Diving in the USAT Liberty wreck
Just at the end of the last year in December we visited Bali Indonesia, an amazing and exotic place with beautiful nature, wonderful sea, very interesting culture and extra delicious food. And of course, this is a great diving destination attracting divers from around the globe who love to dive in the magical and colorful coral bottoms, interact with the plentiful marine life and certainly visit the exciting wreck sites. The most well known and probably the most interesting one is the USAT Liberty on which we did two very fascinating dives.
The USAT Liberty used to be a 126 meter long american freighter which the WW2 found her to serve in the asia pacific territory transporting ammunition and equipment for the allied forces. On January 11, 1942 while she was steaming close to Lombok strait in Indonesia was torpedoed by the japanese submarine I-166. The escorting destroyers tried to tow the heavily wounded ship to the harbor of Singaraja in Bali for repairs but because the vessel was taking too much water they had to beach her at the shore of Tulamben to save the cargo.
She resided there up to 1963 when the tremors caused by the volcanic eruption moved the ship deeper to the sea and below the surface into a sloppy sandy wall where she is currently resting at a depth ranging from 7.6-31 meters. The wreck lies from the port side with the stern section in the shallower water while the bow part is in the deepest point. Due to exposure to the elements the ship has been smashed to an unshaped pattern and the main hold and superstructure have collapsed and their pieces are scattered around the bottom.
During our dives the weather conditions were very calm with smooth sea, very mild current and excellent visibility. We entered the sea from the shore where all the facilities for food, drinks, showers, WC and benches for seating and relaxing were there and swam underwater a distance of around 80 meters in the sandy bottom to reach the wreck. You don’ t need to be there to see the life. As soon as you submerge from the shore you are surrounded by curious parrot fish and when you are about to approach it a field of “dancing” eels is welcoming you. They are shy but inquisitive!.
During our dives we made a complete tour around the hull of the ship and a mild penetration in the destroyed hold. The marine life is very plenty and we saw groupers, amberjacks, a playful sea turtle, barracudas, geelbek croakers and these popular yellow striped fishes. Occasionally, you can see the big napoleon fish and not unlikely the black fin shark which we did not.
The USAT Liberty is a very interesting, historical and easily accessible wreck likeable by both the novice and experienced divers due to the wonderful marine diversity, impressive scenery and mild diving conditions with the absence of strong currents. Thus, it is equally attractive to free divers and snorkelers as well. So don’ t miss the chance to visit the site when you come to Bali!.
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