Authorities in Chuuk have confirmed an oil spill from the World War II wreck of the Rio de Janeiro Maru in Uman, Chuuk Lagoon. The leak, first noticed by divers on 11 September and confirmed on 13 September 2025, has released oil near one of the lagoon’s most popular wrecks. Officials warn the incident highlights the wider risk posed by the 63 wartime wrecks scattered across the lagoon.
Picturesque, remote tropical islands, a serene, protected atoll, endless warm water, colorful soft corals, encrusting sponges, schooling reef fish and the occasional spotted eagle ray, shark or other pelagic… What more could a diver ask for? How about over 60 shipwrecks, plane wrecks and even a submarine steeped in WWII history—95 percent of which are within recreational diving limits.
His passing is incredibly unexpected and shocking to everyone who knew him and worked with him.
There are very few people that knew more, or were more passionate about the wrecks and the diving in Chuuk and Bikini. Anyone who dived with him will have felt his infectious enthusiasm. Everyone who dealt directly with him at Master Liveaboards and The Dirty Dozen felt it too.
It now looks as though apart from the "Operation Hailstone" ships sunk in Truk Lagoon, Micronesia will also benefit from being professionally documented too. Plans are being announced that a baseline is going to be established on these ‘bucket list dive’ wrecks.
