GWR
13-11-06, 11:14 AM
Seems the Royal Thai Navy is really serious about its policy of trying to reestablish reefs, and create some interesting divesites. This is not the first decommissioned RTN ship to go to the bottom for that purpose: -
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_18_09_49.htm
Scroll down the linked page for pictures!
Sinking of a naval vessel off the coast of Pattaya
We now present an extended report on the sinking of a decommissioned naval vessel off the coast of Pattaya. Pattaya City News was given exclusive access to the entire process which ultimately led to the ship being sunk near Sark Island, 2kms off the coast of Pattaya.
We begin this report at Samut Prakan Province some 30kms south of Bangkok where the vessel begins its final journey. For the last 2 years since the boat has been taken out of commission it has been kept at the Phra Chulachomklao Fort which now serves as a Thai Naval museum. Before it could set sail to Pattaya, a full inspection of the vessel was made by a specially selected team of senior Naval officers and engineers to ensure that it was seaworthy and contained no items which were deemed a threat to national security such as sensitive papers or equipment.
The boat is called “Rua Luang Good” but has a fascinating history which begins in America. The ship was constructed in July 1944 in Chicago and was commissioned as USS LSM-333 on 25th November 1944 under the command of Lieutenant William Russell Schulhof. During World War II this LSM-1 Class Landing Ship was assigned to the Asia-Pacific region and participated in the Okinawa Gunto Operation – the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto between 28th April and 18th May 1945. The vessel was decommissioned on 28th July 1946 and struck from the Naval Register. During this time it was awarded three awards including the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory medal. In October 1946 it was transferred to the Royal Thai Navy and renamed HTMS Kut LSM-731. It was decommissioned by the Navy in 2004 and was then used for spare parts.
So, the inspection of the boat was over and a final planning meeting was held to ensure that the crew of the tug boat which was given the job of towing the boat to Pattaya knew the exact point where the vessel had to be taken to. Before the boat left Samut Prakan for the last time, a touching ceremony was held before Dawn which offered the boat a safe final voyage.
On Saturday 16th September the final journey began to Pattaya. The journey took around 10 hours and on Saturday Night the boat was maneuvered into position and was now ready to be sunk. Final checks from a helicopter were made by senior staff from the Sattahip Navy Base and the final thumbs up were given.
On Sunday morning the last chapter in the boats history begun with a ceremony conducted by Admiral Satienrapan, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, he was joined by Khun Niran, the Mayor of Pattaya. A gun was fired into the sky and hundreds watched as the bow door was opened and the boat slowly sunk. After 30 minutes the boat had reached its final resting place, 33 meters under the sea.
So what now for the HTMS Kut ? It is sure to become one of the most popular dive sites here in Pattaya and will also provide an ideal environment for marine wildlife to flourish. There is already talk from some local dive centers who is to be the first company to be allowed to explore this fascinating piece of history lying in the waters off Pattaya. This is truly a massive boost for the local Tourism industry at a time when it needs it the most and will attract hundreds, if not thousands of amateur and professional divers to Pattaya to explore the site.
'State Railways of Thailand' has also entered into this project by sinking redundant freight wagons off the coast of Chonburi and Narathiwat Provinces. I may eventually rediscover some pictures on this project.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_18_09_49.htm
Scroll down the linked page for pictures!
Sinking of a naval vessel off the coast of Pattaya
We now present an extended report on the sinking of a decommissioned naval vessel off the coast of Pattaya. Pattaya City News was given exclusive access to the entire process which ultimately led to the ship being sunk near Sark Island, 2kms off the coast of Pattaya.
We begin this report at Samut Prakan Province some 30kms south of Bangkok where the vessel begins its final journey. For the last 2 years since the boat has been taken out of commission it has been kept at the Phra Chulachomklao Fort which now serves as a Thai Naval museum. Before it could set sail to Pattaya, a full inspection of the vessel was made by a specially selected team of senior Naval officers and engineers to ensure that it was seaworthy and contained no items which were deemed a threat to national security such as sensitive papers or equipment.
The boat is called “Rua Luang Good” but has a fascinating history which begins in America. The ship was constructed in July 1944 in Chicago and was commissioned as USS LSM-333 on 25th November 1944 under the command of Lieutenant William Russell Schulhof. During World War II this LSM-1 Class Landing Ship was assigned to the Asia-Pacific region and participated in the Okinawa Gunto Operation – the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto between 28th April and 18th May 1945. The vessel was decommissioned on 28th July 1946 and struck from the Naval Register. During this time it was awarded three awards including the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory medal. In October 1946 it was transferred to the Royal Thai Navy and renamed HTMS Kut LSM-731. It was decommissioned by the Navy in 2004 and was then used for spare parts.
So, the inspection of the boat was over and a final planning meeting was held to ensure that the crew of the tug boat which was given the job of towing the boat to Pattaya knew the exact point where the vessel had to be taken to. Before the boat left Samut Prakan for the last time, a touching ceremony was held before Dawn which offered the boat a safe final voyage.
On Saturday 16th September the final journey began to Pattaya. The journey took around 10 hours and on Saturday Night the boat was maneuvered into position and was now ready to be sunk. Final checks from a helicopter were made by senior staff from the Sattahip Navy Base and the final thumbs up were given.
On Sunday morning the last chapter in the boats history begun with a ceremony conducted by Admiral Satienrapan, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, he was joined by Khun Niran, the Mayor of Pattaya. A gun was fired into the sky and hundreds watched as the bow door was opened and the boat slowly sunk. After 30 minutes the boat had reached its final resting place, 33 meters under the sea.
So what now for the HTMS Kut ? It is sure to become one of the most popular dive sites here in Pattaya and will also provide an ideal environment for marine wildlife to flourish. There is already talk from some local dive centers who is to be the first company to be allowed to explore this fascinating piece of history lying in the waters off Pattaya. This is truly a massive boost for the local Tourism industry at a time when it needs it the most and will attract hundreds, if not thousands of amateur and professional divers to Pattaya to explore the site.
'State Railways of Thailand' has also entered into this project by sinking redundant freight wagons off the coast of Chonburi and Narathiwat Provinces. I may eventually rediscover some pictures on this project.