dive with a fascinating history. At 510 feet in length and weighing over 11,600 tons, this luxury passenger liner was requisitioned at the start of WWII by the Imperial Japanese Navy and converted into a submarine tender to support the war effort. It was sunk in 1942 on the second day of Operation Hailstone, and today is one of the most photographed wrecks in the world.

CONSTRUCTION AND EARLY SERVICE

In the bustling shipyards of Osaka, Japan, the Heian Maru began to take shape in the late 1920s. Commissioned by the Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) shipping company, the vessel was one of three sister liners designed for stylish passenger travel and cargo transport across the North Pacific between Yokohama and Seattle. A flagship of speed and style, the Heian Maru was a fast and comfortable ship, reflecting Japan's burgeoning industrial capabilities and maritime aspirations. 

Design and Launch

Laid down on 20 February 1929 and launched on 24 April 1930, the Heian Maru was designed as a passenger-cargo liner, blending opulence with functionality. It was a symbol of Japan's maritime prowess and a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of its shipbuilders. The ship’s twin screw, eight cylinder propulsion system, powered by two steam turbines, enabled it to reach speeds of up to 18 knots, making it one of the fastest vessels of its kind.

The interior of the Heian Maru was equally impressive. It featured luxurious accommodations for passengers, including first-class suites, dining salons, lounges, and recreational areas, ensuring comfort and elegance during long voyages. The vessel also had ample cargo holds, capable of transporting significant quantities of goods, which made it an invaluable asset for NYK's commercial operations.

The Heian Maru embarked on its maiden voyage late in 1930, sailing from Kobe, Japan, to Seattle, Washington. The ship was a colossal presence on the seas and quickly gained a reputation for its reliability, speed, and luxurious amenities.

Early Service and Commercial Success

In its first 10 years of service, the Heian Maru played a crucial role in expanding NYK's reach and enhancing its reputation in the international maritime industry. The ship's regular trans-Pacific voyages were instrumental in facilitating trade and cultural exchange between Japan and the United States during a period of significant economic growth and modernization.

In addition to its passenger services, the Heian Maru was a vital cargo carrier. The ship's large holds could accommodate a wide variety of goods, including manufactured products, raw materials, and perishable items. This versatility, speed, and reliability made the Heian Maru an essential component of NYK's logistics network and were critical factors in its commercial success.

WARTIME SERVICE

As the 1930s progressed and global tensions escalated, the Heian Maru's role began to evolve. The ship's commercial success and strategic importance did not go unnoticed by the Japanese government. With the onset of World War II, the Heian Maru's luxurious passenger service would come to an end and she was the last Japanese ship to visit Seattle in August 1941 before war broke out several months later.

Requisition and Refit

In October 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy requisitioned the Heian Maru with the aim of converting it into a submarine tender to support wartime operations. The ship’s luxurious fittings and promenade were stripped out to make way for the installation of repair facilities, storage spaces for torpedoes, fuel, provisions, and spare parts, and additional quarters to house submarine crews, providing a place to rest and recuperate between missions. To complete the refit, it was armed with four 6-inch guns and and two machine guns.

Equipped with workshops and specialized equipment, the Heian Maru’s primary role was to perform maintenance and repairs on submarines, and as such the ship traveled to various locations, providing logistical support, maintenance, and resupply services to submarines engaged in combat operations.

The Start of Wartime Service

Initially assigned to the Sixth Fleet, the Heian Maru’s first role was to rearm the infamous Japanese I-Boats operating in the waters around Hawaii. In February 1942, the ship had its first taste of battle near Kwajalein, Marshall Islands. US Naval planes from the USS Enterprise bombed and sank a number of Japanese vessels in the area, however, the Heian Maru escaped unscathed.

By the summer of 1942, Japanese operations in Hawaii had drawn to a close as the battle theater moved further west. Taking advantage of her impressive size and speed, the Heian Maru was reassigned to New Guinea and the Solomon Islands to transfer as many troops as quickly as possible to the region. The ship spent the remainder of 1942 running troops and supplies between Japan and Rabaul, PNG before experiencing her next brush with battle at Simpson Harbor, Rabaul on New Year’s Day 1943. However, despite two days of attacks from American B-17 and B-24 bombers, the massive ship remained at anchor in the harbor, amazingly unscathed.

With the Allied advance towards the Solomons Islands and New Guinea, the Heian Maru was moved to the relative safety of Truk Lagoon where it spent the first part of 1943. It was then deployed, along with the destroyer Fumitzuki, back to the Northern Pacific to assist with the evacuation of Japanese troops from the Aleutian Islands. During the summer of 1943, the Heian Maru returned to some of her former glory, serving as the headquarters for Rear Admiral Koda, the commander in chief of the evacuation operation. 

With ever-increasing tensions in the South Pacific, Japanese troops were desperately needed on the front line and the Heian Maru was the obvious choice to transport them. In September 1943, it joined a large convoy heading for Shanghai where 2,000 soldiers and a cargo of torpedoes embarked for the journey south. The convoy entered Truk Lagoon on 2 October 1943, torpedoes were offloaded, and the Heian Maru was underway again the following day, bows pointed towards Rabaul.

A Brief Reprise

After two years of wartime service, the Heian Maru was badly in need of an update to its meager weaponry. At the end of October 1943, it returned to Japan for several weeks of improvements which included fitting anti-aircraft machine guns and two huge 12-centimeter multipurpose guns. A sonar and depth charge rack were installed to manage the threat of submarine attack and an additional 242 crew were embarked to manage these new armaments.

The ship then returned to Truk Lagoon, and despite a brief encounter with the American submarine, USS Dace, arrived unscathed and anchored in the sheltered waters of the Sixth Fleet Anchorage. For the next few months, the Heian Maru returned to its original role as a submarine tender, supporting and re-arming the submarine fleet hunting American ships in the South Pacific. Its presence ensured that submarines could continue their missions without having to return to port for resupply or repairs.

Final Days

On 17 February 1944, Operation Hailstone commenced with a massive Allied air and sea attack on the Japanese fleet anchored in Truk Lagoon. That day, the Heian Maru was anchored next to its sister ship, the Hikawa Maru, which had been converted into a hospital ship for the war. The Heian Maru was also hosting Vice Admiral Takagi, and the staff of the Sixth Fleet. 

The ship’s crew and visitors could only watch on as the initial air battle raged overhead, but it wasn’t long before American Hellcat fighters turned their attention to the ships in the lagoon below. Despite numerous passes with their M2 .50 caliber guns blazing, the fighters inflicted minimal damage on the Heian Maru and finally returned to base. However, next to appear were the bombers, including a pair of SB2C Helldivers from the USS Bunker Hill. Setting their sights on the massive hulk of the Heian Maru, the bombers released their 1,000-pound bombs, hitting the water around the ship but, amazingly, missing a direct hit. One of the explosions was powerful enough to damage the No. 6 hold and the prop. shaft, and fires broke out around the ship’s stern. Overnight, the crew brought these fires under control and started to unload the cargo of torpedoes in a desperate attempt to mitigate severe damage from further attacks.

The Final Stand

The following day would be the final in the history of the Heian Maru. Unable to offload the entire cargo of torpedoes overnight, the exhausted crew of the ship were given no reprieve as a flight of SBD Dauntless bombers appeared over the lagoon at dawn on 18 February. With their targets firmly set on the Heian Maru, the bombers dropped their 1,000-pound bombs sending shockwaves through the ship’s superstructure. Two bombs rocketed into the midships area above the engine room and fierce fires erupted and spread quickly. For the next two hours, the crew fought to save the ship from the fires raging through the first class cabin area towards the bridge. 

It wasn’t long before another flight of bombers arrived with three of them focusing their efforts on the now severely hampered Heian Maru. More 1,000-pound bombs were released onto the bow of the ship but, miraculously, the remaining torpedoes in the forward No 1. hold did not detonate. By now, the entire ship was engulfed in flames, however, she remained afloat despite being under near-constant attack. With the realization that his ship was not going to survive the day, the captain ordered his crew to abandon ship and evacuate to the nearby submarine base on Dublon Island. 

The fatal blow came later in the day when TBF Avenger bombers swept over the lagoon to release their torpedoes on any ships still floating in the lagoon. Just after 2pm, the crew watched on as the huge hulk of the Heian Maru rolled to port and slipped to its final resting place on the bottom of Truk Lagoon.

