Amatsu Maru

Malakal, Palau

Depth

40m

Visibility

8m - 24m

Entry

Boat

Experience Level

Advanced

Amatsu Maru

Malakal, Palau

Depth

40m

Visibility

8m - 24m

Entry

Boat

Experience Level

Advanced

About Amatsu Maru

Amazu maru: Mitsubishi Oil Tanker Depth: (130'/ 40m) Mitsubishi built the Amatsu Maru aka Black Coral Wreck in 1943. The ship is 502 feet in length and weighs 10,567 tons. The Amatsu tops a couple of Palau's' wreck charts by being not only the deepest Japanese wreck but the largest in the whole of Micronesia Operation Desecrate I's air raid launched several 1000 lb. bombs into the Amazu. The oiler was targeted later by the post WWII Salvage Operations due to obvious economic reasons. It was too large to raise, so the company decides to dismantle it instead. During the procedure some of crew members were lost a freak explosion. The mission ended abruptly and was never resumed. Legend has it that if you night dive the engine room on a full moon'� Just joking, didn't you know that ghosts can't breathe underwater!? A combination of the salvaging process and explosion damage result in the mangled metal remains. Watch for the live amo. All Palau's wreck dives have the potential to be very dangerous. The bridge itself has three decks alone and needless to say, for the Amazu - one dive is not enough. The wreck requires both deep and advanced diving experience. Visibility ranges between 20 and 80 feet. Location: W Malakal Anchorage. Marine life: Black Coral hence the ships new nickname as well as lagoon fish.

Amatsu Maru Dive Info

Terrain & Features

Wreck

Entry Type

Boat

Max Depth

40m

Visibility Range

8m – 24m

Experience Level

Advanced

Best Gas Mix

21% – 28%

O₂

CNS Load (20 min)

13% at 38m / 29%

O₂

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Marine Life

Various

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Location

Dive Site Hazards

Deceptive Entry Openings — Openings may become restrictive inside due to angle, collapse, or corrosion.
Surge-Induced Internal Silt Shift — Internal surge can move silt and debris without direct contact.
Partial Overhead Environment — Many wrecks limit direct ascent even without full penetration.

Fine Rust Particle Silt-Out — Disturbed rust particles can rapidly reduce visibility.

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