About Revisions Teshio Maru Palau More Info Max Depth: 71-80ft/22-24m Average Viz: 36-40ft/11-12m Entry Type: Boat Bottom Composition: Coral Aquatic Life: Might See Something 4/02/2015 8:18 AM LatitudeAdjustment

Teshio Maru is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Palau. The maximum depth is 71-80ft/22-24m. The average visibility is 36-40ft/11-12m.

The Teshio Maru along with several other ships tried to escape Palau waters ahead of Operation DESECRATE ONE on March 30, 1944 when she was disabled. She was headed north to the Toachel Mlengui Passage when she was strafed and bombed. Although not directly hit, she was crippled when the stern was staved in and the prop shaft bent by a bomb exploding along side the ship. The ship drifted along the main channel until it was beached on the reef. After being beached for a number of years, the Teshio Maru slipped off the reef and sank parallel to the underwater coral slope, coming to rest on her starboard side. After the war, while the ship was still on the reef, she was salvaged.

Marine life: Staghorn corals, plate corals, whip corals, black corals cover the wreck. Barracuda, Jacks, Groupers, Fusiliers, Anthias and other reef fish abound in and around the structures of the Teshio Maru.

Diving: Penetration of this wreck is not advised because the structures are very unstable. The wreck, one of the most beautiful in Palau, attracts an abundance of fish and is covered by various species of hard coral. Lighting, corals and fish life make this wreck a photographers dream.

Fascinating Facts: According to author and WWII wreck expert, Dan Bailey, the Teshio Maru had been bombed and strafed while on a re-supply run to Wewak, New Hollandia. This occurred just weeks before she was fatally crippled in Palau tying to out run U.S. Navy pilots during Operation DESECRATE ONE. IMPORTANT: On this ship, as with all ship and plane wrecks in Palau waters, live ammunition can be found. A work of caution: DO NOT PICK UP ANY AMMUNITION!!!! Due to the age of the bullets, bombs, mortars, etc., these pieces of history are very unstable and can explode.