EXPLORING THE WRECK

A testament to the quality of its build, the wreck of the Heian Maru is remarkably well-preserved, with much of its structure still intact. Resting on its port side in 135 feet of water, the sheer size of this ship requires several dives to explore it in full. One of the most striking features of the Heian Maru is the presence of numerous artifacts, including torpedoes, periscopes, and parts of submarine engines, which provide a tangible connection to its wartime role. The hull is encrusted with coral and marine life, creating a vibrant underwater ecosystem that contrasts with the silent steel remains.

Bow to Stern

Descending over the bow, the sheer size and scale of the Heian Maru makes it easily visible, even in the lowest light. The first striking feature of the wreck is the huge lettering in both Romanized and Kanji characters, stating the ship’s name in large bold letters ‘HEIAN MARU’.

Heading towards the stern on the outside of the wreck, the first hold is No.1 hold where the 53.3-centimeter torpedoes sit, still intact, after so many years. There are also a number of 12-centimeter shells stacked ready for use on the gun deck.

Continuing on towards the stern, divers reach the upper superstructure area which shows evidence of severe fire damage, and the companionway on the promenade deck where several submarine periscopes are lying around. The next area of interest is the bridge, however, not much remains here except for some broken stacks of china. Behind the bridge, the first area of bomb damage is evident, now a huge mass of twisted and damaged metal. Looking below, the outline of the funnel can be seen resting against the sand. 

The engine room is located midships and is absolutely massive with plenty of room for penetration. Squeezing in between the gangways, divers can easily spot the two huge diesel engines, still in the original fixings. Surprisingly, most of the pipework, valves, wheels, and gauges are all still in situ, surrounded by a maze of twisted metalwork.

Further towards the stern are more cargo holds and observant explorers might spot the intact medical kit. Finally, the ship’s name is once again visible above its two massive propellers. The upper-most propellor retained its hub while the lower one fell off. The rudder is also visible.

Marine Life

The wreck of the Heian Maru has become a thriving artificial reef, attracting a diverse array of marine life. Schools of tropical fish, including butterflyfish, angelfish, and barracuda, are commonly seen darting around the wreck. Macro enthusiasts will appreciate the abundance of nudibranchs, shrimp, and other small creatures that have made the ship their home.

Larger marine species, such as reef sharks and rays, are also frequent visitors to the wreck site. The combination of historical artifacts and abundant marine life makes diving the Heian Maru a multifaceted experience, appealing to both history buffs and marine biologists alike.

DIVE DEEPER

The Heian Maru is one of the most frequently requested wrecks on Dirty Dozen Expedition’s Truk lagoon itinerary. As one of the shallower wrecks in the lagoon, she is often dived early on in the trip with at least one further dive later on in the trip.

Liveaboard dives normally tie up to a midships mooring and we use a deco-bar for the 10 and 20-feet stops for added comfort. Runtime is usually around 120 minutes on CCR and 100 minutes on OC.

Find out more about joining a Dirty Dozen expedition and diving the Heian Maru, as well as the other spectacular wrecks of Truk Lagoon on our website or drop us an email at info@thedirtydozen.org.

A Wreck in Depth - the USS Anderson

The USS Anderson (DD-411) was a Sims-class destroyer that served the United States Navy during World War II. Named after Rear Admiral Edwin Alexander Anderson, the ship played a significant role in several key naval battles. The Anderson survived the war but met its final end as part of Operation Crossroads in Bikini Atoll. Today, it is one of the more intact wrecks in Bikini and is a key dive on any expedition.

OPERATION CROSSROADS

Operation Crossroads At the end of WWI, the Japanese took over administration of the Marshall Islands and, in anticipation of WWII, increased their military presence in the islands. Due to its strategic location, Kwajalein Atoll in particular became a key Japanese outpost. However, towards the end of WWII in February 1944, American forces took Kwajalein and the Marshall Islands by force.

In December 1945, President Harry Truman informed the US Forces that nuclear weapon testing would be undertaken “to determine the effect of atomic bombs on American warships. Unluckily for Bikini, its isolation meant it was chosen as the Operation Crossroads test site.

The US testing program advanced swiftly, culminating in 95 target ships placed in Bikini’s lagoon. These targets were to be hit with two rounds of Fat Man plutonium implosion weapons, the same type of nuclear bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki.

The first blast, Able, was dropped from a B-29 aircraft and detonated at an altitude of 158m/518ft at 9 am on the first of July, 1946. The bomb was intended to hit the USS Nevada battleship, however, it missed its target and instead sank the USS Gilham, USS Carlisle, USS Lamson, IJN Sakawa, and the USS Anderson.

The US testing program advanced swiftly, culminating in 95 target ships placed in Bikini’s lagoon. These targets were to be hit with two rounds of Fat Man plutonium implosion weapons, the same type of nuclear bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki.

The first blast, Able, was dropped from a B-29 aircraft and detonated at an altitude of 158m/518ft at 9 am on the first of July, 1946. The bomb was intended to hit the USS Nevada battleship, however, it missed its target and instead sank the USS Gilham, USS Carlisle, USS Lamson, IJN Sakawa, and the USS Anderson.

Construction and Early Service

The USS Anderson was constructed at the Boston Navy Yard, with its keel laid down on November 15, 1937. It was launched on February 4, 1939, and commissioned on May 19, 1939. The ship was part of the Sims-class destroyers, a group of 12 ships known for their powerful armaments and advanced engineering design. It was armed with five 5-inch guns, four .50 caliber machine guns, eight 21-inch torpedo tubes and two depth charge tracks.

During its early years, the Anderson operated primarily in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, performing routine patrols and training exercises. However, with the advent of World War II, the ship’s role expanded significantly.

World War II Service

The USS Anderson spent the majority of WWII in the Pacific, initially operating out of Pearl Harbour in 1940, before returning to San Diego and then San Pedro for refit at the end of the year. In 1941 it was reassigned to the Atlantic for a brief spell, taking part in the Atlantic Neutrality Patrols before being assigned to Task Force 15. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 saw the USS Anderson returning to the States where her .50-caliber machine guns were replaced with 20mm anti-aircraft guns. In early 1942, she traveled to Hawaii and joined the aircraft carrier Task Force 17, spending the remainder of WWII in the Pacific Theatre.

The USS Anderson’s wartime service is notable for its participation in several major battles and operations, earning the ship a total of 10 battle stars. The destroyer was involved in convoy escort duties, anti-submarine warfare, and shore bombardments. One of its most distinguished moments came during the Battle of Midway in June 1942 where the Anderson played a crucial role in screening aircraft carriers and rescuing survivors from the sinking USS Yorktown.

Following Midway, the Anderson continued to serve valiantly in the Pacific Theater. It took part in the Guadalcanal Campaign, the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, and the Aleutian Islands Campaign, among others. Throughout the war she survived multiple attacks by Japanese airplanes including being hit by a Japanese kamikaze in November 1944.

Post-War duties

After the conclusion of World War II, the fate of many naval vessels, including the USS Anderson, was uncertain. Decommissioned in July 1946, the ship was earmarked for retention in an inactive status and selected to participate in Operation Crossroads to investigate the effects of nuclear explosions on naval ships, equipment, and materials. Two days after Christmas, she got underway for Hawaiian waters and then reached her ultimate destination on 30 May 1946 where she was positioned as a target for the experimental tests to which she would be subjected.

On July 1, 1946, test Able sank the USS Anderson, and its name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 25 September 1946.

Exploring the Wreck

The wreck of the USS Anderson now lies at the bottom of Bikini Lagoon, part of a ghostly fleet of ships that bear witness to the dawn of the nuclear age. Still reasonably intact, it sits on its port side on the sand at 170 ft/52 m. Although there is no real opportunity for safe penetration, the outside of the wreck yields a host of fascinating military equipment.

Descending down the mooring line, divers land on the starboard propeller and carry on down towards the port propeller at 165 ft/50 m. The props are still both in good condition and are covered in straggly soft corals, unique to this wreck. Following the deckline from stern to bow, the entire 350 ft/107 m wreck can be covered in a single dive, and there is plenty to discover. Highlights include the 5-inch guns, the bridge, torpedo rails, depth charges and anti-aircraft guns. The torpedo tubes, in particular, make for some great photo opportunities

The legacy of the USS Anderson is multifaceted. It is a symbol of wartime valor, having served with distinction during World War II. Its participation in Operation Crossroads marks a pivotal moment in naval and nuclear history, illustrating the profound and destructive power of nuclear weapons.

