Underwater Silhouette Photography
NEW Dive Clothing Store Coming Soon
Best Wreck Dives Thailand - The Hardeep Shipwreck
AKA SS Suddhadib Sank 1945
The Infamous Hardeep Wreck Somehow found itself listed as one of the world’s TOP 10 most dangerous Wreck Dives. Having lived and breathed scuba diving in Pattaya with over 1000 dives upon this wreck and studying the history I felt responsible for setting this fact straight. "The Hardeep itself has not been directly responsible for numerous Wreck Diving Deaths." an online article focuses on this claim but personally I feel it’s in bad taste. There are strong water currents in the nearby area and some accidents resulting in missing divers have resulted in some perishing but none of them due to the wreck per se. All of them are due to bad dive planning, inexperience, and strong currents. The ship’s real name is SS Suddhadib and just 50mins outside of Pattaya, Thailand (which is less than 2hrs from Bangkok). In a small fishing village called Samae San where there are not many dive operators, but a few select dive shops in Pattaya have boats and scuba dive there. Only 30mins from this pier you will find yourself moored over a TOP 10 battle sank shipwreck but not for it infamously, because it's one of the best wreck dives Thailand offers.
70 years Of History
This wreck was formally known as S.S. SUDDHADIB but today, better known as the Hardeep wreck, sometimes spelled Hardepp, The Hardeep wreck was some 70 years before a 70m freight & passenger steam ship. Unlike other Shipwrecks in Pattaya Such as HTMS Kut which we laid down by the royal Thai navy to create artificial reef, THe Hardeep Wreck was bombed 1st of June 1945 by The British RAF (Royal Air Force). During the late part of the second world war, The bomber squadron of RAF B-24 Liberators 99 and 159, were piloted by allied British, American and Australian pilots on a mission to Thailand from Kolkata India.How Did The Hardeep Get Her Name?
Did her name make her Infamous!?
The Hardeep, as she's named, has a reputation with Pattaya wreck divers. This reputation coined in her nick name 'Hardeep' some saying its because she is a hard and deep wreck dive. Actually it more likely the name hardeep is simply a shortened and abbreviated variation of Suddhadib as in Thai the 'b' letter is often confused with a 'p' sounding pronunciation, hence Hadip or Hardeep when it is written as it is said.
How Dangerous Is The Hardeep Wreck to Dive, Really?
Factual statistics are hard to find but its believe there have been several deaths over the years while many accidents diving this wreck. The wreck dive itself on the contrary to her name can be exciting yet relaxing and pleasant, and indeed in truth, can be hard and deep, this is not questioned. Since its location in Samea san is between three islands which consequently create a complicated topography for the water to swirl and flow intensely around during incoming tides. To this end if you're planning on a peaceful wreck dive during your holiday to Thailand, we would advise above all you ask the dive centre when the best reasonably slack tide is available. If you get these conditions you will find your self having a fantastic dive accordingly, enjoying the mystique atmosphere of the wreck whilst gazing in awe at the aquatic life that has made this wreck site their home.The Hardeep Wreck - Facts
TYPE:: Freight & Passenger Steam ship
CONSTRUCTION::Built 1918 in Hong Kong by HK Whampoa Dock Co
NAME::Named after daughter of King Rama V, Correct name: Suddhadib
PURPOSE::Carried passengers and cargo around Thailand and SEA
ASSIGNMENTS::Carried cargo and fuel during WW2
FATE::Could not return to Bangkok due to mines in mouth of the Chaopraya River
TARGET::RAF B24 liberators bombed & missed May 30th but succeeded June 1st
STATUS::Recreation dive site probably 1st by US soldiers on R&R
REPUTATION:: Has become one of the best wrecks Thailand has.
POSITION & DEPTH:: Laying onside in 26-28m
How did the S.S. SUDDHADIB AKA The Hardeep Wreck Sink?
During that fateful morning in 1945, fires rages aboard the Suddhadib, but despite this, it was not the fires or explosion which caused the ship to sink. Although fires were caused, the bombs which hit the S.S. SUDDHADIB did not explode (otherwise the hardeep would not be one of Best Wreck Dives Thailand has to offer today if they had). Instead a lone bomb it thought to have entered the forward hold, penetrating the hull causing her to sink, meaning this present day, she lays in 26-28m of water in the Gulf Of Thailand, Samaesan, 300m north of Ko Chuang. Until fairly recently, no real historic picture of the event existed and the story of her sinking was different from diver to diver, dive brief to dive brief. Until Peter Walker's research was completed.Peter Walker had researched the full history of the Suddhadib (a.k.a. Hardeep Wreck), the findings that he unearthed were a revelation to all divers who had known the wreck only as an exciting, but rather anonymous dive site.
Check out Thai-Scuba.com and send thanks to Alex over there for his truly amazing work and 3D renders of the wreck, its bombing and all the other projects he has dedicated his time and effort towards.
How To Dive The Hardeep (S.S Suddhadip Wreck) Dive Site
Step #1
Get an Advanced Openwater Diver Certification and some experience diving in currents first is advised.Step #2
Check the tides and aim for slack high or dropping tide. Avoid rising tides on this wreck.Search Sattaihip Tide Station For Correct Tides
Free Tide Chats App On Apple ➜
Free Tide Chats App On Andriod ➜
