Fujikawa Maru

Fujikawa Maru is a well-known shipwreck located in the Truk Lagoon, Micronesia. It is considered one of the most famous of the Truk Lagoon's Ghost Fleet, attracting divers from around the world due to its historical significance and the abundance of marine life that now inhabits the wreck.

History

The Fujikawa Maru was built in 1938 by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. in Nagasaki, Japan. Originally designed as a passenger-cargo ship for the Toyo Kaiun K.K. shipping company, the vessel was requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II and converted into an aircraft ferry and transport ship.

Sinking

On February 17, 1944, during Operation Hailstone, a massive naval air and surface attack by the United States Navy against the Japanese naval and air base at Truk Lagoon, the Fujikawa Maru was hit by several bombs and torpedoes and sank.

Diving the Wreck

Today, the Fujikawa Maru is one of the most popular dive sites in Truk Lagoon. The ship rests upright on the seabed at a depth of approximately 34 meters. The deck is at a depth of 15 meters, making it accessible to divers of all levels. The ship's cargo holds contain a variety of World War II artifacts, including the remains of several Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter planes.

Preservation and Conservation

Efforts to preserve the Fujikawa Maru and other wrecks in Truk Lagoon are ongoing. The site is protected by the Federated States of Micronesia's National Historic Preservation Act, which prohibits the removal of artifacts from the wrecks.

See Also

• Truk Lagoon
• Shipwreck diving
• Operation Hailstone
• Mitsubishi A6M Zero

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