Dive Deeper

Welcome to the world of Dirty Dozen Expeditions

The USS Anderson is one of the most frequently requested wrecks on Dirty Dozen Expedition’s Bikini Atoll itinerary. As one of the non-penetration doves, she is normally reserved for a lighter day in the trip when divers request an easier day.

Liveaboard dives normally tie up to the stern mooring and we use a deco-bar for the 10 and 20-feet stops for added comfort. Runtime is usually around 120 minutes on CCR and 100 minutes on OC.

Find out more about joining a Dirty Dozen expedition and diving the USS Anderson, as well as the other spectacular wrecks of Bikini Atoll on our website or drop us an email at info@thedirtydozen.org.

YouTube Premiere 🎥, DEMA 2024 and updated Bikini Atoll availability ☢️

Dear Dirty Dozen Team Member,

We hope this email as always finds you well.

Check out our latest Wreck in Depth article, we are confirmed for DEMA 2024, and there is a fresh update to our availability to Bikini Atoll until end of 2026 after the announced closure.

Let’s get to it!

DEMA 2024 LAS VEGAS

If you’re planning to attend this year’s DEMA in Vegas on November 19-22, don’t forget to pop past and say ‘Hello’! We will be at booth 8089, in the Technical Diving Resource Center.

Make sure to stop by and chat about exploration diving in Truk Lagoon, Bikini Atoll, Palau, Solomon & Galápagos Islands. You can book an appointment by clicking the link here.

Aron will also be presenting on Tuesday and Thursday at 2 pm - stay tuned for a sneak peek at his presentations in our next Newsletter!

DEMA 2023 PRESENTATION RECORDINGS YT PREMIERE

Our 2 presentations from DEMA 2023 “Pacific Theater - WW2 Wrecks in 8K” and “The Darkest Hours - Six hour struggle to get out of an upside down wreck” are both edited and ready to be published.

We have made the first presentation “WW2 wrecks in 8K” public on our YouTube channel and you can watch the presentation by clicking the link above.

WRECK IN DEPTH

Our Wreck in Depth series continues with a detailed look at Bikini Atoll favorite, the USS Anderson.

USS ANDERSON

The USS Anderson (DD-411) was a Sims-class destroyer that served the United States Navy during World War II. Named after Rear Admiral Edwin Alexander Anderson, the ship played a significant role in several key naval battles.

The Anderson survived the war but met its end as part of Operation Crossroads in Bikini Atoll. Today, it is one of the more intact wrecks in Bikini and is a key dive on any of our expeditions.

At the end of WWI, the Japanese took over the administration of the Marshall Islands and, in anticipation of WWII, increased their military presence in the islands. Due to its strategic location, Kwajalein Atoll in particular became a key Japanese outpost. However, towards the end of WWII in February 1944, American forces took Kwajalein and the Marshall Islands by force. 

In December 1945, President Harry Truman informed the US Forces that nuclear weapon testing would be undertaken “to determine the effect of atomic bombs on American warships. Unluckily for Bikini, its isolation meant it was chosen as the Operation Crossroads test site.

The US testing program advanced swiftly, culminating in 95 target ships placed in Bikini’s lagoon. These targets were to be hit with two rounds of Fat Man plutonium implosion weapons, the same type of nuclear bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki. 

The first blast, Able, was dropped from a B-29 aircraft and detonated at an altitude of 158m/518ft at 9 am on the first of July, 1946. The bomb was intended to hit the USS Nevada battleship, however, it missed its target and instead sank the USS Gilham, USS Carlisle, USS Lamson, IJN Sakawa, and the USS Anderson.

Read the full Wreck in Depth article in our latest Dirty Dozen Expeditions blog.

DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO DIVE BIKINI ATOLL

In a previous newsletter we announced that expeditions to Bikini Atoll will be ending in 2026. As such, our existing charters are almost fully booked so we have added extra dates in August 2026 which already are almost sold out now.

Join Mark Powell and #teamdd for your last chance to explore one of the world’s most iconic ship graveyards. Click the photo above to find out more!

Our overall Bikini Atoll availability is as follows:

June 2025 - SOLD OUT - Join waitlist

September 2025 - 2 spots available

June 2026 - 6 spots available

August 2026 - 2 spots available

September 2026 - 2 spots available

Click on this link to learn more about the dates/trip and reserve your spot to Bikini Atoll now before it is too late!

That’s it from us for now. We look forward to some great adventures with you in the years to come and as always, don’t forget, if you are feeling lonely, then we are here to chat Dirty.

Best,

Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team

Bikini Atoll August 2024 Trip Report🇲🇭

Dear Team Member,

I hope this message finds you healthy and well. What a newsletter we have for you!

We have just wrapped up our last Bikini Atoll expedition of 2024 where 16 CCR divers conducted around 250 successful CCR dives/500 logged hours on the historic wrecks of the nuclear ghost fleet.

3/4 of the team were Divesoft divers diving the Liberty. Jakub Slama from Divesoft led the expedition with our own Aron Arngrimsson.

With the team landing in Kwajalein in high spirits a couple days before departure - we knew this was going to be a fantastic trip.

Check out Dirty Dozen Expeditions Founder, and Expedition Leader, Aron Arngrimsson’s digital diary of the trip:

BIKINI AUGUST 2024 EXPEDITION LOG

8-10 August 2024

All guests have arrived and are onboard. Boat orientation of our expedition vessel is finished and the crew and #teamdd has already started setting up their rebreathers before steaming out for 30 hours to Bikini Atoll.

Our wreck schedule for the trip was as follows:

8-9 August - Travel to Bikini

10 August - AM USS Saratoga/PM USS Saratoga

11 August - AM USS Saratoga/PM USS Anderson

12 August - AM USS Saratoga/PM IJN Nagato

13 August - AM IJN Nagato/PM Offgassing Beach Barbecue on Bikini

14 August - AM USS Apogon/PM USS Lamson

15 August - AM IJN Nagato/PM USS Saratoga

16 August - AM USS Saratoga/ PM USS Arkansas

17 August - Travel to Kwajalein (Ebeye Harbour)

18 August - AM Prinz Eugen/PM Prinz Eugen

19 August - Disembarkation

10-11 August

LIVE FROM BIKINI ATOLL - USS SARATOGA⁠

The morning was spent doing expedition safety and diving procedures briefing followed by a check-out dive on none other than the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga. ⁠

By the time we surfaced from our first dive - it was time to celebrate Jakub Slama’s 40th birthday! It meant the world to us that he wanted to spend it with his Divesoft Liberty Divers Club and Dirty Dozen Expeditions family :).

After the shake up dive team members started to get to know the main lines of the USS Saratoga as we decided to spend our first day and a half there penetrating the wreck.

11-12 August

LIVE FROM BIKINI ATOLL - IJN NAGATO AND USS ANDERSON

The mornings were spent once again on USS Saratoga with our team exploring the entire wreck from the outside and.. inside!⁠

⁠The following dives were a switch to the famous destroyer USS Anderson and IJN Nagato. The reason for this scheduling is that we wanted the team to familiarize themselves on Nagato before a morning dive with better light (for photography).

USS Anderson has great visibilty in afternoon. USS Saratoga is best enjoyed in mornings where the light/visibility on the outside (and inside… silt!) is better.

13 August 2024

LIVE FROM BIKINI ATOLL - BIKINI ISLAND

Halfway through the trip we do a land exploration tour mixed with a beachside barbecue in the afternoon at the halfway point of the trip. It fits perfectly as a a half day offgassing break after all the deep dives.

We did our beachside barbecue on the island itself and then wrap up our last 6 dives in Bikini. August 17 the 30-hour crossing back to Kwajalein Atoll begins and we have our last 2 dives on none other than SMS Prinz Eugen.⁠

12-13 August 2024

LIVE FROM BIKINI - IJN NAGATO ⁠- Jakub Slama

Today we planned a photoshoot with 2 Liberty divers on scooters flying past the stern of IJN Nagato. This is a shot I have had in mind for a very long time and many things had to align for this to happen. However, today I got the opportunity to take it and this is the result.

This is the hull of IJN Nagato with its 4 propellers and 2 rudders visible with 2 Liberty divers having the dive of their lives.

14-17 August 2024

LIVE FROM BIKINI - USS APOGON AND USS LAMSON⁠

⁠The night before the team watched the movie "Greyhound" after dinner which has nautical warfare featuring a destroyer and submarine. This was not accidental - as the following morning we would be diving a Balao-class submarine and Mahan-class destroyer in the lagoon of Bikini Atoll.⁠

The team additionally did 3 more dives on USS Saratoga and 1 on IJN Nagato. USS Arkansas was voted out of the schedule to give more time to explore the USS Saratoga on the inside.

