THAI NAVY VESSEL 731 HTMS Kut

(Former USS LSM-333)

Written by Stephen Burton

(Nr Koh Sak, Pattaya Bay)

Location North12,57.1  East100,48.1

Depth 30meters ; suitable for air, nitrox, technical Wreck Penetration Diving

Computer generated image of Royal Thai Navy sister ship LSM#732 courtesy of Mr Alex Beuchel, Used with permission

The sinking pictures…(click for Hi-Res Megabyte images)

Sinking Picture sequence courtesy of Mr. Charlie Frost. used with permission

“Down she goes”

10:30am 17 September 2006

Further information on US Navy Vessels from http://www.navsource.org/

The Thai navy has sunk a decommissioned warship near Koh Larn in Pattaya Bay to create a second artificial reef and marine breeding ground in honor of the King of Thailand’s 60th year on the throne.

The United States gave this ship (Former USS LSM-338) renamed HTMS KUT to the Thai navy during 1962. The ship, now dilapidated beyond repair, has been in use for more than 60 years. It now lies just slightly North of Koh Sak in around 30 meters of water.

HTMS Kut – Sinking ceremony flier

For information on Other ships in the Thai Navy follow this link.

Ships Plans for penetration diving use

Overview

Details Plans

( Click for Hi-Res Image. Note that the 1Mbyte download of each image file takes ‘quite some time’)

Diving the HTMS Kut..

Information up to date as of 15 September 2006

Depth to the top of the wreck 10m; depth to the sea bed=30m; visibility 5-15m; Best choice of gas is Nitrox 36

This ship has been well prepared by the Thai Navy as a dive site, and is free from armaments, oil and most hazards to divers. Large holes have been cut in many areas and penetration dives through the ships passageways rarely takes the diver out of natural light. Care should be taken with a few of the rooms though, as big steel watertight doors are still fitted and may be locked easily with the unsuspected diver still inside.

The bridge/Radio room

This is the highest are of the wreck. It is possible to stand on the bridge at 13m depth. all the glass has been taken out of the windows (sadly the portholes have gone too, sigh!) telegraph, steering mechanism, and any bits that may be used as spare parts have gone. Entry into the bridge area is simple and safe. A few new divers will probably have there certification cards presented to them in this room.

Deck Area and side passageways

The ship was made for carrying tanks, troops and equipment to a beach head, so the center of the boat is a large flat area with built up sides. There are several points of entry into the well lit side corridors, don’t kick up the silt in them though as you swim through, else a complete silt out will occur.

Engine room

Located aft, entry via a large access hole in the middle of the load deck. again, great natural light in this area (unlike most engine rooms) Both main engines have been removed. This is a great tech diving classroom, with pipes gauges and dials everywhere, though who knows how long they’ll stay. Again, careful with silt in this are, as it’s possible to get trapped under overhanging ledges going far under the deck.

The dive site is currently marked by a buoy connected to the large anchor, with a rope leading to the wreck (October 2006)