18 August 2024

LIVE FROM BIKINI ATOLL - SMS PRINZ EUGEN

Spectacular last day on the SMS Prinz Eugen in Kwajalein Atoll as we wrap up the final Dirty Dozen Expeditions Bikini Atoll trip of the 2024 season! In the morning we dove a Japanese Merchant vessel due to strong winds, but were able to return for Prinz Eugen in the afternoon.

Teams explored the outside but also the new penetration lines we installed last year with Mark Powell and James Draker.

Now we have some sunset drinks, pack, and start the long journey home.

FROM THE DIVER’S MOUTH

We thrive off our customer experiences. It is what DDE is all about.

#teamdd member Dan Sun was on board with us, and this is her testimonial:

“The year 2024 was an amazing year for me as a diver. The highlight was my trip to Bikini Atoll with the Dirty Dozen Expeditions.⁠

I signed up for the trip a year in advance through the Liberty Diver's Club, hoping to meet fellow Liberty CCR divers from around the world. As a newcomer to the Pacific Islands, I underestimated the challenge of sorting out the logistics and necessary travel documents. With the help of the Dirty Dozen, especially Gill, I managed to navigate through it all, and the rest of the journey went smoothly.⁠

Even though I was the only female diver on the trip, signing up solo, I felt welcomed and supported by the other guests on the boat, especially the members of the Liberty Diver's Club.⁠

I was particularly impressed by the relaxed yet safety-conscious environment created by Aron and Jacob. Their teamwork put smiles on the faces of all the guests. A "SPLASH" check was carried out before every single dive. Divers were reminded frequently of fatigue and complacency, which was inevitable for a long trip like this. As a dive team, we were very conservative with our Gradient Factor and sorb use.⁠

Additionally, the iconic photos they captured of us elevated the experience, which wouldn't be possible in a DIY trip.⁠

I'm already looking forward to my next expedition with Dirty Dozen Expeditions, knowing that they provide top-notch service and I'm sure to make more life-long friends on board.”⁠

Dan Sun - Founder of Dan Sun Titanium - www.dansuntitanium.com

Read more of our customer testimonials now with more reports from Solomons, Bikini Atoll, Truk Lagoon and Galapagos.

GET ME TO BIKINI ATOLL

If you are interested in joining us on a dream expedition to Bikini Atoll, check out our 2025 and 2026 dates below and reserve your spot today!

Aron, Mark Powell and Jakub Slama from Divesoft did an hour YouTube video about diving in Bikini on the island itself last year in 2023. Must-watch if you are considering going to Bikini Atoll. Click on the image above to watch! Aron and Jakub filmed another land based exploration of the atoll which will be released soon on our YouTube channel.

That is it for this newsletter.

We look forward to some great adventures with you in the years to come and as always, don’t forget, if you are feeling lonely, then we are here to chat Dirty

Best,

Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team

BIKINI ATOLL CLOSING IN 2027?! 😮

Dear Dirty Dozen Team Member,

We hope this message finds you healthy and well. This week we bring you exclusive news on the future of diving in Bikini Atoll. Read on to find out more.

As I’m sure most of you are aware, the logistical costs of running an expedition vessel in Bikini Atoll are far higher than other more accessible destinations. As such, the vessel we use, and the only vessel that offers diving in Bikini Atoll, will be reducing the number of Bikini charters it offers.

As of today, we have secured several charter dates through until the end of 2026. However, with confirmation that no 2027 trips will be offered, and no additional dates being confirmed beyond 2027 as of yet, this may be the last chance for many divers to visit Bikini Atoll for a while.

We are hopeful that diving options for Bikini Atoll will resume at some point, however, accessing this remote destination has always been a challenge. From 1995, the shore-based dive resort at Bikini struggled to combat increasing costs and challenging logistics, finally closing its doors in 2008.

The following email was writen by the Dive Center Manager around the time the land based dive center was closed in 2008.

Dear All,
It is with a very heavy heart that I write this email.
After 13 great-though-challenging years as one of the premier wreck diving and fishing tourism sites in the Pacific, Bikini Atoll will be closed to tourists as of June 11, 2008 (the last week of customers will be June 4-11).

We have made this decision due to the situation of our local airline, Air Marshalls, and also because of the rapid rise in the world price of fuel, which has made all of our operating expenses just skyrocket beyond our means.

In August of this year our local government, during our annual budget meeting, will decide whether or not we can afford to open Bikini Atoll in 2009. At this point in time, given the challenges our trust fund is facing because of the recent poor performance of the US stock market and a recession-bound US economy, the prospect of opening next year appears very doubtful. This news has been very hard on the Bikinian leaders and our people as all of the proceeds from the operation have gone toward purchasing food for our communities on Kili Island, Ejit Island and Majuro Atoll.

We would like to take this time to thank our staff on Bikini Atoll for being patient over the last 7 months that saw our operation have only one week of visitors, and a one week visit by Paul Allen's mega-yacht, MY Octopus. We would also like to thank all of the people and organizations over the years that have helped support us in this truly amazing endeavor that opened up a fantastic diving and fishing destination for the world.

Hopefully, sometime in the future, there will be in an email in your inbox saying that Bikini Atoll has been reopened for tourists. Until then, God bless.

It would be another 10 years before divers were able to visit Bikini Atoll again with a stable yearly schedule, with our previous expedition vessel making the trip back in 2018.  Dirty Dozen founder, Aron Arngrimsson, lead one of the inaugural expeditions.

We are heartbroken that the future of diving in this awesome destination is, once again, full of uncertainty. For those of you who have Bikini Atoll on your bucket list, now is the time to act. Book your trip and make sure you get in on the action before it’s too late.

GET ME TO BIKINI ATOLL

The following dates still have spaces on our calendar until end of 2026 season. You still have a chance to get your spot to dive one of the best wreck diving destinations on the planet.

CLICK ON A DATE BELOW TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION AND RESERVE YOUR SPOT

That is it for this newsletter.

We look forward to some great adventures with you in the years to come and as always, don’t forget, if you are feeling lonely, then we are here to chat Dirty

Best,

Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team

Bikini June 2024 Trip Report! 🇲🇭

Dear Team Member,

I hope this message finds you healthy and well. What a newsletter we have for you!

We have just wrapped up our first Bikini Atoll expedition of 2024 where 8 CCR divers conducted over 150 successful CCR dives on the historic wrecks of the nuclear ghost fleet.

Check out Dirty Dozen Expeditions Founder, and Expedition Leader, Aron Arngrimsson’s digital diary of the trip:

BIKINI JUNE 2024 EXPEDITION LOG

27 June 2024

All guests have arrived and are onboard. Boat orientation of our expedition vessel Pacific Master is finished and the crew and #teamdd is ready to kick off the #dirtydozen exploration season in Bikini Atoll! ⁠

Vibe is already fantastic within the team - this is going to be a great trip! ⁠

⁠29 June 2024

LIVE FROM BIKINI ATOLL - USS SARATOGA⁠

⁠Aron writing here from Bikini Atoll after our first day of our Bikini Atoll 2024 season. The morning was spent doing expedition safety and diving procedures briefing followed by a check-out dive on none other than the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga. ⁠

Honestly - the team could not have asked for better conditions. The visibility was simply breathtaking. We have been diving Bikini Atoll since 2017 and I am failing to remember a day like we had today. You could see the planes that got blown off the flight deck on the bottom at 52m clear as day. ⁠

Coming out of the water I was shouting and screaming of joy almost eliciting concern from the team... is he crazy? What's the big deal? ⁠

⁠Well... internet - can you please tell them how lucky they are!!⁠

30 June 2024

LIVE FROM BIKINI ATOLL - USS ANDERSON⁠

Aron writing here from Bikini Atoll after our second day of our Bikini Atoll 2024 season. The morning was spent once again with incredible visibility on USS Saratoga with our team exploring the entire wreck from the outside and.. inside!⁠

⁠The afternoon dive was a switch to the famous destroyer USS Anderson which was constantly on the front line of battle and served in the Solomons, Tarawa, Midway, Guadalcanal, and the Coral Sea before being blown up by a nuclear bomb in Bikini Atoll. The photos in this album are all from this wreck. ⁠

2 July 2024

LIVE FROM BIKINI - IJN NAGATO ⁠

⁠Today the team went down to the bottom of IJN Nagato at the seabed of Bikini Atoll and did a team photoshoot by the 16" guns at the stern.⁠

⁠Photographing 10+ people in a location at 50m+ requires solid planning, teamwork, and execution. The photographer and expedition leader needs to plant 100,000+ lumens around the guns without silting the frame while the entire team splashes in the water with very short intervals to arrive at the bottom once he's ready.⁠

⁠Once the shoot begins - one team member at a time approaches the guns from behind and swims through them toward the photographer very gently - a lot harder than it sounds! There's an extensive modeling briefing beforehand to make sure we can get the best picture possible of each team member by the end of the dive.⁠⁠

With proper planning and execution, we managed to do everyone in one dive and Aron only had a 120-minute runtime. Success! The photo below is Didier with his wonderfully colored loop to color up this awesome image.⁠

3 July 2024

LIVE FROM BIKINI - USS APOGON AND USS LAMSON⁠

⁠The night before the team watched the movie "Greyhound" after dinner which has nautical warfare featuring a destroyer and submarine. This was not accidental - as the following morning we would be diving a Balao-class submarine and Mahan-class destroyer in the lagoon of Bikini Atoll.⁠

These were easier dives with no penetration so it was a relaxed day. Aron and crew member Tom went on photography dives, where Tom got a chance to learn to shoot advanced wreck photography.

⁠Wreck photography is enjoyable at the worst of conditions - but in this vis. it truly is so much fun and we have had a blast working on advanced lighting techniques, constructing team-oriented shots, and having great memories to bring home at the end of it all!⁠

5 July 2024

LIVE FROM BIKINI ATOLL - BIKINI ISLAND

Our time in Bikini is coming to an end for this team. We did our beachside barbecue on the island itself and wrapped up our last dives. Now the 30-hour crossing back to Kwajalein Atoll begins and we have our last 2 dives on none other than SMS Prinz Eugen.⁠

7 July 2024

LIVE FROM BIKINI ATOLL - SMS PRINZ EUGEN

Spectacular last day on the SMS Prinz Eugen in Kwajalein Atoll as we wrap up the first Dirty Dozen Expeditions Bikini Atoll trip of the season!

Teams explored the outside but also the new penetration lines we installed last year with Mark Powell and James Draker.

⁠The camaraderie, the wonderful conditions, and the excellent crew have truly made this an exceptional trip. We return back in 4 weeks for our next expedition of the season with Divesoft.

Now we have some sunset drinks, pack, and start the long journey home.

FROM THE DIVER’S MOUTH

The sheer size and scale of the WWII wrecks is breathtaking, and a little tricky to put into words. We thrive off our customer experiences. It is what DDE is all about.

#teamdd member Alejandro Dutto from the well-known club International Scuba Divers Club was on board with us, and this is his testimonial

“Every Journey Begins with a Single Step’, as the quote goes, resonates deeply with me now that my journey to the Bikini Atoll wrecks has come to an end. Why does it linger in my thoughts? After 20 years of diving and a passionate interest in World War II history, I've finally fulfilled a once-in-a-lifetime trip that perfectly combines my passions: scuba diving, wrecks, and WWII history.

Achieving this wasn't an overnight endeavor. It required countless hours of training and practice, complemented by impeccable logistics from Dirty Dozen Expeditions, resulting in undeniable success.

Returning to the quote, diving the Bikini Atoll wrecks held profound meaning for me. Every moment spent diving and training culminated in this unforgettable experience. I must stress the importance of thorough preparation for this trip. When the logistics are well-managed and all essentials like gases and safety measures are meticulously provided, it makes a world of difference. Dirty Dozen ensured our expedition was well-supported, crucial given our remote location—11 days isolated, 30 hours from the nearest inhabited land. Aron and his team made safety their priority, without overlooking comfort and everyone having the greatest time, which was evident throughout.

Lastly, I'll touch briefly on the diving itself, an experience that defies description and must be personally witnessed to be truly appreciated! We were fortunate to encounter optimal conditions while exploring this underwater museum, a privilege few have had worldwide. The wrecks, marine life, historical remnants, all intertwined to create an unforgettable adventure.

Now, onto the next step in my journey with Dirty Dozen Expeditions… Palau? Solomons? Narvik?”

Alejandro Dutto - International Scuba Divers Club - Bikini Atoll June 2024

Read more of our customer testimonials now with more reports from Solomons, Bikini Atoll, Truk Lagoon and Galapagos.

GET ME TO BIKINI ATOLL

If you are interested in joining us on a dream expedition to Bikini Atoll, check out our 2025 and 2026 dates below and reserve your spot today!

That is it for this newsletter.

We look forward to some great adventures with you in the years to come and as always, don’t forget, if you are feeling lonely, then we are here to chat Dirty

Best,

Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team

Dive with your hero! 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♀️

Dear Dirty Dozen Team Member,

We hope this email as always finds you well.

This week we are featuring our Dirty Dozen Expeditions “Special Guests”. Joining an expedition with a special guest is a great way to dive with and learn from well-known industry names.

Not only do they bring their additional expertise and knowledge to our trips, but they are also great fun to dive with and are happy to share their awesome knowledge and presentations over dinner and a beer.

Let’s dive into what guests we have coming up, and how you can join them on a trip of a lifetime!

JILL HEINERTH

Jill Heinerth is a Canadian cave diver, underwater explorer, writer, photographer, and filmmaker. She is a veteran of over thirty years of filming, photography, and exploration on projects in submerged caves around the world.

She has made TV series, consulted on movies, written several books, and is a frequent corporate keynote speaker. Jill is the first Explorer in Residence of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, a recipient of Canada’s prestigious Polar Medal, and a Fellow of the International Scuba Divers Hall of Fame.

Currently diving a PRISM 2 rebreather, Jill has featured as a special guest on three sold out Dirty Dozen Expeditions to Truk Lagoon and will join us for her first journey to the Galapagos in 2026.

Watch this video of Jill explaining her reasons for diving with Dirty Dozen Expeditions.

MARK POWELL

Mark Powell is a TDI/SDI Instructor Trainer and a member of TDI/SDI’s Global Training Advisor Panel. He also represents TDI/SDI on a number of international standards groups. He is a regular contributor to a number of diving magazines and a regular speaker at Diving conferences around the world.

Mark has published Deco for Divers and Technical Diving: An Introduction, widely acclaimed overviews of the theory and physiology of decompression and technical diving.

These have quickly become the standard texts on the subject and are recommended reading by a number of the technical diving agencies. Mark does a plethora of presentations onboard that come from these books wether its decompression myths or the latest on deep stops.

Currently on a X-CCR, Mark has featured as a special guest on two sold out expeditions to Truk Lagoon and one sold out expedition to Bikini Atoll.

Watch this video of Mark sitting on the beach in Bikini Atoll discussing the experience with Aron Arngrimsson and Jakub Slama.

ADAM WOOD

Adam Wood has been responsible for creating, designing, and wiring many diving courses including the full range of SSI XR and XR CCR, Sidemount, and Overhead Environment programs. As one of the busiest instructors in diving you can find Adam teaching almost every day in various worldwide destinations.

Adam’s passion is teaching, and passing on knowledge and skills in recreational, technical, sidemount, and closed-circuit rebreather diving, at Instructor and Instructor Trainer levels.

NICK HOLLIS

The driving force behind the Hollis brand since its launch in 2007, Nick Hollis’s passion for scuba diving began earlier than most: as an 8-year-old diving with his father, Bob Hollis.

Today, Nick leads the design of gear for both the recreational and technical markets, focuses on the customer experience, and works to continuously expand the rebreather community.

Nick will return for his second expedition to Truk Lagoon in 2025 with us.

That’s a wrap from us this week! 

We hope you have some great plans coming up look forward to seeing you all above and underwater soon. Please don’t forget, if you ever feel lonely, we are always here to chat Dirty.

Best,

Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team

Get certified for your trip of a lifetime! 📝

Dear Dirty Dozen Team Member,

We hope this email as always finds you well.

Always fancied joining one of our expeditions but not sure what qualifications or experience you need?

This week we are giving you an insight into the recommended requirements for each of our destinations to help you pick trip the best trip for you.

TRUK LAGOON

Truk Lagoon is often regarded as a deep, technical diving location with big challenging wrecks and advanced penetrations. However, 70% of the more than 40 wrecks lie within 40m depth.

This makes is an excellent destination for recreational diving, and many of our expeditions welcome both technical and recreational divers.

Minimum Certifications

For recreational divers, Advanced Open Water with 100 dives and a Nitrox certification is required.

The certification prerequisites for our technical expedition divers are CCR Air Dil Deco for rebreather divers and TDI Decompression Procedures or an equivalent rating for open circuit.

Additional Certifications

Normoxic Trimix qualifications are recommended for technical divers as this will make your diving safer and allow you to explore more of the deeper wrecks. Any divers wishing to do penetration dives without a guide should hold Advanced Wreck or Full Cave certifications.

Recreational divers with a Deep and/or Wreck certification will benefit from the experience these courses provide.

BIKINI ATOLL

Bikini Atoll is a deep and technical diving location with big challenging wrecks and advanced penetrations. In contrast to Truk Lagoon, where there are shallower dives, the wrecks in Bikini are at the deeper end of the spectrum.

The depth of the wrecks in Bikini Atoll is beyond recreational dive limits and so this destination is not suitable for recreational divers.

Minimum Certifications

It is a minimum prerequisite that you are an Open Circuit Extended Range or a CCR Normoxic Trimix diver so that you can fully enjoy these spectacular wrecks.

Additional Certifications

Open circuit divers will benefit from Normoxic Trimix qualifications, however, trimix is in short supply so divers should not plan on rich mixes being available.

Any divers wishing to do penetration dives must hold Advanced Wreck or Full Cave certifications. The wreck penetrations here are far more challenging than in Truk Lagoon.

GALAPAGOS

Galapagos is a great destination for friends, couples, or groups of divers with a range of certification levels. As decompression diving is not permitted, all dives will be within recreational limits.

We run both open circuit and separate rare CCR-only trips.

Minimum Certifications

For open circuit divers, Advanced Open Water with 50 dives and a Nitrox certification is required.

CCR divers should hold Air Dil Deco with a minimum of 50 dives on the unit they plan to dive.

That’s it from us for now. We look forward to some great adventures with you in the years to come and as always, don’t forget, if you are feeling lonely, then we are here to chat Dirty.

Best,

Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team

A Wreck in Depth - The San Francisco Maru

Arguably Truk Lagoon’s most famous wreck, the San Francisco Maru is one of the best-preserved reminders of the fierce battle that once raged across the Pacific theater. Today, it is the most popular deep dive in the Fourth Fleet Anchorage and an icon for divers seeking to witness a piece of wartime history frozen in time.

San Fransisco Maru

With a minimum depth of 37m, San Fran is mostly reserved for technical divers. TDI Extended Range/Trimix or Normoxic Trimix CCR rating is recommended to enjoy this wreck to the fullest.

A Legacy of Conflict

The Fourth Fleet Anchorage, just off Dublon Island, was a forward base for much of the Japanese Imperial Navy.

Truk Lagoon, situated in the Federated States of Micronesia, was a strategic stronghold for the Japanese Imperial Navy during World War II. Serving as a forward operating base, it was heavily fortified and considered a vital link in Japan's Pacific defense network.

However, in February 1944, Allied forces launched Operation Hailstone, a devastating airstrike that targeted the Japanese fleet anchored in Truk Lagoon. The surprise attack left a trail of destruction, sinking dozens of ships and aircraft in a matter of days.

San Francisco Maru billowing smoke in the middle. Photo credit of US Navy, photographer aboard USS Intrepid (CV-11)

Among the casualties of Operation Hailstone was the San Francisco Maru, a Japanese cargo vessel originally built in 1919 and repurposed by the Japanese military to transport supplies, ammunition, and troops across the Pacific. 

The San Francisco Maru, built in 1919, in her first guise as a cargo vessel.

Adapting to Change

The history of the San Francisco Maru is a tale of maritime commerce and wartime adaptation. Originally constructed in 1919 by Kawasaki shipyards, she was one of over 70 cargo vessels of its class based on the British WWI ‘Standard Ship’ design.

She spent the first 20 years of her life transporting cargo around the Pacific for her owners Kokusai Kisen K.K. and, later, Yamashita Kisen Kabushiki Kaisa shipping lines. With a length of 385 feet and a displacement of over 7,000 tons, she was a formidable presence on the high seas, capable of carrying a diverse array of cargo ranging from raw materials to manufactured goods.

This aerial view of the San Francisco Maru shows her large holds capable of carrying 2,000 tons of coal.

However, the outbreak of World War II in 1939 heralded a new chapter in the ship's history. As global conflict engulfed the world, the San Francisco Maru found herself thrust into the midst of war. In 1942, following Japan's entry into the conflict, the vessel was requisitioned by the Japanese government as part of the war effort and repurposed for military use.

She was outfitted to serve as a transport vessel for the Imperial Japanese Navy, carrying coal, bauxite, and other vital raw materials from newly mandated islands back to Japan. 

Throughout the early years of the war, the San Francisco Maru operated in relative obscurity, her activities shrouded in secrecy as she traversed the vast expanse of the Pacific theater. However, her anonymity would soon be shattered in the crucible of battle. 

Original page from the U.S. Navy Recognition Manual, published in 1943, detailing the San Francisco Maru and other Japanese merchant vessels.

Her Final Days

On May 4, 1943, the San Francisco Maru suffered damage during an Allied attack on Wewak, New Guinea. She went into repair at Enoshima docks before sailing on to Truk, arriving on February 5, 1944.

Worried about an impending attack on their Pacific Fleet, the Japanese had begun moving their ships out of Truk to Palau, but despite the rest of her convoy departing on February 12, 1944, the San Francisco Maru remained in Truk.

Operation Hailstone commenced on February 17, 1944. The San Francisco Maru, sitting in the sheltered waters of Truk Lagoon’s Fourth Fleet Anchorage off Dublon Island, was a vulnerable target for the Allied bombers and torpedo planes. However, despite the meticulously planned assault she escaped damage on the first day of the attack.

San Francisco Maru sitting at anchor just off Dublon Island during the first wave of Operation Hailstone.

On February 18, 1944, waves of Group Strike aircraft descended upon the lagoon, continuing their assault from the day before. As the attack commenced, the sky was filled with the deafening roar of aircraft engines and the ominous whistling of falling bombs. Japanese anti-aircraft batteries unleashed a barrage of gunfire in a desperate bid to fend off the attackers, but their efforts proved futile against the overwhelming might of the Allied air armada.

The Grumman TBF Avenger was the most widely-used torpedo bomber of WWII and carried up to four, 500-lb bombs used in the strikes on Truk Lagoon.

Caught in the crossfire, the San Francisco Maru was subjected to a relentless onslaught of bombs and torpedoes. She was hit midships by a 500-lb bomb, dropped from a TBF Avenger from the USS Essex. Another bomb hit her starboard flank and a third brought down the mast as it blew a hole in her port side. A large fire engulfed the center of the ship, quickly shrouding her in smoke and flames as her aft holds filled with water. She sank stern first to settle upright in the sand with the loss of five crew.

Every hold on the San Francisco Maru is full of wartime supplies, from mines and detonators to cordite, ammunition, and fuel drums.

Exploring the Wreck

The San Francisco Maru sits upright in 205 feet of water, her impressive bow and anchor chains now home to whip corals, gorgonians, and other soft corals.

Today, the San Francisco Maru rests on the sandy seabed of Truk Lagoon with the deck at 165 feet and the seabed around 205 feet. She is often referred to as the “million dollar wreck” due to the huge amounts of cargo she was carrying when she sank.

Divers inspect the bow gun, encrusted in growth but still recognizable after nearly 80 years below the surface.

Descending down the bow mooring, divers are greeted by the imposing silhouette of the wreck’s intact bow gun pointing to the port side. Behind this sit three Mitsubishi Type 95 Ha-Go tanks, two to starboard and on top of each other, the third off to the port side.

A single Mitsubishi Type 95 Ha-Go tank sits forward on the port side.

The tanks to starboard rest across the gunnel but have remained in place for nearly 80 years.

Between the tanks lies a truck chassis, and below the port-side tank on the seabed can be found a large steamroller.

In good visibility, the steamroller can be seen looking down from the deck at 165 feet.

One of the biggest draws of this wreck is the huge cargo holds, each a time capsule of wartime artifacts. Hold No. 1 still boasts a full cargo of hemispherical beach mines (stacked in their original positions), detonators, shell casings, and boxes of cordite towards the front section. Hold No. 2 is home to two tanker trucks and a car in the tween deck space, as well as 50-lb bombs and shells. There is also a radial aircraft engine in the lower hold.

A staff car tucked between decks in Hold No.2. The car remains in excellent condition, its radiator grill, tire treads, and dashboard all still clearly visible.

Stacked boxes of detonators can be spotted in Hold Nos.1 and 4.

Hold No.3 was originally the coal bunker but now contains the collapsed remains of the ship’s funnel. Further aft, Hold No. 4 houses a large number of artillery shells, more hemispherical beach mines, detonators, other bombs and ammunition, and fuel drums. It is in this hold that the evidence of one of the critical bomb strikes can be seen. The deck around hold No. 5 has now collapsed inwards, however, it still contains torpedo bodies and engines, and more fuel drums. Another bomb strike can be seen on the starboard hull of Hold 5.

Hemispherical beach mines were laid along many of Japan’s beaches throughout the war as a defense against possible U.S. invasion.

A disintegrating box is just one of dozens, full of small arms ammunition.

While the San Francisco Maru’s hull is in good condition, her superstructure has largely collapsed. Initially damaged by the fires that broke out during the attack, it has since rotted in the 80 years since she sank. Only the skeletal framework of her bridge and upper deck levels remains, however, her prop and rudder are still in place.

A stern view of the San Francisco Maru - her single prop and rudder are still in place and intact.

A more humbling relic of her demise is the non-weaponry artifacts strewn throughout the wreck. Divers can discover cups and saucers, beer bottles, cooking utensils, medicine bottles, binoculars, and many other items that serve as a reminder of the human tragedy of this event.

Dive Deeper

Welcome to the world of Dirty Dozen Expeditions

The San Francisco Maru is one of the most frequently requested wrecks on Dirty Dozen Expedition’s Truk Lagoon itinerary. As one of the deeper dives in the lagoon, she is often reserved for later in our trips to ensure that all team members are dived up and ready to enjoy her to the fullest. 

Liveaboard dives normally start from the bow mooring, although there is a midships line for smaller vessels which can also be used for decompression. We use a deco-bar for the 10 and 20-feet stops for added comfort. Runtime is usually around 120-150 minutes on CCR and 100 minutes on OC.

Find out more about joining a Dirty Dozen expedition and diving the San Francisco Maru, as well as the other spectacular wrecks of Truk Lagoon on our website or drop us an email at info@thedirtydozen.org.

Text by Gillian Flaherty

Images by Aron Arngrimsson and Jill Heinerth

Historical Images from US Navy and IJN sources

Special Guest announcement and LA Show news🇺🇸

Dear Dirty Dozen Team Member,

We hope this email as always finds you well.

We have some exciting announcements coming up this month, including new trips dates and a special guest announcement!

SCUBA SHOW 2024 LOS ANGELES

Scuba Show 2024 is bigger and better than ever in a new venue at the LA Convention Center on June 1 & 2, 2024.

We will be at booth 207, right inside the entrance and before the DAN stand. Make sure to stop by and chat about exploration diving in Truk Lagoon, Bikini Atoll, Galápagos Islands & Palau.

Look out for Aron who will hopefully be presenting on Truk Lagoon VS Bikini Atoll. Read on to find out about the special price for #teamdd members who sign up at the Scuba Show.

SPECIAL GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT

We are very excited to announce that TDI Instructor Trainer and member of TDI’s Global Training Advisor Panel, Mark Powell, will be returning to Bikini Atoll with Dirty Dozen Expeditions in 2026!

Back by popular demand, Mark’s trip always fill up fast, so make sure you book your spot now to avoid disappointment!

We are offering a Scuba Show Early-Bird Discount of $500 per person for new bookings made on Mark Powell’s 3-14 September 2026 Bikini Atoll Expedition.

KNOWLEDGE BASE UPDATES

Don’t forget to regularly check out our YouTube channel and Knowledge Base. We are constantly adding new and updated content, useful information, and educational videos to keep you at the forefront of technical diving.

WRECK IN DEPTH IS BACK

Many of you will remember the original Wreck In Depth series that was started by Martin Cridge several years ago. Well, we’ve decided to revive it with some new ‘Wreck in Depth’ articles coming soon.

Check out previous Wreck in Depth articles…

USS Saratoga

Prinz Eugen

IJN Nagato

What historical wrecks would you like to know more about? Select your favorite by clicking this LINK

That’s it from us for now. We look forward to some great adventures with you in the years to come and as always, don’t forget, if you are feeling lonely, then we are here to chat Dirty.

Best,

Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team

☝️GLOBAL AVAILABILITY UPDATE

Dear Dirty Dozen Team Member,

We’ve hit the ground running in 2024 and have already seen successful expeditions to the Solomon Islands and Galapagos this year.

Next up, our two summer trips take 24 lucky divers on the trip of a lifetime to explore the wrecks of Bikini Atoll.

Don’t delay planning your own bucket-list trip as our charters often book up more than two years in advance. Check out availability in 2025, 2026 & 2027!

THE PLANNING FOR FUTURE TRIP OF A LIFETIME STARTS NOW

GALAPAGOS AVAILABILITY

We have some awesome trips lined up in Galápagos Islands over the next couple of years, including an appearance from our favorite special guest, Jill Heinerth.

Check out the following links for more information:

This truly is a once-in-a-lifetime trip as we are one of few operators offering CCR-only expeditions in the Galápagos Islands.

Watch the video below to watch no bubbles diving in the real Jurassic Park!

TRUK LAGOON AVAILABILITY

We have a wide range of options available for your Truk Lagoon adventure.

If you have last-minute availability and are looking for a great deal, we are offering $500 off our March 2025 expedition with special guest, Nick Hollis!

Or for guests who prefer to plan further ahead, we have two back-to-back charters in April 2026 onboard our new expedition vessel M/V Odyssey.

Guests booking both trips get an exclusive $500 discount!

Check out the following links for more information:

Check out our new Truk Lagoon video above featuring 2025 special guest, Nick Hollis.

BIKINI ATOLL AVAILABILITY

Our 2024 Bikini trips are sold out, and 2025 is not far behind. Don’t miss out on booking your spot to one of the world’s most iconic wreck destinations.

For a limited time only we are offering a $500 discount for bookings made before May 15th. Use discount code BIKINI500OFF when you make your reservation on our last remaining spots.

Check out the following links for more information:

Check out our new Bikini Atoll video for an idea of expedition life!

CONTACT US NOW TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

We can offer small deposits, flexible payment terms, and friendly booking conditions on all our trips to get you down and dirty with some of the most infamous wrecks on the planet.

That pretty much wraps it from us this week. As usual, we hope you have a lovely weekend ahead but remember, if you feel lonely, we are here to chat Dirty.

Best,

Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team

Galápagos Trip Report + Jill Heinerth joining for future trips!🔥

Dear Dirty Dozen Team Member,

We hope this email, as always, finds you well.

Our March 2024 Galápagos expedition has just returned, and what a trip they had! A team of seven CCR divers, spearheaded by #teamdd expedition leaders, Gillian and Eduardo, embarked on an epic expedition to discover the awesome marine life of these prehistoric islands.

Trip Report by Gillian Flaherty - Expedition Leader

Experiencing the Galápagos is an incredible adventure and one I’ve been fortunate enough to experience on open circuit. But imagine connecting with some of the ocean’s most unique marine life on a rebreather!

And just think how this experience is amplified when the entire dive group, including guides, is on closed circuit! This is what sets our extremely rare, Dirty Dozen CCR-only trips apart from other Galápagos expeditions.

I landed in San Cristobal and managed to grab a few hours of kip before embarking mid-morning. We had plenty of time for boat and safety briefings and equipment set-up before a late afternoon check-dive.

Our home for the next 11 days would be the beautifully appointed M/V Calipso liveaboard. With modern cabins boasting wall-to-wall windows, a large saloon area, and even a jacuzzi, I knew our group would be very comfortable onboard.

But what made the M/V Calipso stand out for me was the caliber of her crew. Every staff member was friendly and helpful, making us feel welcome and cared for from day one. The food was exceptional and the dive-deck support was seamless, both vital components of a successful dive trip!

MOLA MONSTERS OF THE DEEP

Our first few days were spent on the western side of the archipelago, diving the stunning walls and rocky plateaus of Isabella and Fernandina Islands. Here, upwellings of the deep Cromwell Current hit the far edge of the archipelago bringing cold, nutrient-rich water that supports a wealth of weird and wonderful creatures.

Close encounter with CCR Guide Javier in 2023 - Photo by Marissa Eckert.

Cousins of the Mola mola or ocean sunfish, Mola alexandrini could be mistaken for an extraterrestrial visitor. These strangely flattened giants visit cleaning stations along the edge of Isabella Island where we were treated to numerous encounters during our two dives there. They sidled past with surprising grace, and I can only assume that being bubble-free we avoided spooking them to achieve some awesomely close encounters.

We were treated to some incredibly close encounters with ocean sunfish - Photo by Jonathan Saenz.

WOLF AND DARWIN STEAL THE SHOW

After several days of warm-up diving (or should I say, cool-down diving), we transited north overnight towards the highlight of our trip - Wolf and Darwin Islands. These isolated outcrops at the very northern reaches of the Galápagos chain are world-famous shark diving spots.

Watching the wild action at Wolf!

My favorite area, and one I could dive time and again, was the Theatre. This natural bowl at the edge of the reef was the perfect location to hang out and watch for pelagic action in the blue.

However, this site is also subject to the infamous Galapagos currents that threaten to tear your loop out of your mouth and your mask off your face! The trick is to hunker down behind a large boulder, cling on to barnacles with one hand, and have the other hand ready on your camera for the big stuff. And it doesn’t take long to appear!

We lost track of the number of hammerheads on show, sometimes schooling in their dozens in the deep water, at other times swimming right over our heads across the reef. We were treated to Galapagos and tiger sharks, eagle, mobula, and devil rays, and huge numbers of schooling pompano, salema, and jack.

CABO MARSHALL FINALE

After an exceptional five days at Wolf and Darwin, we bid farewell to the pelagics and headed back south to Cabo Marshall on the eastern side of Isabella Island. In an area known as Manta City, we did our final dives with the hope of encountering oceanic mantas feeding close to the reef.

But it was not our lucky day! Despite the lack of rays, we enjoyed two fascinating explorations of the volcanic coastline, winding through lava channels past groups of snoozing white tips, dozing turtles, and countless moray eels.

All too soon we were back in San Cristobal, our 10-night epic sadly drawing to a close.

WE’LL BE BACK SOON

From the best boat to the best guides, watch our video from Galápagos to see the team and expedition vessel in action!

JOIN US IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Dirty Dozen Expeditions is running 8-Day Galápagos expeditions in 2025 and 2026. And as if the destination itself is not exciting enough, special guest, Jill Heinerth, is joining the team for both an open-circuit recreational and a closed-circuit expedition in 2026.

Click on the buttons below to find out more and reserve your spot!

That’s a wrap from us this week! Thanks, Gill, for a great trip report!

We hope you have some great plans coming up this summer and we look forward to seeing you all above and underwater soon. Please don’t forget, if you ever feel lonely, we are always here to chat Dirty.

Best,

Aron & The Dirty Dozen Team

Solomons Trip Report 🇸🇧 + Boston Sea Rovers! 🇺🇸

Dear Team Member,

I hope this message finds you healthy and well. What a newsletter we have for you!

We are still buzzing from our incredible inaugural expedition to the Solomon Islands where 13 CCR divers conducted over 200 successful CCR dives on the historic wrecks of Iron Bottom Sound last month.

The sheer size and scale of the WWII wrecks is breathtaking, and perhaps a little tricky to put into words. Let our team members tell you!

FROM THE DIVER’S MOUTH

We thrive off our customer experiences. It is what DDE is all about.

#teamdd member Brett Eldridge from the well-known blog Wrecked In My rEvo was on board with us in Solomons, and this is his testimonial:

“Diving the WW II era "Iron Bottom Sound" wrecks in Guadalcanal has always been high on my list. Most of the typical liveaboard boats dive reefs and occasionally visit a wreck or two and those are generally all in recreational depths.

When Aron and Dirty Dozen announced an inaugural technical wreck diving expedition to the Solomon Islands, I jumped on the chance of a lifetime.

There are many benefits of diving with Dirty Dozen: sorb was waiting for us, banked Trimix gasses, plenty of rebreather cylinders, bailout cylinders rigged and ready-to-go, and a deco station that was setup on each wreck for our long deco dives.

They also had arranged to have the Solomons wreck expert, Neil Yates, with us to dive and give dive briefings.

Because they charter the boat, we as a team get to decide (conditions permitting) which wrecks we dive, how long we spend on them, and the general itinerary.

On this trip we dove a lot of great wrecks and had a lot of fun with some unique events like visiting the abandoned World Discoverer cruise ship and a beach BBQ at the end of the trip.

The wrecks were amazing. The highlight for me was diving the USS Aaron Ward three times with runtimes in the 2.5-3 hour range. It gave us plenty of time to really explore the wreck.

In addition, we were able to dive other great wrecks such as the USS Kanawha, a Japanese "Mavis" floatplane, and a very unique and pivotal piece of history, the Japanese I-1 submarine.

If you are looking for a very interesting and unique wreck diving location and want to dive some of the deeper wrecks, I highly recommend booking with Dirty Dozen.”

Brett Eldridge - Palau 2022/Bikini 2023/Solomons 2024

Read more of our customer testimonials now with more reports from Solomons, Bikini Atoll, Truk Lagoon and Galapagos.

GET ME TO THE SOLOMONS

If you are interested in joining us on a dream expedition to the Solomon Islands contact us now to register your interest.

BOSTON SEA ROVERS - THIS WEEKEND

Visit our booth at the Boston Sea Rovers 70th Anniversary show this coming weekend!

Join us at Booth 18 to plan and book your OC/CCR trip of a lifetime to Palau, Solomons, Truk, Bikini or Galapagos

Aron is speaking on Truk Lagoon Vs. Bikini Atoll on Saturday at 3PM and might sneak some footage and experiences from Solomon Islands in there as well!

Looking forward to seeing you there!

That is it for this newsletter.

We look forward to some great adventures with you in the years to come and as always, don’t forget, if you are feeling lonely, then we are here to chat Dirty

Best,

Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team

Inaugural 🇸🇧 Expedition is underway!

Dear Team Member,

I hope this newsletter finds you healthy and well.

Our inaugural Solomon Islands wreck expedition embarks today and the excitement among #teamdd has reached fever pitch… Our dive team woke up this morning in Honiara with the view above and the anticipation is palpable!

We would like to give you a sneak peek at some of the highlights on our custom-made wreck itinerary to give you a better idea of why we cannot wait to dive into this absolute gem of a wreck destination.

THE WRECKS

USS Aaron Ward

Gleaves-class destroyer -  Length: 106m/348ft | Tonnage: 2,060 | Depth to seabed: 70m/229ft

Not discovered until 1995, the USS Aaron Ward avoided the attention of salvagers in the 70s and so the wreck is in relatively good condition. Today, she lies upright in warm, clear water with her deck at approximately 60m and the bottom at 70m.

The bridge has been completely destroyed, leaving a pile of debris in its place with the last remaining searchlight sitting upright on the deck.

USS John Penn

Attack transport - Length: 145m/475ft | Tonnage: 9,360 | Depth to seabed: 56m/183ft

The wreck lies on her starboard side with the port hull in about 36m/118ft of water. This is a fascinating wreck with plenty of memorabilia to discover, both inside and outside.

However, strong tidal currents and a covering of silt can make for a more challenging dive.

USS Kanawha

Kanawha-class fleet replenishment oiler -  Length: 145m/475ft | Tonnage: 14,800 (full load) | Depth to seabed: 57m/187ft

The wreck of the oil tanker USS Kanawha lies north east of Soghonangola Island at the entrance to Tulagi Harbour. She faces the island upright (south) and is on a sandy bottom at a maximum depth of about 57m/187ft.

There are a number of guns still in position and large amounts of ammunition around the bridge.

USS Atlanta

The first question we get asked when talking about Solomon Islands is - are you planning to dive the USS Atlanta?

The short answer is ‘Yes, in due course’. We are evaluating our operator and conditions for a dive on the USS Atlanta on our inaugural trip and will keep you posted.

WANT TO JOIN US IN 2025?

JOIN US IN THE SOLOMONS IN 2025 by clicking the button below to discover more information about pricing and inclusions for our trip 18 - 28 October 2025.

That wraps it up for this week. As always we look forward to some great adventures with you in the years to come and as always, don’t forget, if you are feeling lonely, then we are here to chat Dirty.

Best,

Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team